Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Judicial Clerkship Program Celebrates Record Year for Placements

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is pleased to share the latest news from the judicial clerkship program, which continues to enjoy tremendous success. The current 2023-24 term is the Law School’s best year to date, with an impressive 83 graduates clerking in 25 states and D.C. This exceeds last year—the Law School’s next best term—by more than 20%. The map below conveys the variety and breadth of the experiences of Northwestern Pritzker Law judicial clerks this year.

Among the JD class of 2023, 10% went directly into a judicial clerkship. In total, 2023 graduates have secured 44 clerkships for the 2023 term and beyond, while alumni with at least one year of post-graduate experience continue to comprise the majority of clerks. The Law School also made strides in diversifying the law clerk pool, with a growing number of students from traditionally underrepresented groups securing clerkships. Among the law clerks from the class of 2023, 35% self-identify as a person of color, 13% as LGBTQ+, 32% as a first-generation college or law student, and 6% as a person with a disability. 

“Congratulations to our talented students and alumni and to the wonderful faculty, staff, and alumni who advise and support them,” said Dean Hari Osofsky. “I would like to especially thank Janet Siegel Brown and all those in the judicial clerkships program who make such a difference for our students and alumni.”

Some of the Law School’s most recent alumni clerks have been selected for prestigious public service opportunities in the upcoming year, including law clerk to the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General, and Skadden Fellow at the National Immigrant Justice Center. Others are making their mark in law firms of all sizes, government agencies, and legal aid organizations.

“I would like to thank the faculty and staff members who have provided guidance and encouragement to our clerkship applicants this year,” said Janet Siegel Brown, Lecturer and Director of Judicial Clerkships. “And congratulations to our graduating students who have accepted clerkships – 27 to date and growing!”

Northwestern Pritzker Law is deeply committed to supporting students and graduates who wish to clerk, including providing comprehensive advising and assistance with the application and interviewing process. Throughout the year, the Law School hosts educational programs, such as clerkship information sessions, alumni law clerk panels, and a variety of events that bring judges to campus to speak to and interact with students. Northwestern Pritzker Law also has a robust year-round judicial externship program in which students receive academic credit for working in a judge’s chambers paired with a weekly seminar on topics related to judicial decision-making.  All members of the law school community are invited to reach out to learn more about the judicial clerkships program and how you can be a part of its success.