Course Details

Description:

Each student is assigned to a judge and serves as a part-time law clerk for one semester. Positions are available with federal district, bankruptcy, and magistrate judges, with state court of appeals and district court judges, and with tribal courts. Every effort is made to place students according to their expressed preferences among the courts. The students prepare research memoranda, observe judicial proceedings, and participate in the drafting of opinions and orders. A student will work for a judge for 100 hours (2 credits) or for 150 hours (3 credits), as agreed with the judge. In addition, students will periodically attend a one hour seminar in which readings on the judicial process will be discussed and will view a judicial training session. Initial enrollment is limited to 30 students, but students on the waiting list will be added to the class as the number of confirmed judicial assignments increases. The periodic class meetings will be held during the noon hour. A complete schedule will be distributed at the first class meeting. You should arrange your class schedule so you have several large blocks of time available to work for a judge; free mornings are especially important for attending court hearings.