THE HAROLD & FRANZINE HENDERSON JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM

A graduate of Michigan State University and Harvard Law School, Harold Henderson returned to MSU’s campus in October of 2019 with a mission: to encourage students of color to undertake judicial clerkship experiences.

Upon leaving law school, Henderson became a labor attorney for the Washington, DC, firm of Morgan, Lewis, & Bockius. After serving as the general counsel and chief legal officer at Amtrak, Henderson spent sixteen years with the National Football League, serving as executive vice president for Labor Relations and chairman of the NFL Management Council Executive Committee. Since his retirement in 2012, he continues to do consulting work for the NFL and serves as president and chair of the NFL Player Care Foundation, an independent organization dedicated to helping retired players improve their quality of life.

While his career is impressive and rewarding, Henderson has often looked back over the decades since law school and considered a road not taken. Many of Henderson’s Harvard Law classmates embarked upon prestigious (and low-paying) judicial clerkships after graduation, which at the time he viewed as a luxury that he could not afford. Today, he wonders where his law degree might have taken him had his path begun with a clerkship – a question that inspired his philanthropy.

Henderson’s work as a board member for the Council for Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) further enlightened him to the startling lack of minority representation amongst judicial clerks, inspiring him to take action.

“When I realized how few minority law graduates were taking clerkships and investigated why that was the case, I found that most had little or no knowledge about clerkships or how to obtain one until too late in the process to pursue the opportunity, much like me. When we raised the issue with MSU Law administration and faculty we learned they had made the same observations; they immediately engaged us in discussions on how to address the issue, and in short order we were able to put the program in place.”

With support from Henderson and his wife, Franzine, MSU Law established the Harold & Franzine Henderson Judicial Clerkship Mentoring Program in October 2019. The program commits to educating law students from disadvantaged backgrounds about the myriad benefits of starting their careers with a judicial clerkship, sending a cohort of MSU Law students to the ABA’s Judicial Clerkship Program (ABA-JCP) each year, and supporting them throughout the clerkship application process.

The Hendersons’ gift had an immediate impact on MSU Law students: six students attended the ABA-JCP in Austin, Texas, in February. This three-day intensive workshop provided students with unique opportunities to explore the working relationship between judges and their law clerks, and to experience the judicial decision making process. The group returned to MSU Law filled with a new enthusiasm for clerkships, information about how to secure those highly sought-after positions, and gratitude for the Hendersons’ generosity.

“We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response of the students,” Henderson said, “and we look forward to improving and expanding the program in the future.”

Harold & Franzine Henderson

The ABA’s Judicial Clerkship Program (JCP) introduces law students from diverse backgrounds from around the country to judges and law clerks. The program informs and educates the students as to the life-long benefits of a judicial clerkship, while also encouraging judges to consider students of color that they otherwise may not have considered for a judicial clerkship.

Courtesy of the American Bar Association, Diversity Pipeline – Projects and Initiatives

The ABA-JCP was a fantastic experience. I think over a dozen law schools were represented at the ABA-JCP, and we were able to network with students across the country. We met numerous judges from across the country as well: federal district court judges, appeals judges, and state court judges. I was inspired to be around so many students of color who are entering the legal profession.

— Pedro Berlanga III, ’21

Prior to law school, I did not know much about clerkships. However, after attending the program, I knew I would apply. I like that I made connections with three judges. I emailed them post program and one reviewed and helped me edit my cover letter. I also enjoyed being around so many established minority judges and lawyers. It was motivating and reassuring.

— Davina Bridges, ’21