Iowa Law’s judicial clerkship program continues to see success, with the Class of 2023 securing the highest number of clerkships in recent history, with graduates obtaining 47 judicial clerkships. These include 15 federal and 32 state positions.
A judicial clerkship is a prestigious and competitive one- or two-year position where a law graduate works closely with a judge to assist in formulating decisions. Clerks often review court records, conduct legal research, and help draft opinions.
Iowa Law alumni who graduated in 2023 earned clerkships nationwide, including six on the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Kate Conlow (23JD) secured a clerkship on the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Iowa. Conlow said her experiences as editor in chief of the Iowa Law Review and as a law clerk for FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya during her third year helped her prepare for this role.
“As a student writer on the Iowa Law Review, I was able to write my student note, which was similar to writing an appellate brief in terms of digging into an issue, researching, and writing it,” Conlow said. “As a clerk for Commissioner Bedoya, much of my work was researching issues, writing, and editing, but I also advised him and shared my thoughts on various matters. Much of a judicial law clerk’s work is thinking through complicated legal issues and then talking with a judge about your opinion, so to have a similar experience working for Commissioner Bedoya was incredibly valuable.”
Beyond the skills gained through student-edited journals, externships, and other law school experiences, Iowa Law students stand out to judges and employers for their exceptional writing abilities. With faculty boasting more than 120 years of collective legal writing experience, students receive a comprehensive writing education. From small-section writing courses and innovative programming to personalized tutoring sessions in the Writing and Academic Success Center, students graduate with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their legal careers.
“Our commitment to writing and our skill set in that key area make us unique among law schools. The result is our graduates stand out to prospective employers,” said Dean Kevin Washburn.