Acing the clerkship interview

Dozens of USC Law 3Ls will join students across the nation as they vie for judicial clerkships during the coming weeks.

The rush to interview potential clerks – as many as eight each day – is on, as Sept. 14 marked the first day judges began contacting applicants. The interviews will start Thursday, Sept. 21, and may continue for a few days to a few weeks, depending on the judge.

Mike Lee '06, David Booher '04, and Alex Susman '04 offer clerkship interview tips

Three USC Law grads who survived interviews in previous years and were offered or have completed clerkships met with students on Sept. 14 to offer personal advice for acing the one-on-one with the judge.

Mike Lee ’06, David Booher ’04 and Alexandra Susman ’04 spoke at a workshop hosted by the Career Services Office, where they emphasized maintaining a professional demeanor during any meeting with the judge or the judge’s clerks, and doing plenty of research.

What to expect

If a student is contacted for an interview, it is because the judge already is impressed by the student’s academic performance.

Help from USC Law The Career Services Office is available to assist students throughout the clerkship application process. For more information, to obtain a “How to prepare for clerkship interviews” packet, or to schedule a mock interview, contact Priya Sridharan, assistant director of career services, in Room 110 or at 740-7397.

“It’s different from other law firm interviews in that the judge wants to find someone he can get along and work closely with,” said Lee, who will clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess. “The clerks want to make sure you can do the work.”

The judge will want to speak substantively about the law and will have applicants’ writing samples. “It’s good to know going in what the judge’s particular interests are, and be prepared to talk about those areas,” said Susman, who clerked for Judge Raymond C. Fisher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

How to prepare

Reading a judge’s opinions and researching articles by or about the judge will prepare applicants to answer questions about why they want to clerk at a particular court or for a specific judge. Research also will prepare applicants to ask questions of their own.

The grads also offered some “don’ts,” including: don’t get too relaxed, even if the judge is being personable and casual; and don’t forget the thank-you card (no e-mails).

“Don’t assume you know a judge’s political position,” Susman said. “Judges really do want to know the law, and your job will be to research the law and report what you find. If they feel that you are going to be biased in any way, they’re probably not going to hire you.”

Offers and acceptances

Time and again the alumni panelists said that applicants should only interview with a judge if they are prepared to immediately accept an offer. Some judges will make an offer on the spot; others will make an offer within a day or two, but will expect an answer right away. Asking for time to consider an offer is seen as poor etiquette, and the judge may revoke it.

Booher, who will clerk for U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins, said students should not be discouraged if they do not receive any offers: He re-applied after two years of practice and was hired by the only judge to which he applied.