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Judges Seek Jazz Quintet for Clerks, Not Politics
12 Oct
Summary
- Judges prioritize compatibility and long-term relationships over political ideology for clerks.
- Clerkship hiring is compared to assembling a jazz quintet for skill and harmony.
- Judges rely on trusted recommendations, often valuing experience and maturity.
A recent study, "What Judges Want," found that judges prioritize personal qualities over political leanings when selecting law clerks. Contrary to common student beliefs, political ideology is not a leading factor in hiring for these coveted one-year positions. Judges instead seek individuals with specific skills who can also foster harmonious working relationships and potentially develop lifelong connections.
The hiring process is likened to assembling a "jazz quintet," emphasizing the need for skilled players who can collaborate effectively and build lasting rapport. This approach means judges often rely on recommendations from trusted law professors or fellow judges, sometimes finding law school grades less indicative of a candidate's suitability for their chambers.
Beyond immediate job performance, judges often nurture enduring relationships with former clerks, viewing them as confidants. This finding comes as the study also highlights the growing trend of "stacking" judicial clerkships, where graduates complete multiple clerkships, which can limit opportunities for other aspiring lawyers.
