The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law hosted its Third Annual Judicial Reception on Thursday, November 10th. The evening event, which is attended each year by judges from the regional federal and state bench, is a way of thanking the judiciary for the significant role they play in hiring Maryland Carey Law students and graduates as judicial law clerks and interns. The reception also provides a unique opportunity for students to interact with judges outside of a courtroom and learn about the important legal work that happens in judicial chambers.

The Honorable Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals; the Honorable George Russell, III, District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland; and Dean Donald Tobin offered remarks in which they stressed the critical role of judicial clerks and interns in the legal process and encouraged students to serve in these roles.

Maryland Carey Law has a rich history of graduates serving as judicial clerks and interns. Alumni serve as judicial clerks at all levels of the judiciary, including state trial and appellate courts, federal trial and appellate courts, and federal administrative agencies. The Maryland Carey Law clerking tradition even extends beyond the United States, with past judicial law clerks serving in foreign courts of law.

Each year, 20-30% of the employed graduates of the Maryland Carey Law graduating class serve as judicial law clerks. This is an impressive number when compared to the national average of 8-10%. Moreover, this number does not include Maryland Carey Law alumni who clerk for multiple years or who leave law practice to clerk.

Additionally, each year, Maryland Carey Law students serve as judicial interns to judges at all levels of the state and federal judiciary. Many of these students receive course credit for this work through the Judicial Asper Program. Maryland Carey Law believes that serving as a judicial law clerk and intern is a great stepping stone to a stellar legal career and is dedicated to helping our students and alumni prepare for and obtain such positions.

For more information about the Maryland Carey Law judicial clerkship program and judicial intern opportunities, please contact Jennifer Pollard, Director of Judicial Clerkships in the Career Development Office.