62 10.2 Academic Considerations for Students

Why Consider a Judicial Internship?

Academic placements with courts are excellent options for students who might be interested in clerking for their articles or after law school. However, law students interested in all practice areas can gain a deeper understanding of the administration of justice while attending a placement in a court setting. Judicial internships are unparalleled opportunities to engage in the real operation of the courts and see first-hand the decision-making processes and day-to-day realities of judges. Judicial internships are also opportunities to observe and reflect on advocacy, as judicial interns observe many lawyers over their time with the court. Students also comment on the “view from the bench” which requires seeing multiple viewpoints on any single case. This typically broadens a student’s understanding of advocacy and justice more generally. For more insight into the experiences of former clerks, see the articles:

Law Clerking at the Supreme Court of Canada by Michael Herman and Clerking at the Supreme Court of Canada by Mitchell McInnes, Janet Bolton and Natalie Derzko.

Academic Requirements

Each law school will have its own specific program requirements. To qualify and have the necessary pre-requisites, these students will typically be in 2L second semester or 3L. As a student, it is wise to connect with the school’s academic coordinator or knowledgeable professors and consider how a judicial internship fits into the student’s wider learning and career goals. Of course, goals can be adjusted as the placement progresses.

Each court may have different course requirements. For example, Evidence is a helpful course in most judicial internships. Students are not expected to know all aspects of the law (if such a skill even exists); however, some skillsets are assets in this environment.

Perhaps most importantly, students should be equipped with strong legal research and writing skills. They should have a strong capacity for reading and be able to discern relevant information. They should be independent learners and take the initiative to build interpersonal relationships. They should be highly adaptable and be able to respond to changes in the court schedule with short notice. Ethical and professional conduct, like the ability to maintain confidentiality, is also extremely important.