Judicial Clerkship Program inspires students to consider career opportunities

For 23 years, the American Bar Association Judicial Clerkship Program (JCP) has helped diverse law students experience the work of a judicial clerk and connect with federal, state and administrative judges and lawyers. This year, Willamette Law sent two students to New Orleans to spend three days learning firsthand in the JCP.

Irma Alvarez Carrillo JD’24 signed up for the JCP to explore career paths after graduation. She always knew she wanted to go to law school and has enjoyed seeing how judges interact with their cases. While she says having judges as professors is significant, the program helped her see how they work and what they look for in judicial clerks.

“The program was particularly interesting to me, because you often hear that these processes can be selective, and if you don’t have a particular background, you can be overlooked,” she says.

Too often, historically underrepresented students won’t apply for clerkships because they don’t see others who look like them and come from similar backgrounds, Alvarez Carrillo explains.

“An overarching theme of the program was to apply and not take yourself out of the running because you aren’t certain your resume perfectly aligns,” she shares.

Jarely Castro JD’23, another attendee, grew up in a small town in Wyoming. Meeting her parents’ immigration attorney inspired her to become an advocate for others.

The JCP introduced Castro to fellow law students, lawyers and judges who had similar experiences. By hearing more about their stories, Castro saw she was capable of accomplishing the same goals.

“This experience was great,” she says. “I got to learn from the people there, meet judges and receive feedback from them, and attend oral arguments at the Louisiana Supreme Court. One of the most valuable opportunities was the chance to have my resume reviewed by a judge.”

As first-generation students, Alvarez Carrillo and Castro reflected on the importance of finding community, both in law school and in future practice. This is frequently a pivotal aspect in ensuring people accomplish their goals and don’t get lost in the legal profession, they share.

“It’s easier to navigate law school and the isolation that can exist by finding people that understand you and your circumstances,” Alvarez Carrillo says. “It makes a world of difference.”

The JCP had a profound impact on how both students are approaching legal education and looking to find judicial clerkship positions.

“I am appreciative of this opportunity,” Castro says. “It’s important to continue to provide more opportunities like this for minority and first generation students who come to law school. These resources are like gold for us — they can really inspire and motivate us.”

Willamette’s participation in the JCP is made possible in part by a fund established to memorialize the work of former Dean Robert Misner.