Eligibility and Application

Law students meeting the following criteria are eligible to apply:

• The applicant must be a first- or second-year law student at an accredited U.S. law school. If the applicant attends the University of New Mexico School of Law, the applicant must be a second-year law student.
• The applicant must be in academic good standing with their law school.
• The applicant must be available for the 10-week program beginning May 20, 2024- June 26, 2024. The time commitment depends on the work of the chambers, but it averages 30 hours a week. It is the student’s first work priority. Any work or schooling conflicts must be disclosed to the application committee.
• The applicant must be willing to comply with the Rules of Judicial Conduct that apply to the judicial chambers where they work.
• The applicant must be able to attend the Judicial Clerkship Bootcamp dates October 26, 2023, November 16, 2023, January 25, 2024, and February 22, 2024.
• The applicant must be from an underrepresented group based on gender, race or ethnicity, disability, low-income, first-generation college student status, veteran status, or identity as LGBTQ+.

Applicants for the Judicial Clerkship Program are required to submit the following materials for consideration:

a. Cover letter/personal statement: Applicants’ personal statements should include general autobiographical information (family, academic, employment, or financial history; community or work experience, and extracurricular activities). The statement should set forth the reasons why the applicant wants to participate in the program and why the applicant should be selected. Applicants’ letters should state personal characteristics, overcoming adversity, career goals, and/or personal motivation.The applicant should also identify any ties to the State of New Mexico or interest in practicing in the State of New Mexico after law school graduation. The cover letter is limited to two (2) pages.

b. Professional resume or curriculum vitae: The resume/cv is limited to two (2) pages.

c. Letter of Reference: Limit one one (1). Preferably from a law professor.

d. One writing sample:One legal research writing sample should demonstrate the applicant’s research and writing skills. The writing sample must not exceed five pages double spaced in Times New Roman font or similar, not larger than 14 point font. The writing sample may be an excerpt from a larger document and may be a writing sample used during a law school academic course.

e. Proof of academic standing:Applicants must submit proof of academic standing. This must be submitted on behalf of the applicants law school to memberservices@sbnm.org. Applicants are not permitted to submit academic transcript of make reference to GPA or class rank.

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Deadline

Application must be submitted as ONE (1) document or PDF. Applications and proof of academic standing must be submitted to the State Bar of New Mexico Member Services Department by close of business Monday, September 12, 2022.