Authorship History
Revised and updated by Charlie Amiot, Dec. 2017.
Originally created by Mary Whisner, with updates by other librarians and interns.
Researching Judicial Clerkship Opportunities
This guide covers U.S. (federal), Washington State, and other state court clerkships.
UW Law students, see information posted at: University of Washington School of Law Judicial Clerkships Program. Professor Ben Halasz is the current Director of the Judicial Clerkship Program. If you are interested in clerking, fill out the Clerkship Interest Form.
Note: Some databases and links noted are UW Restricted.
Resources About Careers & the Legal Profession
- Diversity in the Legal Profession [Gallagher Law Library]Includes advice (for both employers and individuals), academic studies, and profiles.
- Leadership & Other Soft SkillsHow can you learn leadership, teamwork, cultural competence, and other "soft skills"?
This guide presents a variety of books. Most are aimed at the general reader (i.e., they are not aimed at Ph.D. researchers in organizational behavior). - Legal Specialties & Practice SettingsIncludes books and other resources about specialties (e.g., personal injury), practice settings (e.g., firm vs. government), and alternatives to law practice.
- Professional ResponsibilityIncludes Rules of Professional Conduct, ethics opinions, treatises.
- Where will your Legal Education Take You?Explore over 30 different legal career paths.
Other Guides
- Researching Judges and Judicial Clerkships [UNC]From University of North Carolina Law Library.
General Reading
What do law clerks do? How do I get a clerkship?
The All-Inclusive Guide to Judicial Clerking by Publication Date: 2017Also available through West Academic Study Aids online
Behind the Bench by Publication Date: 2017
A Guide for Tribal Court Law Clerks and Judges (e-book) by Publication Date: 2007From Univ. of Colorado Law School American Indian Law Clinic.
In Chambers: A Guide for Judicial Clerks and Externs by Publication Date: 2012
In Chambers: stories of Supreme Court law clerks and their Justices by Publication Date: 2012Available online through ProquestJudicial Clerkships by
Publication Date: 2010Judicial Clerkships by
Publication Date: 2011- Law Clerk Handbook: A Handbook for Law Clerks to Federal Judges, 3d ed. (e-book) by Publication Date: 2017
Of Courtiers and Kings: more stories of Supreme Court law clerks and their justices by Publication Date: 2015
- A Peek Behind the Curtain: The Inner-Workings of the Judiciary, and Why Judges Should Address the Lack of Diversity Among Law ClerksAn article from the ABA Appellate Issues publication with an overview of the role of judicial clerks, the selection process, and the importance of diversity among clerks.