Good timing because vacancies filled swiftly and luck because identifying every judge with an opening was nearly impossible. But the search just got easier. This new web site should meet the needs of both judges and law students since it creates a level playing field by giving all interested parties equal access to the same information. It also opens up the selection process to a potentially broader range of candidates from different law schools and parts of the country. No password is needed and no fee is charged for public, read-only access to the database.
Applicants can search for vacancies by location, a specific court, or an individual judge.
I believe it will be a tremendously useful tool for both judges and law clerk applicants. In recent weeks, federal judges throughout the country received detailed instructions on entering their law clerk vacancy announcements. These announcements can include the court's address, a contact person, how applications should be submitted, and when interviews will take place. Special requirements also may be noted, such as fluency in a particular language.