Judicial Clerkships
A judicial clerkship is one of the most prestigious and intellectually rewarding ways to begin a legal career. Clerks work closely with judges on legal research, drafting opinions, and analyzing complex legal issues. These roles offer unmatched insight into the judicial process, unparalleled opportunities to hone legal writing skills, and are a valuable stepping stone to careers in litigation, academia, public service and more.
A Record of Success
亚洲自慰视频 Dedman Law graduates have secured clerkships at all levels of the judiciary including:
- U.S. District Courts
- U.S. Courts of Appeals
- Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- State Appellate and Trial Courts Across the Country
Support in the Process
The Office of Career Services and the Faculty Clerkship Committee provide robust support throughout the entire clerkship process, including:
- Individualized advising and clerkship strategy planning
- Resume and cover letter review tailored to judges’ preferences
- Hard copy application packet creation
- OSCAR (Online System for Clerkship Application and Review) navigation
- Guidance on strong letters of recommendation
- Faculty mentorship and former clerk and judge-alumni connections
Judicial Internships and Externships
Clerkship preparation begins in law school. Many students intern with judges during the summer and participate in our Federal Judicial Externship Course. Working in chambers helps students build essential research and writing skills while exposing students to chambers culture and the role of a clerk.
The Federal Judicial Externship Course is an academic program that combines a 9-week judicial writing class with hands-on field work in the chambers of a federal circuit, district, magistrate, or bankruptcy judge in the 5th Circuit, Northern District of Texas, or Eastern District of Texas. Externs work directly with the judge and judicial law clerks.
The classroom component is co-taught by Senior District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater and Dr. Beverly Dureus, Clinical Professor of Law. Students complete 120 hours in chambers.
Programming and Resources
We offer a range of programs and tools to help students explore and prepare for clerkships:
- Judicial clerkship panels with judges and/or alumni clerks
- Mock interviews with the Faculty Clerkship Committee
- Panels and Programs featuring judges
- Individualized advising with the Office of Career Services
Ready to get Started?
Contact the Director for Judicial Internships, Externships, and Clerkships:
Director – Judicial Internships, Externships, and Clerkships
Office of Career Services
214.768.4049
#34 in the nation for the Class of 2022 for placing students in judicial clerkships directly following graduation (law.com)
| 2025 Term | 2024 Term | 2023 Term | 2022 Term | |
| Federal Circuit Court | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| Federal District Court | 18 | 15 | 18 | 13 |
| Federal Bankruptcy Court | - | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| State Supreme Court | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| State Appellate or Trial Court | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 27 | 32 | 36 | 28 |
**Numbers above reflect the number of graduates clerking in these courts during the term.