Application for the Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization Program
The Judicial Resources Committee of the United States Judicial Conference and Just The Beginning – A Pipeline Organization host the annual Summer Judicial Internship Diversity Project (“Project”). The Project’s goal is to provide underrepresented law students summer judicial internships in the chambers of federal and state appellate judges, federal district judges, and federal bankruptcy and magistrate judges. The Project is national in scope and seeks to place approximately 100 law students as judicial interns across the country.
IU Maurer School of Law students participate most years. It’s a competitive program, but a very good program and our students have been successful. Doing an externship with a federal judge or a state appellate judge is not only a great learning opportunity for new lawyers, but also provides students with prestigious credentials for their further career development.
Interns have the opportunity to draft bench memoranda, judicial orders, and opinions on a variety of substantive matters, including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, magistrate judge reports, and habeas corpus petitions. Applicants should possess strong research and writing skills and be prepared to handle the rigors of working in a court.
Each year, the school posts the application information when it comes out and directs students to prepare their application materials with Prof. Inge Van der Cruysse. Please look for announcements in CareerNet, through some student organizations, and on this website. You can also sign up for the newsletter of the organization, which you can find here.
The application form and other information on how to apply, is typically made available in December. Make sure to get your materials ready over winter break and to call on Prof. Van der Cruysse for assistance with a detailed review of your application.