Former clerks tell students how to maximize their chances
—By Kendall Davis
A panel of two alumni and one current student gathered at USC Law Feb. 25 to discuss clerkship opportunities with first- and second-year students.
Sarah Stevenson ’01, a staff attorney for the United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit, Eleanor Mercado ’05, an associate with Paul Hastings, and Victor Elias, a third-year student, all said their experiences as clerks were invaluable.
“No amount of schooling was as helpful or useful as my clerkship,” Mercado said.
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| Sarah Stevenson '01 |
“Clerking is good because it gives you a definite background and context within which to frame your future as a lawyer,” she said.
In preparing to pursue a clerkship, students may consider a judicial externship, which can also help them decide where they want to clerk.
“It would give you experience, which is always a good thing,” Elias said.
A worry of many law students, which Mercado said she once shared, is that grades are the most important part of the candidate selection process for clerkships.
“Obviously, grades mattered, but getting involved with journals and any sort of writing helps set you apart,” Mercado said.
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| Eleanor Mercado '05 |
“The writing sample was important, as well as the resume … but ultimately the interview is what mattered,” Mercado said.
The interview matters not only because it is the final stage of candidacy, but also because it is a showcase of intangible skills.
“(Judges) want to see hard work. They want to see if you can engage them with enthusiasm and poise … if you are smart enough to hold a conversation,” Mercado said, adding that judges will also consider interpersonal skills when it comes to secretarial and other staff.
In closing, Mercado reiterated the value of a clerkship position to students’ future careers.
“Clerking starts you ahead of the line, which is essential if you are trying to make partner,” she said. “People look at you differently.”
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