2014-15 center for law & public service clerk manual€¦ · federal salaries are set by pay...

24
Judicial Clerkship Manual 2014-2015 WVU College of Law Center for Law & Public Service WVULAW

Upload: others

Post on 26-Aug-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

Judicial Clerkship Manual 2014-2015

WVU College of Law Center for Law & Public Service

WVULAW

Page 2: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

1

Contents I. Introduction ....................................................................................2

II. Why Should I Consider a Clerkship? ........................................... 2

III. Types of Clerkships......................................................................3

a. Federal Clerkships................................................................3

b. State Clerkships....................................................................5

IV. What are Judges Looking for in a Clerk?......................................7

V. Getting the Application Process Started………………………….7

a. Choose Where and to Whom to Apply…………………......7

b. When and How to Apply……………………………………8

VI. Getting Your Application Materials Together……………………9

a. Letters of Recommendation…………………………………10

b. Writing Sample……………………………………………...11

c. Cover Letter………………………………………………….11

d. Résumé………………………………………………………11

VII. The Interview…………………………………………………….11

VIII. Offers……………………………………………………………12

IX. Improving Your Chances of Getting a Clerkship…………………12

Attachments:

A. How to Address Judges in Correspondence……….……………..14

B. Sample Cover Letters…………………………….………………15

C. Sample Résumé ………………………………….……………….16

D. How to Dress for Your Interviews……………………………….17

E. List of Faculty who Have Clerked……………………………….20

F. List of WVU College of Law Alumni who are Judges…….…….21

G. List of WVU College of Law Alumni who Have Been Clerks…..23

Page 3: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

2

I. Introduction Many lawyers who have clerked for a judge describe their clerkships as one of the defining moments of their legal careers. A law clerk serves as a close advisor to a judge and is uniquely positioned to gain an inside perspective on how courts make decisions. In fact, many judges consult extensively with clerks because they have no one else with whom to speak freely concerning lawyers and cases. Most clerks find that their experiences behind the bench and the ensuing relationships with their judge pave the way for a fulfilling legal career. A clerkship can bolster the strength of your candidacy for post-clerkship positions with law firms and other public and private legal employers; it can even serve as a building block for a career in academia. As a law clerk, you will be exposed to many different areas of law and many different styles of lawyering. The concrete job skills earned on the job while clerking translate well to almost any field of law including, not only litigation, but also transactional practice, public policy, and corporate work. Judicial clerkships are highly competitive, especially at the federal level. Although any student with a genuine interest should consider one, class ranking and academic performance will greatly dictate a student’s opportunity to land a clerkship. This guide will explain what a judicial clerkship entails, help you evaluate what types of clerkships may best suit you, and discuss aspects of the application, interview, and acceptance process. Perhaps the most important thing to remember as you consider applying and go through the process is to avail yourself of the resources at the law school, including the Center for Law & Public Service. Obtaining a judicial clerkship takes research and planning; not only can we direct you to resource materials, but also we can help you prepare cover letters and other application materials, conduct mock interviews, direct you to alumni, and more. Sometimes the difference between success and failure is asking for help. II. Why a Clerkship? The benefits of a clerkship may vary depending on the responsibilities given to the clerk, which in turn depends upon the type of court (federal or state, appellate or trial) and the particular judge. Benefits generally may include the following: v Gain insight into the judicial process;

v Develop legal research, writing, and analytical skills further;

v Understand the practical decisions that lawyers face;

v Learn effective advocacy skills;

v Observe good (and bad) litigation tactics including what makes a good brief, how to draft a good

persuasive argument, and what a judge does/does not want;

v Obtain exposure to many areas of the law;

v Initiate a mentor relationship with a judge;

v Gain exposure to the profession and the lawyers within a given substantive or geographic area; and

v Give back to the community through public service.

Page 4: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

3

III. Types of Clerkships a. Federal Clerkships United States Supreme Court These are the most prestigious and competitive of all the judicial clerkships available. The court consists of the Chief Justice and eight associate justices. The justices are authorized to hire four clerks each, with the exception of the Chief Justice, who may hire five. Retired Justices can hire one clerk (whose work will vary from working with the retired Justices as they “ride circuit” on the Circuit Court of Appeals to being on loan as a clerk to the Justice who replaced the retired Justice.) Justices usually hire clerks who have clerked for at least one year for another judge, often at the federal appellate level. Federal Appellate Courts (U.S. Courts of Appeal) There are thirteen such courts: the Federal Circuit (which hears appeals from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and patent-infringement cases from the U.S. District Courts), D.C. Circuit, and First through Eleventh Circuits. Each judge may have up to four clerks. Circuit court clerkships typically last for one year. Occasionally, judges hire term clerks to serve for two years. A judge will offer both one-year and two-year clerkships. Clerks for Circuit Court judges have often previously clerked for either a U.S. District Court judge or a high-level state appellate court. Federal Trial Courts (U.S. District Courts) There are ninety-four judicial districts throughout the country and U.S. territories. District Court judges are primarily responsible for hearing civil and criminal cases and sometimes appeals from specialized federal courts. Each judge may have up to two clerks. Most District Court judges hire their clerks for one year only, but two-year clerkships are possible. A Note on Magistrate Judges Apart from District Court Judges, each United States District Court has Magistrate judges. A Magistrate judge is a federal trial judge appointed by the District Court judges to serve for a term of eight years. The role of Magistrate judges varies from district to district. In many districts, District Court judges assign, with the consent of the parties, civil cases to Magistrate judges for trial and pre-trial matters. Similarly, criminal cases are assigned to Magistrate judges on the consent of the parties, except for the trial of felony cases. In other districts, Magistrate judges do not regularly try cases but instead are primarily responsible for preliminary matters, such as the discovery process in civil cases and arraignment in criminal cases. Magistrates typically hire one clerk. U.S. Bankruptcy Courts Each district of the United States has a Bankruptcy Court. Most judges have clerks; some employ career clerks. If you want to practice bankruptcy law, there is no better clerkship than this one. Specialized Courts Most judges in the special courts listed below employ clerks, although qualifications vary and may include experience with another court or in practice. U.S. Court of Federal Claims This Court hears suits by individuals and businesses (other than tax matters) against the federal government.

Page 5: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

4

U.S. Court of International Trade This Court hears tariff conflicts and appeals from the United States International Trade Commission (which investigates and issues rulings concerning unfair practices in import trade). Each judge on the Court lists his or her hiring practices and the names of the current clerks at http://www.cit.uscourts.gov/Judges/judges.htm. Judges from this Court require a two-year commitment. U.S. Tax Court This Court hears taxpayer appeals involving income, estate, and gift taxes. U.S. Court of Military Appeals This Court is composed of three civilian judges who review court martial conventions. U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals This Court reviews decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Administrative Law Judges The federal government employs over 1,000 judges in 28 administrative agencies who hear cases pertaining to their particular agency. Some hire clerks. The Want’s Federal-State Court Directory contains a list of the administrative agencies with ALJs. Compensation Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start at federal pay grade JSP-11. Many locations have a cost of living adjustment. Judges may at their discretion start clerks at a higher pay step based on experience, grades, law review participation, work in a legal aid clinic, and other factors. For multiple-year clerks, judges typically increase the clerk’s pay grade to JSP-12 after one year. A complete listing of federal pay grades and steps can be found at www.uscourts.gov/Careers/Compensation/JudiciarySalaryPlanPayRates.aspx. In addition, federal clerkships may yield significant long-term financial and promotional benefits. Federal clerks who enter private practice following a term clerkship typically receive a judicial clerkship bonus (as much as $50,000 at large law firms in larger legal markets for a single year or $70,000 for two years) and receive firm “credit” in both pay and promotion. Thus, for example, if a graduate clerks one year for a federal District Court judge and then one year for a federal Court of Appeals judge, the student could (in a large market, such as Los Angeles or New York) receive a starting bonus of up to $70,000 and two years of seniority for promotion purposes and compensation credit, such that the attorney would begin as a third-year associate. Most firms do not offer such generous bonuses, but many will count time spent clerking toward advancement within the firm. Some firms will also allow a new associate to defer the start date to complete a clerkship. If you spend time as a summer associate at a firm, it is important to verify your firm’s policy on judicial clerkships. Graduates wishing to work for the federal government after completing their clerkship also receive credit for their time spent as clerks. The federal pay grades apply to federal government attorneys with advancement based partially on years of work experience. For federal attorney positions, time spent as a judicial clerk counts year-for-year as attorney experience, allowing you to start at GS-12 after a one-year clerkship, or at GS-13 after a two-year clerkship.

Page 6: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

5

b. State Clerkships Students who are interested in clerking for a state Supreme Court, intermediate appellate court, or trial court should explore openings and the application process for each state at the beginning of their second year of law school. To learn about the application process for any state court clerkship, students should consult the State Judicial Clerkships Guide. Search this guide using law school’s subscription to find information about state judicial clerkships in all states. Access the guide at http://forms.vermontlaw.edu/career/guides/ Enter “sugar” in the username box and “maple” in the password box to access the guide. The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Justices ’ Personal and Per Curiam Law Clerks: • Justices of the WV Supreme Court of Appeals are elected to 12-year terms. • Typically, each justice has two personal law clerks and one or two per curiam law clerks. • Justices often retain their personal and per curiam law clerks for several years, if not for the entire 12-year term, and potentially longer, if a justice is elected to more than one term. • When a justice needs to hire either a personal or per curiam law clerk, s/he has his/her own recruiting method. • To find out if either personal or per curiam clerks are currently being recruited, go to the Supreme Court’s webpage http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/jobann/jobs2.htm. • Salaries of the personal clerks and the per curiam clerks are set by each particular justice. The employment benefits, including health insurance, are uniform and are the same as those provided to other full-time employees of the Supreme Court. • The Supreme Court not only provides each clerk with office space and a computer with Internet and research capabilities, but also pays the clerk’s annual West Virginia bar dues. • Website (justice list/bios): http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/justices-staff.html. • For more information, contact:

Steven D. Canterbury Administrative Director of the Courts West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals State Capitol, Building 1, Room E-100 Charleston, WV 25305-0830 Phone: (304) 558-0145 Fax: (304) 558-1212

West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Workers ’ Compensation Writ Clerks • The Supreme Court of Appeals typically employs several workers’ compensation writ clerks. • Workers’ compensation writ clerks work under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Counsel and are responsible for assisting the justices in their initial review and consideration of workers’ compensation appeals and for drafting memorandum decisions. • Workers’ compensation writ clerks must have excellent oral and written communication skills. • Workers’ compensation writ clerks perform additional legal research and writing projects at the direction of

Page 7: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

6

the Chief Counsel and must possess strong legal research and analysis ability. • Salaries for these positions are set by the Supreme Court. The salary range is published when positions become available. The employment benefits, including health insurance, are uniform and are the same as those provided to other full-time employees of the Supreme Court. • Interested applicants should frequently monitor the Supreme Court’s website at http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/index.html and click on the “Jobs” section in order to determine the availability of positions. • Hiring for the Workers’ Compensation Writ Clerk positions is performed by the Office of Counsel for Workers’ Compensation Appeals. • The Supreme Court not only provides each clerk with office space and a computer with Internet and research capabilities, but also pays the clerk’s annual West Virginia bar dues. • For more information, contact:

Tomás R. Vernon, Esq. Deputy Counsel for Workers’ Compensation West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals State Capitol, Building 1, Room E-400 Charleston, WV 25305 Phone: (304) 558-4471 Fax: (304) 558-6045 Email: [email protected]

West Virginia Circuit Court Clerkships The circuit courts are West Virginia’s only trial courts of record. • West Virginia’s 55 counties are divided into 31 circuits with 70 circuit judges. The circuits range in size from one county with seven judges to four counties with one judge. • Clerks are hired directly by the circuit judge(s) from either the pool of qualified candidates screened by the Administrative Office or from outside the pool, provided that the candidate is first approved by the Administrative Office. • The minimum GPA for these positions is 2.2. Candidates being considered will be subject to a criminal background check. • All circuit judge law clerks must sit for the West Virginia Bar Examination each time that it is offered during their clerkships. Failure to pass the examination after two consecutive attempts will result in loss of employment. Examination failures predating judicial employment count toward the two attempts. • Salary: $46,416 per annum. $55,000 upon being granted membership in the WV Bar Association), plus benefits. The benefits, including health insurance, are uniform and are the same as those provided to other full-time employees of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court provides each clerk with a laptop computer with internet and research capabilities and a printer; it also pays the clerk’s annual West Virginia bar dues. • Applicants should frequently monitor the Supreme Court’s web page http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme- court/index.html for position postings, which describe the materials to be submitted for consideration for employment. New positions are posted as they become available. Each fall semester, representatives from the WV Supreme Court will come to the WVU College of Law to discuss the Circuit Court Clerkship program. Students who are interested in these positions should attend this informative session.

Page 8: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

7

Applying: The Administrative Office recruits and screens applicants year round to create a pool of qualified candidates from which the judges will hire. The majority of clerks are hired during the fall and early winter, but positions are open year-round. See website and job announcement for details. For more information, contact:

Sarah Johnson, Director of Special Projects Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia State Capitol, Building 1, Room E-100 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East Charleston, WV 25305

IV. What are Judges Looking for in a Clerk? The preferred qualifications for judicial clerkships can be as varied as the courts and judges themselves. Some clerkships are very competitive because of the particular judge, stature of the court, or a desirable geographic location, and competition at all levels has increased significantly in recent years. Many federal and state appellate judges value grades and may look only at students from the top 10% of the class. Historical data indicate that students near the top of their class rank have the best chance of obtaining clerkships. As with other jobs, the importance of where you are in the class may depend on the entirety of your credentials – i.e., other professional experiences and activities, pre-, during, or post-law school. Grades are also important for state trial court judges. It is more important to emphasize class rank than GPA because there is a trend toward grade inflation at many schools. Grades in particular courses, such as Federal Courts for federal clerkships, may also be important. If you are aiming for a federal or state appellate court clerkship, it will be to your advantage to “write on” to law review. Most judges value membership on a law review because it evidences your research, writing, and analytical skills and ability. Some judges will not consider any candidate who has not been a member of law review. Judges consider many additional factors: moot court experience, legal clinic experience, prior work experience and work during law school, extracurricular activities, interest in practicing in the community/state (particularly among trial court judges), and extremely strong recommendations (especially from professors, and especially if they have any connection to the court or judge). Your writing skills can also be demonstrated through other experiences and activities such as work product, excellent professor recommendations, or other published writings (legal or non-legal). Personality, character, and maturity may play a vital role in the decision process once you get an interview – a judge will want to see how you “fit” with the rest of his/her staff. V. Getting the Application Process Started a. Choose Where and to Whom to Apply Location Where do you want to clerk? What is the competition for the location? Popular locations tend to be more competitive. Would you like to live in the location for up to two years (if the clerkship is for a two-year term)? Do

Page 9: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

8

not apply where you absolutely would not go, but do not be too narrowly focused either. You would be surprised at how many clerks end up staying in the city where they clerked even though they had no intention to do so at the outset. Also, remember that a clerkship can be a great experience no matter where you are. Keep in mind that if you receive an interview, the government will not reimburse your travel expenses. Plan for these expenses when applying. Court Do you meet the court’s hiring criteria or have other qualifications that set you apart? Does the clerkship fit your goals for your legal career? If you aspire to a career as a litigation attorney, a clerkship with a trial court (state or federal) may provide an excellent learning experience. Can you accept the salary? Federal courts usually pay about $50,000 to $60,000 per annum for law clerks right out of school (depending on cost of living adjustments). West Virginia Circuit Court Clerks who are members of the West Virginia bar earn $55,008 per annum. The one or two years of experience at a lower salary, however, will usually pay off by opening future career opportunities. Judge The clerkship application process is one of the most competitive legal job markets in existence. Your focus should therefore be on location and the type of clerkship that suits you best. Biographies on federal judges may be found in Westlaw’s “AFJ” (Almanac of the Federal Judiciary) database. Number of Applications How many judges you decide to apply to may vary. Be realistic in deciding where to apply, but do not limit yourself. If getting a clerkship is extremely important, apply broadly to many different courts and geographic regions. However, the OSCAR system limits the number of applications an individual can submit to 100. At the other extreme, if you only want a clerkship with a particular judge or any judge within a particular city or state, then apply to a more limited number of judges. Do not apply to a judge if you are sure you would not accept a clerkship if an offer were extended; judges will often expect an immediate answer and you may not be able to wait until you hear from other judges. Do not refuse an offer from a judge. Finally, do not overlook applying to judges who have had many West Virginia University alumni work as interns, externs, or clerks. In addition, many alumni are themselves judges and are familiar with the school and its quality. Many federal judges have been to West Virginia University College of Law for training or for one of the many conferences the school has hosted. Given their familiarity with our school, these judges may be particularly interested in hiring WVU College of Law graduates. b. When and How to Apply Federal Courts Note: The Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan has been discontinued, and no further dates are being set. Now, each judge determines his or her own recruitment and hiring schedule. When to apply Generally, judges begin accepting applications during second-year students’ spring semester through that summer. Some judges make decisions on a rolling basis (they view applications as they receive them and make decisions at that time), but other judges will not make a decision until after the closing date. Each judge’s hiring preferences and procedures are listed in OSCAR. You should read about each judge’s procedures carefully, and especially with judge’s that hire on a rolling basis, you should apply as early as practicable.

Page 10: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

9

How to Apply Most federal judges sign up to participate in a system called OSCAR—the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (www.oscar.uscourts.gov). OSCAR allows you to review application requirements for individual judges, select judges to whom you wish to apply, submit all application materials online, and manage and track what documents have been submitted to individual judges. Judges who participate in this system are able to review applications and can sort and manage submitted applications through the OSCAR system. Judges must “opt in” and choose to participate in the OSCAR system. Some judges post clerkships on OSCAR but require applicants to mail their applications to chambers. Whether a judge has signed up to participate in OSCAR will affect the timing and manner in which you submit your application materials for a judicial clerkship: For “OSCAR” judges: You upload your application materials to the system a little at a time, throughout the summer. However, all requested application materials should be uploaded to the system and “finalized” before the deadline. Judges will be able to view materials from students beginning on that date. For non-“OSCAR” judges: All requested application materials should be mailed so they are received by the judge(s) in their chambers on or just before the deadline. Keep in mind that putting materials together for separate mailings can be time consuming, so make sure you give yourself enough time. Remember, even a single typo can ruin an application. *A note for rising second-year students: Beginning June, 1 , 2014, OSCAR will allow rising second-year students to register for applicant accounts with read-only access. Read-only access accounts will allow applicants to view and research clerkship and staff attorney positions, upload application materials such as resumes and writing samples to the system, identify their recommenders, make use of OSCAR's folder system, and access extensive online resources. Rising second-year law students will gain full system access on August 1 , 2014. On this date, applicants will be able to build online applications and submit them for consideration to judges and staff attorney offices who have available position listings. West Virginia Circuit Courts To apply for a position as a clerk with a West Virginia circuit court judge, third-year students should check the West Virginia Supreme Court’s website for judges who are hiring: http://www.courtswv.gov/jobs_clerks.hml. The website lists all of the circuits, the counties they cover, any judges who are currently accepting applications, the approximate start date the judge desires, and an application deadline. Students should check the website frequently, as new postings are added whenever the need to hire a clerk arises. Typically, most hiring is done during the fall and early winter. For further questions about state court clerkships, students should contact the Director of the Center for Law & Public Service, Jennifer Powell. VI. Getting Your Application Materials Together Application Materials Your application for each judge will generally include a cover letter, résumé, law school transcript, undergraduate transcript(s), writing sample, and at least two letters of recommendation. Be sure, however, to read the posting carefully, or if not posted, call the judge’s chambers to ask what materials the judge requires.

Page 11: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

10

(e.g. if a judge wants only a list of references, do not send letters of recommendation.) Everything must be impeccably proofread. With so many high-quality applicants, typos and other small mistakes can be an excuse to reject your application at first glance. Judges seek law clerks with strong research and writing skills and attention to detail. Everything in your application packet (including your cover letter and resume) is considered a writing sample. By starting early, you will not need to rush when putting your application together and will have more time for proofreading. Your application must make you stand out. Most judges receive hundreds of applications from bright and capable law students. One way to stand out is to highlight interesting prior work experience. Often, including your interests on your resume can help break the ice in an interview. Unconventional talents, interests, or experience can make you stand out, even if they have nothing to do with the practice of law. Geographic preference is also very important; if you have some tie to a judge’s jurisdiction, let the judge know. Finally, have the Center for Law & Public Service review your application materials before sending them out! a. Letters of Recommendation Because judges may receive hundreds of applications, they use letters of recommendation to distinguish among the many qualified candidates. Most judges require two letters of recommendation; however, most federal judges want three. At least one of these letters should be from a law school professor. If you are sending three letters, then two of the three should be from law school professors. When deciding whom on the faculty you should ask to write your letters of recommendation, remember that the best letters come from professors who can speak from personal knowledge of you and your work. Start during your first year to develop relationships with your professors. One of the best things you can do to prepare early in law school is to take a small seminar class so a professor can get to know you and your legal writing. This will ensure that one or two faculty members know you well enough to write personalized letters of recommendation. If there is a particular professor you wish to have write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, you should become actively involved with the professor as a research or teaching assistant. The professor will become acquainted with you and your work and will be in a better position to write a glowing recommendation. Faculty members know that students will be asking for recommendations. Do not hesitate to ask; however, give them plenty of time—at least one month—to prepare the letters. Make sure you give each reference all the correct contact information for the judge, including any important information they need to know about the judge’s chambers, any contacts they may have with the judge or her colleagues, any familiarity with cases, etc. If you will be applying to several judges, you should create an Excel spreadsheet of judges for your recommenders. Letters of recommendation can either be sealed in a separate envelope and included in the packet with your other application materials, or sent separately. If a judge does not indicate a preference, we recommend that you include sealed letters of recommendation along with your other materials in one application packet. This will decrease the possibility that your letters of recommendation become misfiled. The reference letters should be on letterhead of the person writing the letter and should be placed in a sealed envelope. The recommender can put his or her signature across the seal. If you do have letters sent separately, be sure to note in your cover letter that those letters will be arriving separately. If the cover letter is arriving in a separate envelope, it is also best that somewhere on the outside of the envelope there is a notation that states, “Reference letter for John Smith” so the judge’s clerk can easily locate your materials. If you are submitting applications through OSCAR, the Center for Law & Public Service can explain how to invite the recommenders to upload their recommendations online.

Page 12: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

11

b. Writing Sample Your writing sample must reflect your very best work. The best writing sample is one that a judge is likely to start and finish. It is worth a call to the judge’s chambers for guidance regarding what length writing sample is appropriate. If you have several writing samples to choose from, select one that will appeal to the judge. For example, a federal judge would be more interested in a federal law topic than a state law topic. Your sample should be brief (10 or fewer pages) and solely your own work. An excerpt is acceptable; if you submit an excerpt, be sure to put a cover page on it with a paragraph that states what larger body of work the excerpt is from, and orient the reader as to the sample’s relation to the whole. If you are considering using work you prepared for an employer while in law school, you will want to redact any confidential information from the memorandum and obtain consent from your employer. Be sure to proofread your writing sample. c. Cover Letter A well-drafted cover letter may increase your chances of obtaining an interview; a poorly written, unprofessional letter will almost certainly negatively impact those chances. A cover letter is an opportunity to highlight your experiences, to indicate how they have prepared you for a clerkship, and to articulate why you are interested in a position with this judge or court. Customize your cover letter to the particular judge to whom you are applying. Judges are very interested in knowing whether you sincerely want to work for them or if they are just one employer on a long list. If you have properly researched the judge before applying, you can specifically reference that judge’s work in your cover letter. Remember, your cover letter is a writing sample in itself. It must be polished, concise, customized, and engaging. See Attachment A– How to Address Correspondence—for the proper way to address the Judge and Attachment B for sample cover letters. d. Résumé Your résumé should be professional and flawless. Emphasize research experience and good analytical skills, writing experience, interest in the courtroom or judicial procedure, and ties to the jurisdiction. VII. The Interview The amount of time between receiving applications and scheduling interviews varies greatly from judge to judge. You will pay for your interview expenses, so to cut costs, try to schedule as many interviews as possible on the same trip. But don't be over-deterred by these costs. Spending a modest amount of money on the interview process is part of your investment in what is often a special year and in a credential that will serve you well throughout your legal career. Notify the Center for Law & Public Service as soon as you are granted an interview with any judge. In addition to helping you to prepare, we can also seek out faculty members with connections to the judge or a faculty member who might be willing to bolster your application with a phone call. If you are lucky enough to hear from more than one judge, we can also help you sift through your options as we have much more information on how many candidates a judge is interviewing, typical interview rates, etc. Obviously, you should spend a reasonable amount of time preparing in advance of the interview. You don’t need to read all of the opinions that the judge has written, but you should read some and have a sense of the judge’s basic style and outlook. You also should know the basics: when the judge was appointed to the bench, who appointed him or her, and other biographical information. In addition to learning about the judge, you should give some thought to what you will say about yourself. You should be prepared to talk about anything on your résumé, the substance of your writing sample, and any course you have taken in law school. Additionally, be prepared to answer questions about why you want to clerk, why you want to clerk on that specific court, how

Page 13: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

12

clerking will play into your career, and what you feel you can bring to a clerkship. Please see Attachment D on how to dress appropriately for an interview with a judge. Pay attention to the clerks and secretaries. They will often speak with the judge about their impressions of you, and you should treat your time with them as part of the interview. Clerks often can veto an applicant whom they do not like. Talking with clerks is also a good way for you to get information about what the judge is seeking, and you can often develop a sense of what it would be like to work for that judge. Remember, though, that you must impress the clerks both with your talent and with your enthusiasm about working for their judge; you should not just use them as resources. Interviews generally last between 30 minutes and two hours. They may include one session with the judge and another session with one or more of the judge’s current law clerks. Do not schedule multiple interviews in the same day without leaving adequate time for each. VIII. Offers When a judge offers you a clerkship, you should immediately accept. Many judges will expect an answer on the spot. Indeed, some offers are known as “exploding offers,” meaning that they expire within a short period. Some expire as soon as you leave the room. After accepting an offer, please promptly inform the Center for Law & Public Service of your success and withdraw in writing all other outstanding applications, especially any applications pending with judges who have indicated you were being seriously considered. In addition, you should withdraw your application as early as possible in the process if you decide that you do not want to clerk for a particular judge. IX. Improving Your Chances of Getting a Clerkship Start EARLY! The earlier you decide to pursue a clerkship, the more time you have to become acquainted with the faculty, obtain valuable work experience, and prepare your application materials. Additionally, if you wait too long to apply, you may find that the most desirable judicial clerkships have been filled. This section discusses some strategies you can use to increase your chances of obtaining a clerkship. Grades and Co-Curricular Activities Academic honors and achievements are the factors judges most often look at when making hiring decisions; however, judges look at other factors as well. These factors include recommendations from people they know and respect, writing ability, research skills, prior work experience, and personality. Remember, the judge is going to work closely with you for at least a year, and finding the proper “fit” can be as important as your academics. Extern or Volunteer for the Judge or Court Where You Want to Work An externship is like a very long interview. If you do quality work during your externship and the judge likes you, she may hire you. Judges dislike reviewing resumes of people they do not know just as much as any other employer. Why hire a clerk who is an untested stranger? Many judges hire clerks almost exclusively from their

Page 14: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

13

externs. Choosing the right place to extern involves early planning. If you are interested in learning more about the possibility of externing during the school year and/or summer, make an appointment with the Director of the Center for Law & Public Service. If an externship does not fit into your schedule, some judges will take students as volunteer law clerks. Check the Center for Law & Public Service to see if the judge has indicated a willingness to take volunteer law clerks. If you are unsure, make a quick call to the judge’s chambers to inquire about the possibility. Volunteering for a judge results in many of the same benefits that an externship for credit provides: research and writing experience, exposure to the court system, and the opportunity to work closely with a judge and her clerk(s). Network with Visiting Judges The College of Law often has special events that judges attend (i.e., Visiting Committee, moot court competitions, Continuing Legal Education, Symposiums, etc.). Check the College of Law’s Calendar of Events for information on when judges may be visiting the school. If you would like to clerk for a judge who is coming to the campus, consult with the hosting dean or faculty member to see if an opportunity to speak with the judge can be arranged. Get to Know Faculty Members Letters of recommendation, particularly from law faculty members, are a critical part of your application packet. It is imperative (especially if you anticipate applying for a federal judicial clerkship) that you work with and get to know a few law faculty members. This means more than just doing well in a professor’s class. When writing a letter of recommendation, a faculty member needs to be able to comment on your intellectual capacity, analytical abilities, research and writing skills, as well as your demeanor, personality, and work ethic. Begin interacting with faculty members early in your law school career. See Attachment E for a list of faculty members who have previously served as clerks.

Page 15: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

14

Attachment A How to Address Judges in Correspondence

Addressee Address on Letter & Envelope Salutation U.S. Supreme Court: The Chief Justice The Chief Justice of the United States Dear Chief Justice: One First Street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20543 Associate Justice Justice (Surname) Dear Justice (Surname): The Supreme Court of the United States One First Street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20543 U.S. Court of Appeals: Chief Judge Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals #th Circuit Address Judge Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): or Senior Judge United States Court of Appeals #th Circuit Address U.S. District Court: Chief Judge Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): Chief Judge, United States District Court District of (State) Address Judge Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): or Senior Judge United States District Court District of (State) Address Other Federal Courts: Chief Judge Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): Chief Judge, (Court Name) Address Judge Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): (Court Name) Address State Supreme Courts: Chief Justice Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): Chief Justice, (State) Supreme Court Address Justice Honorable (Full Name) Dear Judge (Surname): Justice, (State) Supreme Court Address Other State Courts: Address the same as “Other Federal Courts.”

Page 16: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

15

Attachment B June 1, 2013 Honorable Frederick D. Stamp, Jr., Senior U.S. District Judge United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia 1125 Chapline Street P.O. Box 791 Wheeling, WV 26003 Dear Judge Stamp, Please accept my application for a clerkship in your chambers for the 2015 term of court. My resume, writing sample, and letters of recommendation are included for your review. My interest in becoming a federal judicial clerk was first piqued through my work as a summer extern with the Honorable Judge Irene Keeley. As an extern in Judge Keeley’s chambers, I was able to view the federal court system at work. In this setting I worked with the Judge, her law clerks and other externs and was able to view the role that a law clerk fulfills and the type of work product that is expected from a law clerk. My qualifications for a clerkship in your chambers include strong research, writing, and organizational skills demonstrated by strong grades in Legal Research and Writing (LRRW) in my first year of law school, earning a position as a teaching assistant for the LRRW course, and an overall GPA of 4.04. Additionally I have received CALI awards for the highest grades in Contracts and Civil Procedure. Further, I am able to manage my time effectively, as I served as an Associate Editor for the West Virginia Law Review and as an officer for the Women’s Law Caucus this year. I believe that I have a great deal to offer as a clerk in your chambers. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you further. Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Joan Smith

Page 17: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

16

Attachment C Joan Smith

1234 University Ave. Apt. 1100 Morgantown, WV 26505

(304) 288-1023 [email protected]

Education: West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown, WV J.D. Candidate, May 2015, GPA: 4.04, Rank: 1 of 131 Honors: WVU Board of Trustees Full Tuition Scholarship for Academic Achievement CALI Award for Excellence in Contracts CALI Award for Excellence in Civil Procedure I Certificate of Excellence in Legal Writing Activities: West Virginia University Law Review Vol. 111 (Associate Editor, 2013-14) Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing (2013-14) Women’s Law Caucus (Member, Secretary/Treasurer) Public Interest Advocates (Member) Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV B.A. in English, May 2011, summa cum laude, Honors Program Graduate Major GPA: 4.0; Cumulative GPA: 3.87 B.S. in Political Science, May 2011, summa cum laude, Honors Program Graduate              Major GPA: 4.0; Cumulative GPA: 3.87 Experience: Professor Hollee S. Temple, Morgantown, WV August 2013- May 2014 West Virginia University College of Law Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing

§ Assist in the research and drafting of assignments. § Conduct instructive research seminars for students. § Individually tutor students and evaluate their written work.

Honorable Judge Irene M. Keeley, Clarksburg, WV Summer 2012 U.S. District Court for the Northern District of WV Judicial Extern

§ Conduct legal research and prepare bench memoranda for both civil and criminal litigation.  § Examples of covered memoranda topics: sentencing, post-trial motions, habeas petitions,

ERISA cross-motions for summary judgment.  § Draft judicial opinions and orders.  § Assist and observe in both courtroom proceedings and pretrial conferences.  

Smith Law Offices, Morgantown, WV Summers of 2010 and 2011 Legal Intern

§ Assisted in the preparation for criminal defense litigation in both federal and state court. § Filed, organized, and edited legal documents. § Assisted and observed in the courtroom, including work on several jury trials. § Interviewed clients and witnesses.

Page 18: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

17

Attachment D

How to Dress for Your Interviews

Women

Your Suit Women’s suits come in a wide variety of styles and colors. For law interviews, muted shades work best. Although black, gray, and navy blue suits are always appropriate, suits in subdued shades of tan, brown, deep green or teal, burgundy, and plum are also good choices. Fire engine red suits convey a sense of power, but because they make such a bold statement, they are not the best choice for interviews. A pinstripe or other subtle design is acceptable; however, avoid busy patterns that detract from your face, voice, and the professional message you wish to convey. What you wear under your suit is important, too. Pick a collared shirt or a blouse with a high or crew neck. Modest V or scoop necks are acceptable only if no cleavage is revealed. Make sure that your bra is not visible to the interviewers (due to deep cleavage, gapping buttons, etc.), and avoid sheer blouses. A skirt suit remains the most conservative choice for interviews with legal employers. Many professional women appreciate the comfort, warmth, and style of a pantsuit. However, some attorneys (men and women) do not consider pantsuits to be dressy enough for court appearances, client contact, or job interviews. You will not know if your interviewer is “pro pantsuit” or “anti pantsuit.” Accordingly, the safest bet is to wear a skirt suit to the interview. Suit skirts should have a modest length and a great fit. Skirts should hit at the knees, give or take one inch. Do not select skirts that end two or more inches above your knees. Remember that skirts should drape over the body and should not cling to your hips or rear end. Before your interview, put on your suit skirt, place a chair in front of a full-length mirror, and sit down and cross your legs. If you can see your underwear or the underside of your thighs, then select another suit for the interview. Just like the skirt, the suit jacket should also fit well. Make sure you can button all of the buttons with no gaps of shirt showing. Your Legs and Feet Select closed-toe shoes with a low-to-moderately high heel (traditionally called “pumps”) in neutral colors. Keep your shoes in good condition and polish or shine them when needed. Sandals are great - - but not in the interview. Toenails should not be visible, no matter how good your pedicure is. When in doubt, ask yourself, “would I wear these shoes to a club or bar?” If you answer “yes,” choose another pair of shoes for the interview. Most women find panty hose uncomfortable. That being said, hose are still a part of the professional wardrobe and should be worn to interviews. Select flesh-toned hose (black hose can be worn if they coordinate with the suit) and carry a spare pair in your purse in case you get a run. Your Hair Before your interview, visit the restroom and check to make sure your hair is in place. If you have long hair, you may wear it down if it does not hang in your face. If you have a tendency to twirl your hair or to continually brush it out of your face (a nervous habit many women have), consider pulling it back into a simple bun or low ponytail. Securing hair off your face with a barrette is fine, too. Avoid scrunchies, butterfly clips, and high “cheerleader” ponytails.

Page 19: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

18

Attachment D (Cont’d)

Your Jewelry Think small, classic, and not too much. Pearl or diamond studs or small silver/gold hoops are always good choices. Avoid shoulder-dusting chandeliers or styles that will keep drawing the interviewer’s eyes to your ears. Limit rings to one on each hand (an engagement ring/wedding band set counts as one ring). A classic silver, gold, or dark leather watch is fine to wear; however, avoid dangly bracelets. Necklaces should be conservative and not detract from your face. Many women tend to over-accessorize. As a rule of thumb for interviewing, less is more. Your Makeup and Fragrance By all means, makeup is appropriate to wear to interviews. In fact, properly applied makeup conveys a sense of maturity. If you are personally opposed to wearing cosmetics, you certainly should follow your conscience. However, if a daily makeup routine just is not part of your lifestyle (due to exercise, outdoor activities, or simply lack of time), you may want to consider a basic “interview day look” of sheer foundation, a coat of mascara, and neutral shades of eye shadow, blush, and lipstick/gloss. If you are unsure about selecting or applying makeup, visit a cosmetics counter—staffers are trained in makeup application and can help you pick the most flattering shades. As a rule of thumb for fragrance: no one two feet away from you should be able to detect your perfume. You would hate to aggravate an interviewer’s fragrance allergy during your interview, so keep your fragrance light.

Men

Your Suit Men’s interview suits should be dark. Think black, gray, navy blue, or very dark brown. While a small pinstripe is acceptable, avoid plaids and other bold patterns. Select a suit in a single-breasted style. Unlike many women’s suits, most men’s suits are not “made to fit” right off of the rack. Your suit will most likely need to be tailored to fit your particular frame. Most stores that sell suits have personnel who are trained to know the proper fit of men’s suits. These professionals will tell you how long the suit sleeves should be, how the suit should fit across your shoulders and back, and how long your pants should be (traditionally referred to as the “break” of the cuff). Strongly consider working with such a professional when selecting a suit. Shirt selection is also important. White and ivory shirts are classic choices and are always appropriate for interviews. You may also select shirts in shades of very light blue, very light gray, and ecru (beige with just a hint of yellow). Although many stores display suit coats with bold-colored shirts, that look is not appropriate for interviews. Avoid dark shirt colors such as black, charcoal, navy blue, burgundy, and purple. Also avoid bright shirt colors such as pink, apple green, and deep yellow. Make sure your shirt collar will stay in place during the interview. Button-down collars are acceptable. DO NOT select short-sleeve dress shirts. Even if you think you will “hide” the sleeves under your suit coat, you never know when a legal employer will encourage you to “take your coat off and make yourself comfortable.” Be prepared for that statement by wearing long sleeves. Your Tie Your tie should coordinate with your suit and shirt. Select ties made of silk or silk-blend fabric. Business-appropriate ties come in a variety of colors. Ties with background colors of black, gray, burgundy, blue, green, and yellow can all be worn to interviews. Avoid “beach” colors such as orange, pink, purple, or turquoise. You

Page 20: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

19

Attachment D (Cont’d)

may also wish to avoid fire engine red ties because of the power that color conveys (let your interviewer have the power in the interview!). Ultimately, the print of your tie is more important than the background color. Select a conservative design that will not detract from your face or business demeanor. Small stripes or geometric shapes convey a professional image. DO NOT wear any theme ties (i.e., “Save the Whales,” Tabasco bottle motifs, Steelers/Pirates/WVU prints, etc.). Your Feet Wear black mid-calf or over-the-calf dress socks (navy blue socks can be worn with navy blue suits). Black dress shoes go with anything; however, dark burgundy/brown shoes (often referred to as “cordovan”) may be worn with dark brown or navy blue suits. Leather, lace-up shoes are the most conservative choice for interviews. Keep your shoes in good condition and polish/shine them a day or so before the interview. Your Jewelry, Face, and Fragrance A watch and a wedding ring (if applicable) are the only pieces of jewelry a man should wear to a law firm interview. Please leave earrings and all other pieces of jewelry at home. Unless you have an established beard or moustache, please remember to shave the morning of the interview. Stubble always gives a “scruffy” appearance. If you do have a moustache or beard, make sure it is neatly groomed. It is best to avoid “unusual” facial hairstyles (i.e., long sideburns, “soul patches,” etc.). Keep your fragrance light to avoid provoking an interviewer’s fragrance allergy. No one two feet away from you should be able to detect your fragrance.

Page 21: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

20

Attachment E WVU COLLEGE OF LAW FACULTY WHO HAVE SERVED AS CLERKS

Valena E. Beety Chief Judge James G. Carr, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2006-07; Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2007-08 Gregory W. Bowman, Associate Dean Pierce Lively, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1994-95 Atiba R. Ellis James A. Beaty, Jr., United States District Court, Middle District of North Carolina, 2000-01; Theodore A. McKee, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2001-02 John W. Fisher, II, Dean Emeritus Robert E. Maxwell, United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, 1967-68 Jessica A. Haught Chief Judge Gary L. Lancaster, United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2007-08 David L. Krech D. Bruce Crew, III, New York Supreme Court, Elmira, New York, 1983-85 Anne M. Lofaso, Associate Dean James L. Oakes, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1993-94 Joyce McConnell, Dean Chief Judge Melvin Welles, National Labor Relations Board, 1982-84 Patrick C. McGinley Thomas W. Pomeroy, Jr., Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1971-72 Dale P. Olsen George E. MacKinnon, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 1979-80 Thomas O. Patrick Robert E. Maxwell, United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, 1985-92 Alison Peck Jon O. Newman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1995-96; G. Frederico Mancini, Court of Justice for the European Communities, 1999 William Rhee Sam J. Ervin, III, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1998-99 Arthur L. Rizer Edwin M Kosik, United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2003-05 John E. Taylor M. Blane Michael, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2001-02 Suzanne Weise Thomas B. Miller and Thomas E. McHugh, West Virginia Supreme Court, 1989-90; 1990-94 Joshua E. Weishart Robert B. King, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2011-12

Page 22: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

21

Attachment F WVU College of Law Alumni Serving as Judges

Hon. Stephanie D. Thacker U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Hon. Robert B. King U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Hon. Irene M. Keeley U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Hon. John S. Kaull U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Hon. John P. Bailey U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Hon. Gina M. Groh U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Hon. David J. Joel U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Hon. James E. Seibert U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Hon. John Thomas Copenhaver, Jr. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Hon. Dwane L. Tinsley U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Hon. Joseph R. Goodwin U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Hon. Thomas E. Johnston U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Hon. Irene C. Berger U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Hon. R. Clarke VanDervort U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Hon. Thomas B. Bennett Hon. Jon D. Levy Carlos E. Mendoza

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (Nom.) U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Hon. Robin J. Davis Hon. Margaret L. Workman

West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals

Hon. Menis E. Ketchum West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals

Hon. James P. Mazzone 1st Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. David J. Sims 1st Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Mark A. Karl 2nd Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Timothy L. Sweeney 3rd Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Jeffrey B. Reed 4th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Thomas C. Evans, III 5th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. David W. Nibert 5th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Paul T. Farrell 6th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Alfred E. Ferguson 6th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. F. Jane Hustead 6th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. David M. Pancake 6th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Eric H. O'Briant 7th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Rudolph J. Murensky, II 8th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Omar J. Aboulhosn 9th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. William J. Sadler 9th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Robert A. Burnside, Jr. 10th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. John A. Hutchison 10th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. H. L. Kirkpatrick, III 10th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. John W. Hatcher, Jr. 12th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Paul M. Blake, Jr. 12th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Jennifer F. Bailey 13th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. James C. Stucky 13th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Louis H. "Duke" Bloom 13th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Page 23: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

22

Attachment F (Cont’d.) Hon. Carrie L. Webster Hon. Tod J. Kaufman

13th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia 13th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Paul Zakalb, Jr. 13th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Charles E. King, Jr. 13th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Jack Alsop 14th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Thomas A. Bedell 15th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. J. Lewis Marks, Jr. 15th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. James A. Matish 15th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Michael J. Aloi 16th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Russell M. Clawges, Jr. 17th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Phillip D. Gaujot 17th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Susan B. Tucker 17th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Lawrance S. Miller, Jr. 18th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Alan D. Moats 19th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Jaymie Godwin Wilfong 20th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Lynn A. Nelson 21st Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Charles E. Parsons 22nd Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Michael D. Lorensen 23rd Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. David H. Sanders 23rd Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Gray Silver, III 23rd Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Darrell Pratt 24th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia Hon. James H. Young, Jr. Hon. Kurt W. Hall

24th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia 26th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Gary L. Johnson 28th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Joseph K. Reeder 29th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Hon. Phillip M. Stowers 29th Judicial Circuit, West Virginia

Page 24: 2014-15 Center for Law & Public Service Clerk Manual€¦ · Federal salaries are set by pay grades with steps between grades that vary with location. Typically, judicial clerks start

23

Attachment G

Examples of WVU College of Law Alumni who have Recently Served as Clerks

Graduated Name Clerked For

2014 Grant, Liz Hon. John P. Bailey 2014 Gunn, Jeremy Hon. John P. Bailey 2014 Matini, Imad Hon. Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. 2014 Viglianco, Zack Hon. John T. Copenhaver, Jr. 2013 Johnston, Joshua Hon. James A. Matish 2013 Lafayette, Liz Hon. Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. 2013 Olds, Evan Hon. Louis H. "Duke" Bloom 2012 Atkinson, Natalie Hon. Thomas E. Johnston 2012 Brown, Sara Hon. David W. Nibert 2012 Cook, Jessica L. Hon. H.L. Kirkpatrick, III 2012 Griebel, Katie Hon. Louis H. "Duke" Bloom & Stephanie D. Thacker 2012 Hess, Samuel Hon. Lawrance Miller 2012 Layne, Jacob Hon. Robert Irons 2012 Omps-Botteicher, Laura Hon. Gina M. Groh 2012 Reckart, Jessie Hon. Irene M. Keeley 2012 Shaffer, Jacob Hon. Thomas Keedle 2012 Stark, Michael Hon. Stephanie D. Thacker 2012 Vanderkolk, Tiffany Hon. David R. Janes 2011 Baker, Megan Hon. H.L. Kirkpatrick 2011 Delligatti, Matthew Hon. Irene C. Berger 2011 Donovan, Ryan Hon. Robert B. King 2011 Green, Michelle A. Hon. John P. Bailey 2011 Lynch (Pratt), Evan E. Hon. James A. Matish 2011 Nussear, Alison E. Hon. Phillip Jordan 2011 Ritchie, J. Zak Hon. Stephanie D. Thacker 2011 Watson, Claire (Brown) Hon. Michael D. Lorensen 2011 Watson, Kevin Hon. Christopher Wilkes 2010 Benedict, Jessica Spencer Hon. Mark A. Karl 2010 Butler, David Hon. Lawrance Miller 2010 Calhoun, Jonathan Hon. Booker T. Stephens 2010 Chapman, Matthew G. Hon. Joseph K. Reeder 2010 Mayhew, Tyler Hon. David J. Joel 2010 McAllister, Brian Hon. Phillip D. Gaujot 2010 Mick, Ryan Hon. David R. Janes 2010 Morton, Jasmine Hon. Jack Alsop 2010 Nichols, Bethany Hon. John A. Hutchinson 2010 Schrebe, Matthew Hon. David J. Sims 2010 Voithofer, James Hon. Patrick Flatley 2010 Zimarowski, Rachel Hon. Thomas E. Johnston, Irene M. Keeley, & Stephanie D. Thacker