The 25th Annual ABA Judicial Clerkship Program (JCP) celebrated a quarter-century of shaping the next generation of legal professionals at the American Bar Association (ABA) Midyear Meeting in Phoenix. The program, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, brought together 70 law students from 17 law schools across the country.

ABA President Bill Bay addressed students, judges, and clerks, emphasising the program’s significance, “This is the future of our association,” he stated.

The JCP, sponsored by the ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline and the ABA Judicial Division, provides law students with hands-on experience in judicial clerkships. Over three days, participants engage in legal research, draft memoranda or briefs, and interact with judges and experienced clerks. The program also includes panel discussions, workshops, and career-building sessions, helping students navigate the clerkship application process.

ABA President-elect Michelle Behnke and ABA Executive Director Alpha Brady delivered opening remarks, reinforcing the ABA’s commitment to Goal III, which seeks to eliminate bias and enhance diversity in the legal system.

“The ABA believes in excellence, and excellence demands diversity,” Bay said.

Participants had the opportunity to observe oral arguments at the Arizona Supreme Court and engage with esteemed legal professionals. Administrative Law Judge Ann Breen-Greco, a longtime program mentor, highlighted the program’s impact:

“The students begin to articulate legal theories—a challenging task when sitting with experienced judges and lawyers. Their commitment, passion, and seriousness about the program are inspiring.”

Law students praised the program’s role in broadening perspectives and fostering inclusivity.

“This dialogue between generations, schools, states, and backgrounds is essential to creating a more equitable legal landscape,” said Dominic Bellido, a first-year student at the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Michael Chambers Jr., a first-year student at South Texas College of Law in Houston, emphasised the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making, a principle he hopes to incorporate into his future legal career.

The program featured insightful discussions led by judges and clerks from Arizona, Nevada, and Minnesota courts, including:

1. “Clerking: A Bridge to Any Legal Career” – A panel exploring the versatility of judicial clerkships.
2. Justice Linda Bell (Nevada Supreme Court) – A session on the ethics of clerking.
3. U.S. District Court Judge Diane Humetewa (District of Arizona) – Delivered the keynote address.

As the ABA Judicial Clerkship Program marks its 25th anniversary, it continues to serve as a vital initiative in fostering a more inclusive and diverse legal profession, ensuring that the next generation of legal minds is equipped for success in the judiciary and beyond.