1Ls encouraged to pursue judicial clerkships
by Darren Schenck
Six weeks into their law school experience, scores of USC Gould 1Ls learned that it is not too early to think about doing a judicial clerkship after they graduate.
Dave Walsh '85
That message—along with a laundry list of reasons for pursuing these prestigious positions—was delivered by a former California Supreme Court justice and several former clerks at the annual First-Year Law Student Clerkship Reception. The event, held Oct. 2 at USC’s Town & Gown, was presented by the law school’s Board of Councilors, an advisory group of accomplished alumni and friends who provide strategic guidance and support for the law school.
Dean Robert K. Rasmussen told students it was important to learn about the value of judicial clerkships early in their legal education. He also encouraged the 1Ls to take advantage of the opportunity to network with the attorneys and former clerks in attendance.
“We want you to get comfortable talking with other lawyers,” he said. “This is the best time to start to do that.”
Dave Walsh ’85, chair of the Board of Councilors’ Clerkship Committee and a partner at Paul Hastings, opened the evening by saying the year he spent clerking was the most rewarding of his professional career.
You’ll meet many people who’ll say they wish they had clerked,” Walsh said. “You will absolutely, most assuredly never meet one who says he wishes he hadn’t.”
Justice Carlos Moreno (Ret.)
Walsh also acknowledged the law firms who generously sponsored the event: O’Melveny & Myers, Morrison Foerster, Irell & Manella, Gibson Dunn, Sidley Austin, Jones Day, Munger, Tolles & Olson, and Paul Hastings.
Erica Reilley, a partner at Jones Day and a former law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge William J. Rea, counted down five reasons students should pursue a clerkship.
“The fifth reason is undeniable resume value: having that experience adds a certain level of credential to the overall package you present,” she said. “The next reason is that a clerkship gives you more options.”
Reilley said a clerkship also provides exposure to a wide range of case experience in very short time.
“It’s one of those things you don’t really appreciate as you are going through it, but the experience seeps into your bones,” she said. “It comes out later when you’re handling matters, working with clients and analyzing issues.”
Reilley said that a clerkship also provides a better perspective of the judicial process.
“It’s only one year of your life,” she said. “The benefit you will get from it far outweighs any sort of downside you may see.”
Walsh then introduced Justice Carlos Moreno (Ret.), who has served as a judge in municipal court, superior court, federal district court, and eventually in the California Supreme Court. He is Of Counsel at Irell & Manella.
In lieu of listing Moreno’s career highlights, Walsh encouraged the students simply to search for the justice on Google.
Justice Moreno emphasized that one can never start thinking about a clerkship too soon.
“It will enhance your career, you will develop analytical and writing skills, you will build what will be lifetime relationships,” he said. “Having an experience as a clerk is going to give you unique insights into the judicial and litigation processes in particular. If you don’t know what kind of case piques your interest, a district court clerkship will certainly satisfy your palette—and that’s not saying anything about the wide variety of criminal cases you would see.”
Justice Moreno told students that clerking also will allow students to watch lawyers argue in trials and to observe how different judges run their courts.
“It’s a terrific entrée into the law firm practice,” he said. “Besides getting these huge bonuses if you do clerk, law firms like that you’ve had that sort of apprenticeship after law school, that you’ve had some personal contact with a judge.”
Justice Moreno said that the greatest value of a clerkship was the relationships that one develops with the judge and co-clerks.
“All of you are masters of social media… but it really is still a people profession,” he said. “Whether you’re picking a jury, negotiating a case, or building your practice, you have to be able to present yourself and communicate in an articulate, persuasive, and friendly way.”
Prof. Hannah Garry, chair of the law school’s faculty clerkship committee and director of the International Human Rights Clinic, closed the program by talking about her own experience as a clerk and offering tips for students seeking clerkships.
“The most important thing you can do is focus on your classes. Work on your legal writing skills, legal research and writing classes,” she said. “Judges value an externship experience, which can lead to a clerkship following law school. And develop relationships with faculty here in the law school” who can provide references or make phone calls on a student’s behalf.
Garry also encouraged students to contact her or other committee members with any questions they may have.
The committee will host an information session, “Clerkships 101,” on Oct. 31. Learn more about clerkships.
From left: Justice Moreno, Walsh, Erica Reilley, Dean Robert Rasmussen,
Prof. Hannah Garry
Reilley said that a clerkship also provides a better perspective of the judicial process.
“It’s only one year of your life,” she said. “The benefit you will get from it far outweighs any sort of downside you may see.”
Walsh then introduced Justice Carlos Moreno (Ret.), who has served as a judge in municipal court, superior court, federal district court, and eventually in the California Supreme Court. He is Of Counsel at Irell & Manella.
In lieu of listing Moreno’s career highlights, Walsh encouraged the students simply to search for the justice on Google.
Justice Moreno emphasized that one can never start thinking about a clerkship too soon.
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Reilley said that a clerkship also provides a better perspective of the judicial process.
“It’s only one year of your life,” she said. “The benefit you will get from it far outweighs any sort of downside you may see.”
Walsh then introduced Justice Carlos Moreno (Ret.), who has served as a judge in municipal court, superior court, federal district court, and eventually in the California Supreme Court. He is Of Counsel at Irell & Manella.
In lieu of listing Moreno’s career highlights, Walsh encouraged the students simply to search for the justice on Google.
Justice Moreno emphasized that one can never start thinking about a clerkship too soon.
“It will enhance your career, you will develop analytical and writing skills, you will build what will be lifetime relationships,” he said. “Having an experience as a clerk is going to give you unique insights into the judicial and litigation processes in particular. If you don’t know what kind of case piques your interest, a district court clerkship will certainly satisfy your palette—and that’s not saying anything about the wide variety of criminal cases you would see.”
Justice Moreno told students that clerking also will allow students to watch lawyers argue in trials and to observe how different judges run their courts.
“It’s a terrific entrée into the law firm practice,” he said. “Besides getting these huge bonuses if you do clerk, law firms like that you’ve had that sort of apprenticeship after law school, that you’ve had some personal contact with a judge.”
Justice Moreno said that the greatest value of a clerkship was the relationships that one develops with the judge and co-clerks.
“All of you are masters of social media… but it really is still a people profession,” he said. “Whether you’re picking a jury, negotiating a case, or building your practice, you have to be able to present yourself and communicate in an articulate, persuasive, and friendly way.”
Prof. Hannah Garry, chair of the law school’s faculty clerkship committee and director of the International Human Rights Clinic, closed the program by talking about her own experience as a clerk and offering tips for students seeking clerkships.
“The most important thing you can do is focus on your classes. Work on your legal writing skills, legal research and writing classes,” she said. “Judges value an externship experience, which can lead to a clerkship following law school. And develop relationships with faculty here in the law school” who can provide references or make phone calls on a student’s behalf.
Garry also encouraged students to contact her or other committee members with any questions they may have.
The committee will host an information session, “Clerkships 101,” on Oct. 31. Learn more about clerkships.
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