ABA Litigation Section Judicial Intern Opportunity Program Applications Accepted November 4

The American Bar Association Litigation Section is a place where law students become engaged in the legal profession and where diversity, equity, and inclusion are advanced. One example is through the Section’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP). JIOP is a summer internship program open to all first- and second-year underrepresented law students.

Selected students intern for six weeks or more during the summer with a participating state or federal judge. The program makes available a $2,000 award to each selected student. Students can also elect law school credit.

JIOP will begin accepting Summer 2025 applications for all students on November 4, 2024. The deadline for applying is January 6, 2025. Last year, JIOP offered internships to 171 law students representing 68 different law schools in locations throughout the country. The goal this year is to place 160 students for Summer 2025.

Please review the program description and frequently asked questions. To learn more about the program, please see the website at ambar.org/jiop. Links to the application will be available on November 4. Applications are only accepted electronically through the JIOP website. 

Students are encouraged to apply early. Screening interviews are guaranteed for the first 500 applicants. Other students will be screened on an as-needed basis. Last year’s program had more than 770 applications.

Membership in the ABA and Litigation Section is free for law students. Students can join at ambar.org/ltjoin (or by calling 800-285-2221) for access to the Section’s multimedia resources, professional development opportunities, and content from our 34 practice-specific committees. Learn more at ambar.org/litigation.

Apply for Student Membership in the Dwyer Inn of Court

 

WILLIAM L. DWYER INN OF COURT STUDENT MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS   Current 2Ls are invited to apply for 2024-25 membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court. One of the Inn of Court’s functions is to serve as an educational and mentoring organization to law students who are dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality, ethical lawyering.   APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applications for membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court are due Friday, March 8 at 12 pm. A resume and letter of interest detailing why you would like to join the Inn should be addressed and emailed to Deans Deborah Ahrens and Erin Fullner.   ABOUT THE INN Inn membership is made up of judges, professors, law firm partners, defenders, prosecutors, and other lawyers with varying levels of practice experience. The Inn meets on the Seattle U campus the second Tuesday night of each of the nine months of the school year for dinner, networking, and a continuing legal education (CLE) presentation. Students are expected to attend every Tuesday evening meeting and are each assigned to one of seven sub-groups, called pupilages. Students work with the judges and lawyers in their pupilages to develop and help lead CLEs (each pupilage presents one CLE for the year).   SELECTION CRITERIA This is a competitive process. There are seven spots available for Seattle University law students who will be 3Ls during the 2024-25 academic year. Selection criteria include a demonstrated interest in litigation and dispute resolution, participation in activities supporting that interest, and a thoughtful and compelling cover letter.   MEMBERSHIP DUES Student dues for 2024-25 will be covered by the Office of the Dean.

Federal Practice CLE - Students Will Receive a Discounted Rate

 

REGISTER HERE (message Dean Fullner for a discount code)

December 13, 2023

The Federal Practice CLE

presented by

the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington

is only eight days away!

 

3.5 hours of WSBA CLE Credits (including 1 Ethics Credit for Panel 2)

are being requested.

  

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The CLE will be held in-person in the 19th-floor conference room at the U.S. Federal Courthouse, 700 Stewart Street, in Seattle, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 13, 2023.

Online streaming of the CLE will be available.

v v v 

Topic 1: “Fireside Chat” with Mary H. Murguia, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 

Interviewer: Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo

·       Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Mary H. Murguia

·       Interviewer: Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo

v v v 

Topic 2: The Shifting Landscape of U.S. Immigration Law: Obstacles to Legal Immigration, Recent and Pending Litigation, and Related Ethical Concerns

Moderator: Professor Zaida C. Rivera

·       Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

·       Matthew H. Adams, Legal Director, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)

·       Hilary A. Han, Partner, Dobrin & Han PC

·       Amy Royalty, Member, Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC

·       Moderator: Zaida C. Rivera, Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law, and Director, Immigrant Justice Clinic (IJC)

v v v 

Topic 3: On Judging and the Judiciary: Q&A with Judges Coughenour, Jones, Lin and Chun

Moderator: Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman

·       S. District Judge John C. Coughenour

·       S. District Judge Richard A. Jones

·       S. District Judge Tana Lin

·       S. District Judge John H. Chun

·       Moderator: Tessa M. Gorman, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington

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In-person attendees will be required to certify that they are fully vaccinated and boosted.   

REGISTER HERE

Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP)

ABA Litigation Section Judicial Intern Opportunity Program Applications Accepted Starting November 6th The American Bar Association’s Litigation Section is a place where law students become engaged in the legal profession and where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is advanced. One example is the Section’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP). JIOP is a summer internship program open to all first- and second-year underrepresented law students. Selected students intern for six weeks or more during the summer with a participating state or federal judge. The program offers a $2,000 award to each selected student. Students can also elect law school credit. Summer 2024 applications will be accepted for all students starting on November 6, 2023. The deadline for applying is January 12, 2024. Last year, JIOP offered internships to 159 law students representing 80 different law schools in locations throughout the country. The goal is to place 160 students during Summer 2024. Please review the program description and frequently asked questions. The program application and detailed program information will be live on the JIOP website on or after Nov. 6 at ambar.org/jiop. Applications are only accepted electronically through the JIOP website. Contact JIOP Program Director Gail Howard with additional questions at gail.howard@americanbar.org or (312) 988-6348. Apply early. Last year’s program had more than 770 applications. Screening interviews are guaranteed for the first 500 applicants. Other students will be screened on an as-needed basis. Membership in the ABA and Litigation Section is free for law students. Students can join at ambar.org/joinlt or by calling (800) 285-2221 for access to the Section’s multimedia resources, professional development opportunities, and content from our 35 practice-specific committees. Learn more at ambar.org/litigation.

Learn more about JIOP

Clerkships in Alaska for the 2024-25 Term

Each fall, a representative from the Alaska Supreme Court visits our campus to interview candidates for post-graduate judicial clerkships throughout the Alaska Court System, which includes the Alaska Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals, and local courts in boroughs throughout the state. 

In early October, Justice Dario Borghesan will come to Seattle U to interview. If you're a Seattle U Law alum or student who will have graduated by summer 2024 and would like to be considered for an interview for a position at any level of court in Alaska, please contact Dean Fullner for details on how to apply. 

The deadline to apply is September 14 at 9 am.

Inn of Court Student Membership

WILLIAM L. DWYER INN OF COURT STUDENT MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS Current 2Ls are invited to apply for 2023-24 membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court. One of the Inn of Court’s functions is to serve as an educational and mentoring organization to law students who are dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality, ethical lawyering. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applications for membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court are due Friday, April 7 at 12 pm. A resume and letter of interest detailing why you would like to join the Inn should be addressed and emailed to Deans Deborah Ahrens and Erin Fullner. ABOUT THE INN The general Inn membership is made up of judges, professors, law firm partners, prosecutors, defenders, and other lawyers with varying levels of practice experience. The Inn meets on the Seattle U campus the second Tuesday night of each of the nine months of the school year for dinner, networking, and a continuing legal education (CLE) presentation. Students are expected to attend all of the Tuesday evening meetings and are each assigned to one of seven sub-groups, called pupilages. Students work with the judges and lawyers in their pupilages to develop and help lead CLEs (each pupilage presents one CLE for the year). SELECTION CRITERIA This is a competitive process. There are seven spots available for Seattle University law students who will be 3Ls during the 2023-24 academic year. Selection criteria include a demonstrated interest in litigation and dispute resolution, participation in activities supporting that interest, and a thoughtful and compelling cover letter. MEMBERSHIP DUES Student dues for 2023-24 will be covered by the Office of the Dean.

William L. Dwyer Inn of Court

The William L. Dwyer Inn of Court is part of the American Inns of Court, a national organization comprised of around 320 chapters and over 23,000 members.

2023-24 Alaska Judicial Clerkships

CLERKSHIPS IN ALASKA District and Superior Court judges in Alaska are still accepting clerkship applications for the 2023-24 terms. These are excellent positions and for folks who fall in love with Alaska and wish to stay after clerking, plenty of job opportunities await. For those who wish to return home, the experience translates very well.   APPLYING TO DISTRICT COURT The Anchorage District Court has limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. The 10 judges of the Anchorage District Court share two law clerks.   To apply for positions with the Anchorage District Court, applicants must submit: a cover letter, resume, a copy of all law school transcripts, a brief writing sample which was not substantially edited by someone else, two or three letters of recommendation from law professors or employers, and a completed background check authorization form.   The entire package should be sent to:   Deputy Presiding Judge Anchorage District Court 820 W. 4th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501   Applicants for Anchorage District Court clerkships should submit a single application packet to the Deputy Presiding Judge. It is not necessary to send an application to each judge on the court.   APPLYING TO SUPERIOR COURTS The Superior Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction, which also has appellate jurisdiction over the District Court appeals. There are 44 Superior Court judgeships throughout Alaska. Each superior court judge may employ one law clerk.   To apply for positions in the Superior Court, applicants must submit: a cover letter, resume, a copy of all law school transcripts, a brief writing sample which was not substantially edited by someone else, two or three letters of recommendation from law professors or employers, and a completed background check authorization form.   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the First Judicial District, send the completed package to the Area Court Administrator. Please indicate in the cover letter the communities in which you are interested in working.   The First Judicial District offers clerkships in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka with 6 Superior Court Judges.   Alaska Court System Area Court Administrator First Judicial District P.O. Box 114100 Juneau, AK 99811-4100   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the Second Judicial District, send the completed package to one or more specific judges directly. A list of judges and their addresses is listed in the court directory.   The Second Judicial District offers clerkships in Nome, Kotzebue, and Utqiagvik, with 3 Superior Court Judges). Send applications directly to the judge at each court location.   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the Third Judicial District, the applicant may do either of the following:   1. Send the completed package to one or more specific judges directly. A list of judges and their addresses is listed in the court directory.   2. Send the completed package to the Area Court Administrator. Please indicate in your cover letter the communities in which you are interested in working. Copies of your application will be available to judges throughout the Third Judicial District.   The Third Judicial District offers clerkships in Anchorage, Dillingham, Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, and Palmer, with 28 Superior Court Judges.   Alaska Court System Area Court Administrator Third Judicial District 825 W 4th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501-2004 (907) 264-0415   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the Fourth Judicial District, send the completed package to the Area Court Administrator. Please indicate in the cover letter the communities in which you are interested in working.   The Fourth Judicial District offers clerkships in Fairbanks and Bethel with 8 Superior Court Judges.   Alaska Court System Area Court Administrator Fourth Judicial District 101 Lacey Street Fairbanks, AK 99701   SALARY The bi-weekly salary for law clerks working in District and Superior Court is $2,238.75. Please see the attached handbook for information about benefits and travel/relocation allowances. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you have not previously applied for judicial clerkships, please contact Erin Fullner, Assistant Dean in CPD for assistance.

Clerkships with the New Jersey Courts

The New Jersey Courts is hosting two webinars via Zoom geared toward current law students. The March 23 webinar will feature judges from different counties who will discuss the clerkship opportunities the Judiciary has available each year. The March 30 webinar will showcase current law clerks who will be discussing their clerkship experiences and the benefits of obtaining a clerkship with the Judiciary.

Please register at the links below.

March 23 Webinar

March 30 Webinar

NJ Family Court Clerkship Webinar

The New Jersey Courts will host a webinar (via Zoom) on March 16, 2022 with its Family Division judges from various counties to discuss the judicial clerkship positions available each year.  

All law students are invited to attend:

• Visit Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com) to register
•  Visit https://www.njcourts.gov/public/lawclerks.html to apply for judicial clerkships.

Judicial Intern Opportunity Program

ABA Litigation Section Judicial Intern Opportunity Program Applications Accepted Beginning November 1 The American Bar Association’s Litigation Section is a place where law students become engaged in the legal profession and where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are advanced. One example is the Section’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP). The program is a summer internship program open to all first- or second-year diverse law students. Selected students intern for six weeks or more during the summer with a participating state or federal judge. The program offers a $2,000 award to each selected student. Students can also elect law school credit or coordinate their award with their work/study financial aid. JIOP will begin accepting applications for all students on November 1. The deadline for applying is January 7, 2022. Last year, JIOP offered internships to 164 law students representing 73 different law schools in locations throughout the country. This year's goal is to place 160 students. Summer 2022 placements will include a new JIOP location in Salt Lake City, UT. Please review the program description and frequently asked questions. The program application and detailed program information are on the program website: ambar.org/jiop. Contact JIOP Program Director Gail Howard with additional questions at gail.howard@americanbar.org or by phone at (312) 988-6348. Early applications are encouraged; last year’s program had more than 700 applications for 164 spots. Screening interviews are guaranteed for the first 500 applicants. Other students will be screened on an as-needed basis. Membership in the ABA and Litigation Section is free for law students. Students can join at ambar.org/joinlt (or by calling 800-285-2221) for access to the Section’s multimedia resources for law students and young litigators, professional development opportunities, and content from 35+ practice-specific committees. Learn more at ambar.org/litigation.

KABA Virtual Judicial Panel

The Korean American Bar Association of Washington invites you to attend a virtual panel discussion to learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on the judicial system. 

Date: Thursday May 14, 2020

Time: 5:00 pm 

Cost: Free

Register: here

Student Inn of Court Membership

Current 2Ls are invited to apply for 2020-21 membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court. One of the Inn of Court’s functions is to serve as an educational and mentoring organization to law students who are dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality, ethical lawyering.

ABOUT THE INN

The general Inn membership is made up of judges, professors, law firm partners, prosecutors, defenders, and other lawyers with varying levels of practice experience. The Inn meets on the Seattle U campus the second Tuesday night of each of the nine months of the school year for dinner, networking, and a continuing legal education (CLE) presentation. Students are each assigned to one of seven sub-groups, called pupilages. Students work with the judges and lawyers in their pupilages to develop and help lead CLEs (each pupilage presents one CLE for the year).

SELECTION CRITERIA

This is a competitive process. There are seven spots available for Seattle University law students who will be 3Ls during the 2020-21 academic year. Selection criteria include a demonstrated interest in litigation and dispute resolution, participation in activities supporting that interest, and a thoughtful and compelling cover letter.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications for membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court are due Monday, April 20 by 5 pm. A resume and letter of interest detailing why you would like to join the Inn should be addressed and emailed to:

Deborah Ahrens, Associate Professor of Law and

Erin Fullner, Senior Associate Director of the Center for Professional Development

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Student dues for 2020-21 will be covered by the Office of the Dean.

QUESTIONS

Contact Prof. Ahrens or Dr. Fullner if you have questions. Both are available for Zoom appointments if you would like to discuss membership in the Inn.

Roadways to the Federal Bench: Who, Me? A Bankruptcy Judge?

The Judicial Conference of the U.S. Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System is hosting a nationwide event occurring live in 19 cities, including Seattle with the goal of increasing diversity in the bankruptcy bar and bench.

October 24, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
U.S. Courthouse, 700 Stewart Street, Seattle
Reception Follows

Registration opens September 17, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited so register early.

REGISTRATION PAGE

• Panel Discussion
• Live-streamed panel discussion with Judge Bernice Donald (6th Cir. Court of Appeals), Bankruptcy Judge Frank Bailey (D. Mass.), Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gordon (D. Md.)
• Moderated by Judge Andre Davis (4th Circuit Court of Appeals, retired)
• Bankruptcy Practice
• Talk to judges, learn about bankruptcy practice, and find out how you might be a federal judge one day
• Interface with Judges
• Engage in discussion with multiple judges at small round-table discussions, including Circuit Judge Eric Miller (9th Cir. Court of Appeals), Chief District Judge Ricardo Martinez (W.D. Wash.), and other district, magistrate, and bankruptcy judges from Washington and Oregon

Evolution of the Supreme Court Lecture at K&L Gates

Apply for Student Membership in Inn of Court

Current 2Ls are encouraged to apply for 2018-2019 membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court.

Inn of Court is an educational and mentoring organization open to law students who are dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality, ethical lawyering. The general membership of the Inn is made up of judges, professors, law firm partners, prosecutors and defenders, and other lawyers with varying levels of practice experience.

The Dwyer Inn meets on the Seattle University campus the second Tuesday night of each of the nine months of the academic year for drinks, dinner, networking, and a CLE presentation (student members must be available to participate for the entire nine-month period). Students are each assigned to one of seven sub-groups, called pupilages, where they work with the judges and lawyers in those groups to develop and help lead the monthly CLEs – each pupilage presents one CLE for the year.

Applications require a resume and letter of interest detailing why you would like to join the Inn. There are seven spots available for Seattle University law students who will be 3Ls during the 2018-2019 academic year (part-time students are invited to participate in either their 3L or 4L year) and applications will be reviewed by Deborah Ahrens, William C. Oltman Professor of Teaching Excellence, and Erin Fullner, Senior Associate Director of the Center for Professional Development. 

Selection criteria include a demonstrated interest in litigation or dispute resolution, participation in activities supporting that interest, and a compelling cover letter. Student membership dues for 2018-2019 will be $100 and will cover the cost of the nine meals.

Applications for the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court are due Monday, April 16 by 5:00 p.m. Application materials should be addressed to Prof. Ahrens and Ms. Fullner but should either be emailed to Jessica Fuqua or delivered in person to the Dean’s Offices in Sullivan Hall on the 2nd Floor.

The William L. Dwyer Inn of Court is part of the American Inns of Court, a national organization comprised of around 320 chapters and over 23,000 members.

Veterans' Law Panel

The Seattle U and UW chapters of Phi Alpha Delta are working together to help organize this event.

All Seattle U Law students are invited to attend. Please contact Emily Yoshiwara if you have questions.

Save the Date: Clerkship Kickoff

Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

If you plan to apply for post-graduate judicial clerkships this coming season, be sure to attend one of the two kickoff meetings:

• Tuesday, February 27, 2018: 12:00 - 1:00 pm in 328 or
• Tuesday, February 27, 2018: 5:00 - 6:00 pm in C1 

Attending a kickoff meeting is mandatory for clerkship applicants, so please contact Erin Fullner if you have a class or work conflict and need to explore makeup options.

Students who attend one of the kickoffs will have access to the clerkship program handbook and listserv the following week.

FAQs:

• What is a judicial clerkship? A judicial clerkship is a post-graduate position with a judge or justice, typically lasting one or two years. Not to be confused with judicial internships or externships, these positions are for lawyers, though applications are generally submitted while still in school. Clerkships are high-value opportunities that offer excellent preparation for practice. They are available at the state trial and appellate levels, in federal district and appellate courts, and often in other courts as well.
• When should I apply? Most applicants apply as 2Ls. Depending on the court, judges and justices will hire a year or more in advance. The "clerkship season" we are currently at the start of primarily focuses on clerkships with late summer/early fall 2019 start dates, though some federal courts are already advertising for 2020.
• Would I be a strong candidate? There are lots of different types of clerkships, so candidates should not count themselves out on grades alone. That said, some courts will require top grades and will strongly prefer candidates with law review/journal experience. Erin Fullner can help you evaluate which court(s) might be the best fit.
• If I've already begun applying for clerkships, is it too late to join the clerkship program? No! It's never to late to start taking advantage of the law school's clerkship application resources. Reach out today to help put together the strongest application strategy possible.
• Can alumni participate in the clerkship program? Yes. Please reach out to CPD.
• Who should I talk to if I want to decide if a clerkship is right for me? Erin Fullner is happy to talk through important considerations with you, and a number of Seattle U Law faculty have clerked and are excellent resources as well. 

VABAW Judicial Panel

Myths, Mysteries & Magistrate Judges: Getting the Straight Scoop from the Bench on How to Succeed in the Courtroom (FREE CLE)

The Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington and the King County Bar Association are pleased to present Myths, Mysteries & Magistrate Judges: Getting the Straight Scoop from the Bench on How to Succeed in the Courtroom (1.5 CLE credits pending approval), Friday, December 15, Noon to 1:30 pm (check-in begins at 11:30 am) at the federal courthouse in Seattle.

Presented by:

The Honorable James P. Donohue
Chief Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

The Honorable Mary Alice Theiler
Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

The Honorable Brian A. Tsuchida
Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Registration will open in late November, RSVPs will be accepted at that time. If you have questions in the meantime, contact the FBA co-chairs of membership, Jamie Lisagor or Karen Orehoski.

Student Applications Now Being Accepted to Dwyer Inn of Court

Current 2Ls are encouraged to apply for 2017-2018 membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court. One of the Inn of Court’s functions is to serve as an educational and mentoring organization to law students who are dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality, ethical lawyering. The general membership of the Inn is made up of judges, professors, law firm partners, prosecutors and defenders, and other lawyers with varying levels of practice experience. The Inn meets on the Seattle University campus the second Tuesday night of each of the nine months of the academic year for drinks, dinner, networking, and a CLE presentation.  Students are each assigned to one of seven sub-groups, called pupilages, where they work with the judges and lawyers in those groups to develop and help lead the monthly CLEs – each pupilage presents one CLE for the year.

Applications require a resume and a letter of interest detailing why you would like to join the Inn. There are seven spots available for Seattle University law students and applications will be reviewed by Professor Deborah Ahrens and Erin Fullner, Senior Associate Director of the Center for Professional Development. 

Selection criteria include a demonstrated interest in litigation and dispute resolution, participation in activities supporting that interest, and a thoughtful and compelling cover letter. The membership dues for 2017-2018 are $100, which will cover the cost of the nine meals.

Applications for the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court are due Wednesday, April 19 by 5 p.m. Application materials should be addressed to Prof. Ahrens and Ms. Fullner but can be emailed to Jessica Fuqua or delivered in person to the Dean’s Offices in Sullivan Hall on the 2^nd Floor.

The William L. Dwyer Inn of Court is part of the American Inns of Court, a national organization comprised of around 320 chapters and over 23,000 members.