USC Gould Graduates Secure 18 Clerkship Positions

Clerkships offer unique post-graduate opportunity -By Gilien Silsby

The Class of 2015 is invited to learn more about clerking at the Board of Councilors' Clerkship Reception on Tues., Oct. 2nd, at 5-7pm at Town & Gown. Please rsvp with Events.

USC Gould School of Law graduates secured 18 federal and state judicial clerkships this year from around the country, including positions in the 3rd, 5th and 9th Circuits of the U.S. Courts of Appeals.

The clerkships – considered a capstone experience following graduation - offer a unique and challenging post-graduate opportunity, said USC Gould Prof. Hannah Garry, chair of USC Gould’s Clerkship Committee.

“It is a prestigious honor to clerk for a judge, and a highly useful experience,” Garry said. “Not only do you become part of the decision-making process, influencing the outcome of cases as well as the development of the law in specific areas, but no matter what area of law you end up practicing, you are prepared to be a more successful lawyer in the process.”

Erica Lee '12 is currently clerking for the Hon. Mark Wallace (C.D. Cal.)

Clerkships are considered among the most competitive employment opportunities available to recent graduates. This year, USC Gould graduates are clerking for judges throughout the country, including in courts in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Delaware and California. “We are very proud of our graduates,” said USC Gould Dean Robert K. Rasmussen. “Clerkships offer unique exposure and unparalleled access to the judicial process. Furthermore, they open doors to other career opportunities for graduates that wouldn’t otherwise be available to them.” In their new roles, the clerks will gain invaluable practical experience, including conducting legal research, analyzing parties’ briefs, drafting decisions, thinking analytically and strategically about the law and learning the customs of various types of practitioners. Steven Stein ’12, who recently began a clerkship for Judge Stephen Higginson on the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans, has been interested in clerking since starting law school. He secured a judicial externship after his first year at USC Gould, experiencing his first behind-the-scenes glimpse into how courts and chambers operate. “I knew after my externship, I wanted to clerk for a judge,” Stein said. “When I got the opportunity to clerk for Judge Higginson it was too good to pass up. The work I’m doing will be great preparation for litigation.” After his clerkship in New Orleans, Stein plans to start work as an associate at Greenberg Glusker in Century City, Calif. Clerking broadens future employment opportunities, as many top firms make it a priority to attract former clerks. It is also a valuable experience for graduates who are planning to work for other types of employers, including government agencies. Anna Lee ’12 decided to apply for a clerkship after realizing that private practice was not for her. “Ultimately, I want to work for the Department of Justice, and I thought a judicial clerkship would be a good first step,” she said. Lee is currently working for Judge Priscilla Owen, on the 5th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals, in Austin, Texas. She was not dissuaded by relocating. “It may seem like a hassle to move and get settled, but I took that as an opportunity to explore and work in another thriving major U.S. city,” she said. The competition for federal clerkships in particular can be fierce. Judges typically look for students with good grades who demonstrate strong legal writing and analysis skills; have a position on law review or another journal or have published an article; and have completed an externship while in law school, said Garry, who clerked for Judge Rosemary Barkett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. That said, “coming from a top law school, USC Gould graduates have a competitive advantage for securing a clerkship,” Garry said. “It’s also important to develop relationships with your professors because they can offer important advice for applying, as well as write letters of recommendation, which judges rely upon heavily in making their decisions,” she said. Kathleen Jones ’12, who is clerking for Judge Ruggero J. Aldisert of the 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, said she was well prepared for her clerkship. “USC Gould certainly helped prepare me for this opportunity,” Jones said.  “I recommend taking advantage of USC’s judicial externship opportunities. Externing confirmed for me that I wanted to clerk, and gave me things to talk about in my clerkship interview. It made the whole application process a little less intimidating.” Chelsea Dal Corso '12 agreed. She is currently clerking for the Hon. Marvin Isgur in Texas, and said law school helped build her writing and analytical skills. "Law school has generally helped me to think differently, which I think will help me when working on cases. I am more confident in my decisions and more confident in my work."

USC Law graduates will be clerking for judges at courts throughout the nation, including:

·     John Baumann, for the Honorable Jerome Farris (9th Cir.) ·     Courtney Burten, for the Honorable Victoria Kaufman (C.D. Cal.) (Bankruptcy Judge) ·     Aaron Chiu for the Honorable Johnnie Rawlinson (9th Cir.) ·     Chelsea Dal Corso, for the Honorable Marvin Isgur (S.D. Tex.) (Bankruptcy Judge) ·     Amanda Farfel, for the Honorable Ernest Robles (C.D. Cal.) (Bankruptcy Judge) & the Honorable Ferdinand Fernandez (9th Cir.) (2013-2014) ·     Brianne Jackson, for the Honorable James Mahan (D. Nev.) ·     Katie Jones, for the Honorable Ruggero Aldisert (3rd Cir.)

·     Catherine Karayan for the Honorable Kathleen Kerrigan (Tax Court) 

·     Anna Lee, for the Honorable Priscilla Owen (5th Cir.) ·     Erica Lee, for the Honorable Mark Wallace (C.D. Cal.) (Bankruptcy Judge) ·     Bradley Marrett, for the Honorable Manuel Real (C.D. Cal.) ·     David Needham for the Honorable Patrick Walsh (C.D. Cal.) (Magistrate Judge) &  the Honorable Diana Saldana (S.D. Tex.)  (2013-2014) ·     Wen Shen, for the Honorable George King (C.D. Cal.) ·     Rebekah Strawn, for the Honorable James Browning (D. New Mex.) ·     Steven Stein for the Honorable Stephen A. Higginson (5th Cir.) ·     Audrey Tan, for the Honorable James Selna (C.D. Cal.)