This blog post is part of our ongoing guest Blog Series: “Opportunity Knocks.” For a full schedule, please see: http://law.scu.edu/lcs-blog/upcoming-blog-series-opportunity-knocks/
Why wouldn’t every law student apply for a judicial externship? This is the question I often asked myself after working for the Honorable Paul S. Grewal of the Northern District of California in San Jose.
My experience working in federal court alongside other law students, judicial clerks, and an extremely brilliant and influential Judge, was one of the highlights of my law school career. I actually attribute much of my job search success to my judicial externship. It provided me with invaluable experience and instant credibility when speaking with firm recruiters. This is because many attorneys at top law firms have worked for a judge in some capacity or another during their legal careers. They instantly respect the experience a judicial externship provides and actively recruit those who have it.
As an extern for Judge Grewal, I was given much of the responsibilities of a full-time judicial clerk. I was also treated like one. I received my own case load and was responsible for attending court hearings, researching relevant case law, drafting opinions, and consulting with the Judge and his clerks. I was part of his team.
Probably the most incredible part of the whole experience was watching the Judge in action, both in the court room and in his chambers. I had the ability to watch lawyers argue their respective sides, and then hear the Judge speak openly and bluntly about what he heard and thought. This was an extremely eye-opening experience that, unfortunately, few lawyers get to experience. I got to see how a judge thinks and operates behind closed doors. Not only that, I was actually part of the discussion in many cases and was able to voice my own opinion about how the judge should rule. These are experiences that any lawyer would desire to better their practice of the law, especially in a litigation context.
Judicial externships, especially in the federal courts, can be pretty hard to come by. While very competitive, I think the biggest reason for this is the lack of clarity in the application process. In my limited experience, very few positions are posted anywhere online. Although I found my position through SCU Law Jobs, I think this method is the exception rather than the rule. While constantly checking SCU Law Jobs is advisable, I would also recommend taking a more proactive approach.
Many judges do not use conventional methods of hiring, so it is necessary to figure out what each judge prefers. Calling the judge’s chambers directly is the best way to accomplish this. A judicial clerk will likely answer and can tell you several important things – whether the judge will be hiring externs in the near future, in what manner the judge prefers you apply, how many externs the judge is looking for, and what materials you should provide when applying. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and cold call chambers. You really have nothing to lose.
Working for a judge is a great way to spend your 1L summer. However, be on the lookout for opportunities during the school year as well. I externed during the fall semester of my 2L year and I would highly encourage all law students to seize the opportunity whenever it presents itself. A judicial externship looks great on a resume, provides invaluable experience, and can provide mentors and friends that last a lifetime.
Nicholas E. Ham
Nicholas E. Ham is an associate in Morrison & Foerster’s Litigation Group in the Palo Alto office. In addition to externing to The Honorable Paul S. Grewal of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California, Mr. Ham received his J.D., cum laude, from Santa Clara University School of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. Mr. Ham also earned the School of Law’s High Tech Law Certificate, with a specialization in Intellectual Property. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office and can be contacted at nham@mofo.com.
