Judicial internships and judicial clerkships are not the same. A judicial clerkship is a post-graduate clerk position (usually a term of 1 – 2 years). A judicial internship is a summer position, that does not lead to a post-graduate position with the judge.
Are summer judicial internships beneficial? Absolutely! 1L summer is the best time to consider a judicial internship. Consider your long term career goals when deciding which judges you should apply to for a summer position. We will help you navigate these decisions and the process. We will help you prepare your application materials. Impress your summer judge and you may find that doors open for post-graduate clerkships with other judges. Apply over winter break.
Are summer judicial internships paid? No. Never. You should simply feel grateful for a great opportunity. However, the 1L summer public interest program at WashULaw does fund summer internships. More information is coming soon. Also, some organizations, like the ABA, will fund a judicial internship.