Aspire

Career Paths

Judicial Clerkships

An outstanding training ground for any career path

Regardless of your career aspiration, a postgraduate judicial clerkship provides an outstanding entry-level legal experience and the chance to learn directly from a judge. 

Clerks read briefs, attend court proceedings, research and write bench memoranda analyzing the parties’ arguments, advise the judge on the disposition of a case, and draft opinions. Judges often become lifelong mentors and advocates, and form a foundation for an enduring professional network. 

Michigan Law has a strong tradition of placing students and graduates in clerkships at every level of the federal and state judiciaries, as well as with international tribunals. 

Our commitment to continuing that tradition is demonstrated by the resources that we make available to students seeking clerkships. 

We have seasoned faculty advisers who, together with a full-time attorney-counselor, provide one-on-one counseling to help students navigate what can be a challenging application process. 

Beyond our formally designated clerkship advisers, more than half of the faculty have served as law clerks, including many as former US Supreme Court clerks. 

They are happy to be part of your team of mentors, advisers, and advocates throughout the process.

Sarah Siegel, ’22

“Michigan Law has been a terrific support as I navigate my clerkship journey.”

Sarah Siegel, ’22

Clerk, US District Court for the Western District of Texas (2023–2024)
Clerk, Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg (2024)
Clerk, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2025–2026)

Learn More
A portrait of Lily Sawyer-Kaplan.

“Michigan Law trained me to view the law not in the abstract but as a tool that you can use to help people.”

Lily Sawyer-Kaplan, ’22

Clerk, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2022–2023)
Clerk, US District Court for the District of Columbia (2023–2024)

Learn More

20%

of the Class of 2023 secured clerkships commencing immediately after graduation.

13

of the 13 US courts of appeals had at least one Michigan Law clerk in the last three years.

12

Michigan Law graduates have held US Supreme Court clerkships in the last decade.
(In the last three decades, we’ve had at least one SCOTUS clerk in all but three years.)

2022-2024

Clerkships

362

Total Clerkships

275

Total Federal Clerkships

District (including Magistrates): 162
Circuit: 92
Bankruptcy: 8
Limited Jurisdiction: 13
(Administrative Office, Federal Claims,
Tax, and Veterans Claims)

3

US Supreme Court Clerkships

37

State Supreme Court Clerkships

40

Other State Court Clerkships

7

International Clerkships

We are Michigan Law

Michigan Law changes those of us who are fortunate enough to spend time here; it is a place that inspires victors who go into the world and do great things. Michigan Law is committed to providing a legal education that is unequaled and to maintaining the elite reputational value of our institution. We are dedicated to training great lawyers and leaders to advance the rule of law worldwide, advocate for the dispossessed, ensure the success of complex transactions, and provide the counsel necessary for clients who are innovators in many realms. Michigan Law is committed to producing exceptional 21st-century lawyers.

“Michigan Law has been a terrific support as I navigate my clerkship journey.”
“It’s hard to imagine such opportunities at any other law school.”
“I got so much support from the public interest community.”
"I found a new path when I learned more about public defense..."
“Michigan Law’s global reach is a tremendous asset to my career.”
“I didn’t feel like I was coming into the job on day one with a blank slate.”
“Meeting with alumni at Meet the Employers only reinforced my goals.”
“The support from OCP’s clerkship office…was instrumental.”
“Michigan Law allowed me to chart my unique academic path.”
“The University of Michigan’s reputation and “Go Blue!” chant carries far.”
“The Office of Career Planning was with me during every step of the process.”
“Michigan Law gave me confidence that I could do meaningful public interest work.”
“My experience at Michigan Law positioned me for my career in the US capital markets practice in Germany.”
“Michigan Law trained me to view the law not in the abstract but as a tool that you can use to help people.”
“The Office of Career Planning completely demystified the process.”
“Michigan Law pushed me to dig deeper and think about the harder questions.”
“Michigan Law’s network is vast, and the goodness of the people in it is real.”
“I gained the building blocks I needed to get a meaningful job after graduation.”
“The Career Planning Office ... makes the recruiting process manageable.”
“The faculty at Michigan Law helped me find my voice.”
“Wherever your path leads you, you’ll find fellow Michigan Law graduates.”
“I never felt limited to ‘traditional’ legal jobs during my time at Michigan Law.”
“Michigan Law welcomed me with open arms.”
“Professor Primus showed us how to be relentless, thoughtful, client-centered advocates.”
“I gained confidence that I could be happy and fulfilled as a member of the legal community.”
“My Supreme Court clerkship was my third federal clerkship since graduating from Michigan Law.”
“My career counselor was my biggest advocate at every step of the job application process.”
“The career planning advice wasn’t generalized; it was tailored to my interests and strengths.”
“The faculty’s approach is that passion plus engagement can change the world.”
“My professor hand-wrote a note to a judge that arrived just before my clerkship interview.”
“Michigan’s practical training and the support I received gave me the best possible start to my legal career.”
“Everyone at Michigan Law is willing to help you succeed.”
“Michigan’s extensive internship opportunities meant I could return to Japan during law school.”
“The natural camaraderie that Michigan fosters extends into the real world.”
“Michigan Law pushed me to dig deeper and think about the harder questions.”
“The faculty at Michigan Law helped me find my voice.”
“The faculty’s approach is that passion plus engagement can change the world.”
“Michigan Law has been a terrific support as I navigate my clerkship journey.”
“The support from OCP’s clerkship office…was instrumental.”
“Michigan Law trained me to view the law not in the abstract but as a tool that you can use to help people.”
“My Supreme Court clerkship was my third federal clerkship since graduating from Michigan Law.”
“My professor hand-wrote a note to a judge that arrived just before my clerkship interview.”
“Michigan Law’s global reach is a tremendous asset to my career.”
“I didn’t feel like I was coming into the job on day one with a blank slate.”
“Meeting with alumni at Meet the Employers only reinforced my goals.”
“Michigan Law allowed me to chart my unique academic path.”
“The University of Michigan’s reputation and “Go Blue!” chant carries far.”
“The Office of Career Planning was with me during every step of the process.”
“My experience at Michigan Law positioned me for my career in the US capital markets practice in Germany.”
“Michigan Law’s network is vast, and the goodness of the people in it is real.”
“The Career Planning Office ... makes the recruiting process manageable.”
“Wherever your path leads you, you’ll find fellow Michigan Law graduates.”
“I never felt limited to ‘traditional’ legal jobs during my time at Michigan Law.”
“Michigan Law welcomed me with open arms.”
“The career planning advice wasn’t generalized; it was tailored to my interests and strengths.”
“My professor hand-wrote a note to a judge that arrived just before my clerkship interview.”
“Everyone at Michigan Law is willing to help you succeed.”
“Michigan’s extensive internship opportunities meant I could return to Japan during law school.”
“The natural camaraderie that Michigan fosters extends into the real world.”
“It’s hard to imagine such opportunities at any other law school.”
“I got so much support from the public interest community.”
"I found a new path when I learned more about public defense..."
“Michigan Law gave me confidence that I could do meaningful public interest work.”
“The Office of Career Planning completely demystified the process.”
“I gained the building blocks I needed to get a meaningful job after graduation.”
“Professor Primus showed us how to be relentless, thoughtful, client-centered advocates.”
“I gained confidence that I could be happy and fulfilled as a member of the legal community.”
“My career counselor was my biggest advocate at every step of the job application process.”
“Michigan’s practical training and the support I received gave me the best possible start to my legal career.”