Navigating the Clerkship Process for Law Students of Color and First Generation Law Students 2026

The American Constitution Society (ACS) and The Appellate Project (TAP) hosted a panel discussion designed for law students of color and first-generation law students that demystified judicial clerkships and highlighted them as an attainable pathway.

Participants gained insight into the clerkship process, including the differences among state, federal, trial, and appellate clerkships, the qualities judges look for in judicial clerks, and what the day-to-day experience of clerking looks like. Panelists also provided best practices for navigating the application process and discussed the critical importance of increasing diversity within judicial clerkships.

The conversation was moderated by TAP Board Member and alumnus Justin Lam, who serves as counsel in the Brennan Center for Justice's Voting Rights and Elections Program, where he conducts research, litigation, and advocacy to defend the right to vote.

Panelists:

Judge Ana de Alba, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Justice Anita Earls, North Carolina Supreme Court

Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Judge Carlton Reeves, United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

Opening Remarks:

Phil Brest, President, American Constitution Society