Judicial Externships: Research and Resources: General Reference

The All-Inclusive Guide to Judicial Clerking is a comprehensive resource ideal for current and prospective law clerks and judicial externs as well as law professors who teach judicial drafting courses or direct judicial externship programs. The book explores the purpose and function of a law clerk, the nature and structure of the judiciary, how to apply for and obtain a clerkship, and most importantly, how to perform it well. Among other things, the book explains how to draft judicial opinions, bench memos, orders, and chambers correspondence as well as how to prepare for oral argument, hearings, and trials. It also discusses judicial ethics, professionalism, confidentiality, courtroom decorum, docket management, and other issues that law clerks commonly encounter. The book breaks down complex tasks, such as opinion drafting, into a series of simple, concrete steps and provides checklists, graphical illustrations, annotated judicial opinions, and sample emails, letters, and samples of other documents that law clerks often prepare. The book also shares practical guidance gleaned from law clerks who have served judges across America.

Judicial Clerkships: A Practical Guide is a comprehensive guide to working as a judicial clerk. The book explains (1) the role and duties of judicial clerks, (2) how to adapt the writing style used in law school classes and journals for use in the judicial clerkship setting, and (3) the form and content of specific documents written by judicial clerks. The book discusses how to write bench memoranda, opinion drafts, orders, findings of fact and conclusions of law, jury instructions, and letters and other professional correspondence. In addition to explaining how to write specific documents, the book reviews the fundamentals of good writing, research, and citation.

In Chambers is a refreshingly brief and focused book that addresses the key concepts and basic skills clerks and externs need to have on day one. It explains rudimentary tasks, such as reading a docket sheet and working with a case file, and offers detailed instructions on drafting jury instructions. Sources of authority commonly relied upon by the courts are identified for specific topics, and a helpful note-taking system is provided. Standards of review are covered in detail, including the standard for mixed questions of fact and law. Useful checklists are provided as well for drafting documents.

Author Debra M. Strauss explains all aspects of clerkships-what clerkships are, what kind of work clerks do, why you should apply, how to find and apply for the type of clerkship that would be right for you, how to give a strong interview, and why clerkships give you stellar credentials that prospective employers will actively seek out. For additional career resources, visit the AttorneyJobs Web site.