- Tell the Career Center about your interview. We may have insights about the judge or helpful contacts to share with you. Stop by the office or email Mahrya to share the news! We can facilitate setting up mock interviews with the clerkship committee or with alumni who have clerked with that particular judge. You should practice your answers to the questions out loud so that you feel confident in the interview.
- Let your recommenders and jcrecommendations@wulaw.wustl.edu know about your interview. First, they will be terribly excited for you, and second it will give them a chance to prepare in the event the judge reaches out to them. If anything has changed since the last time you spoke, make sure you send them your updated materials. They may have tips for the interview as well.
- Research, research, research the Judge. You should conduct research on the judge, but also look into their current clerks as well. You should NOT contact the current clerks directly, even if they are WashULaw alumni, as they will likely be part of the interview process. You can find information about the Judge’s chambers in the Leadership Library.
The Clerkship Interview – Common Questions
- Why do you want to Clerk?
Carefully think about this question and use it to your advantage. While you may be tempted to talk about how this will improve your research and writing (it will), think deeper, and develop a sincere and thoughtful response.
- Why do you want to Clerk in my chambers/at this Court?
Consider the geographic location, the level of court (i.e., state vs federal), the type of court (i.e., trial v. appellate), and the type of judge (e.g., Magistrate, Senior, Bankruptcy, etc.). This is where research becomes important. Your answer should reflect specific knowledge of the judge/court. Make sure to highlight your unique qualifications for that particular court. If you want to be a trial attorney, mention that. If you have taken Bankruptcy courses, an interview with a Bankruptcy Judge is the time to mention this fact!
- Why did you decide to attend law school? Why WashULaw in particular?
You have likely been asked this question in various forms throughout your interviewing process (How do you like law school? Are you enjoying your law school experience? etc). Keep your answer positive. Now is not the time to vent any frustrations, as it will only serve to showcase yourself in a negative light.
- What is your favorite opinion of mine?
- What is the biggest issue facing the court system today?
- What is your preferred theory of the law (originalism, pragmatism, etc.)
- What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- What qualities do you have that might make you a valuable law clerk?
- What are your long term career goals? Short term?
- What type of law interests you most?
- What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your life?
- What do you do to keep abreast of the latest development in the law?
- What other judges have you applied to and why?
- Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice and why (HINT- don’t go with your political views!)
- What is your least/most favorite Supreme Court decision and why? How would you have decided the case differently?
- Why are you the best candidate for this position? Why should I hire you?
- How will you improve our chambers?
- Describe the work you have done for your law journal.
- What would your classmates say about you?
- Do you prefer to work with others or independently?
- Tell me about a time that you had to juggle competing deadlines and priorities.
- If you and I disagree about a certain issue, would you have any problems drafting an opinion incorporating a viewpoint that you don’t agree with?
- How would you describe yourself?
- How would you describe your work style?
- Why did you choose your writing sample topic?
- What is the worst job you have ever had?
- Are you ok with not being involved politically while clerking?
- Are you comfortable with not being able to discuss your work with your family or friends or anyone who may inquire?
- Is there a specific body of Supreme Court cases that you particularly like or dislike?
- What do you think is the most interesting case before the US Supreme Court this term, and how do you think it should be decided?
- Tell me the most interesting assignment during your summer at XXXXX.
- What book are you reading right now?
- What Netflix series are you currently watching?
- How would your parents describe you?
- Tell me something about you that isn’t on your resume?
- What do you do in your free time?
- What achievement are you most proud of?
- How would you approach researching a legal topic you knew nothing about?
- What is your research and/or writing style or method?
Other Ways to Prepare:
Know what is going on in the world and that particular location.
When you get to the city in which you are interviewing, grab a newspaper and see what is happening in that location. You also want to showcase that you are a well-rounded individual, so make sure you are relatively up on national/world events. Keep an eye on legal issues. You don’t want to walk into an interview unaware that the Supreme Court issued a major ruling the previous day.
Study your Resume
Go through your resume line by line and make sure that you have a story or example for every listed experience. Be able to discuss in depth several large legal projects you have completed (which may include projects for clinics, externships and research assistant positions). With respect to these projects, be prepared to discuss the legal issues, how you approached the problem, any challenges you faced, how you overcame those challenges and what happened with the final drafted product. Know your skills and interests and expect to discuss them. If you have a thesis or note or any articles that have been published, make sure you can have a brief discussion about the topics.
Study your Writing Sample
Know your writing sample backwards and forwards. You should be able to comment about the best arguments in support of your position, but be ready to argue it both ways and for the judge to ask about your arguments and conclusions. Spend some time reacquainting yourself with your writing and the cases that you cited.
Study your Transcript
Judges had favorite classes in law school. Some still serve as adjunct professors at law schools (you’ll find that through your research!). Know the classes you took and the professors who taught them. Think about which class was your favorite and least favorite and be able to discuss them. Do not be tempted to disparage the professor as a method to explain a not-so favorable grade. We can help you prepare an answer to explain any grades or class choices.