All justices hire two briefing attorneys for one-year terms.
Each briefing attorney assists their judge with general legal research, study of petitions for review, preparation for oral argument, and research and writing of opinions. Unlike most appellate courts, the Supreme Court permits briefing attorneys to sit in on its conference deliberations. Sometimes, briefing attorneys will be asked to make oral presentations or answer questions about the law or the facts during conference. While applications are open to all students who will graduate by June 2002, strong preference is given to candidates with outstanding academic records and demonstrated writing ability. Some justices may require their briefing attorneys to sit for the Texas bar examination in July 2002.