FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
(Updated June 27, 2008)
Is September 3rd the postmark date for the federal clerkship applications or may they be mailed beforehand?
The Federal judges will begin accepting applications on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 so you may send the applications by mail, or by federal express, or by any other means beforehand so that they arrive on that date. Applications submitted on OSCAR will be released to the judges on September 3rd.
What are the relevant dates for submitting an application to the Federal Courts?
- In 2008, law clerk applications from third year students and letters of reference on their behalf, may be received beginning on Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
- OSCAR applications will be available to judges on Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
- There will be a short "reading period" before interviews during which law clerk applications and letters of reference can be received, sorted, and reviewed by chambers. No interviews may be held during the reading period, and no offers may be extended during the reading period.
- Beginning on Monday, September 8, 2008 at noon (EDT), judges may begin scheduling interviews to take place after the reading period.
- Judges may not conduct interviews or extend offers before Thursday, September 11, 2008.
- See the Law Clerk Hiring Plan for more details. http://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/lawclerk.nsf/Content/SUMMARY?OpenDocument
Does the Law Clerk Hiring Date apply to state courts as well as federal courts?
No. Many state courts have decided to follow the federal system, but many do not. Please see the Career Services Website-Current Opportunities and Deadlines section for our chart on state appellate court deadlines and a link to The Vermont Law School Guide to state clerkships.
Do the provisions of the Law Clerk Hiring Plan apply to law graduates as well as students?
No. The Plan does not cover applicants who have graduated from Law School. Judges may interview and hire law school graduates at any time.
How do I get the faculty recommendation letters from the Faculty Support Office?
See the Clerkship Letter of Recommendation fact sheet for the four steps for obtaining faculty letters of recommendation. If you are preparing your list from a location other than the Law School, Faculty Support will develop three MS Excel Files that you should use to submit your "list of judges" to Faculty Support Services and complete the webform to identify faculty members.
The Faculty Support Center can also produce the address labels.
When do I need to submit my list of judges to the Faculty Support Office?
If you submit your list of judges by August 1st and the letters are ready as well, the office can guarantee that they will be processed in time for the September 3rd date.
How many applications may I send?
75. If you have a need to apply to more than 75, please submit a one paragraph explanation to Maris Abbene or Dean Wylie (by e-mail) before noon on July 18, 2008 for consideration by the Clerkship Committee.
What should I say in the cover letter?
The letters that are most targeted to the judges are the most successful. Explain why you want to clerk for that judge or that specific court. Keep it simple.
Where is the Most Up to Date List of Judges? Who are Hiring?
OSCAR will list all of the federal judges, except for judges on the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. The judges, however, will retain the freedom to decide whether or not to post clerkship information on the site. You can also cross reference with the Judicial Yellow Book to see the judges for the district and you can tell there is no one central database for all state court judges from the listings if they have Career Clerks.
What is OSCAR?
The Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR) is a system that will permit applicants to file their federal clerkship application materials online and designate those judges to whom they wish to apply. Federal judges and staff will be able to read, sort and manage applications on line beginning on September 3, 2008.
Last year, over 754 federal judges accepted online applications through OSCAR. Some listed Judges may choose to accept paper applications. Each judge will make his or her own determination.
How do I use the OSCAR system?
Access OSCAR at https://oscar.symplicity.com/ [Yes, this is the same Symplicity that orchestrates our on-campus recruitment program] and complete the on-line applicant registration for new users.
Do faculty recommendations have to be included in the application packages?
Yes. The federal judges' ad hoc committee report included a recommendation that students submit their recommendation letters (in sealed envelopes) with their application materials. If a letter is mailed separately, the outside of the envelope should be clearly marked: Clerkship Recommendation for [Applicant Name].
What about employer recommendations?
Employer recommendations should be included as well.