With thanks to NALP's Judicial Clerkship section and the NALP Bulletin.
Want to do corporate work? Think clerkships are not for you? Think again. Clerkships are a valuable experience for every lawyer, not just litigators. Here are a few reasons to think about clerking before you begin a transactional career:
(1) Clerks learn to review and analyze complex facts and laws; the ability to spot issues effectively is the cornerstone to any good legal practice.
(2) Clerks see all kinds of cases, including cases rising out of transactions gone bad. A clerkship can help lawyers identify potential trouble spots in a deal and talk to future clients about ways to avoid future litigation.
(3) Clerkships provide networking opportunities with other top-notch young attorneys that may form the foundation of future client-relations or lateral opportunities.
(4) Some courts have a big hand in shaping corporate law, for example the Delaware Chancery Court and the U.S. Tax Court. Lawyers training at these courts will have a working knowledge of these laws upon completion of their clerkships, and will be a step ahead of other junior attorneys.
Need help identifying good courts for a budding transactional attorney? Email judicialclerkships@virginia.edu to set up an appointment.
