The world of clerkship is about to see a significant shakeup with the imminent launch of a novel database aimed at aiding young lawyers to effectively assess the judges they work for. This tool, as reported recently in the Washington Post, promises to provide law students with a direct, unfiltered way to evaluate which judges carry positive — or negative — reputations as employers.
This adds an extra layer of refinement to the selection process for future clerks. On platforms like Above The Law, concrete case reviews of judges showcase examples of actions that could significantly impact the decision-making of law students. Considerations might range from apprehensions about judges with a history of unnecessarily involving law enforcement in court disputes to those with a tendency for unprofessional behavior during trials.
This innovative venture is the brainchild of Aliza Shatzman, a seasoned contributor to Above The Law who has chronicled the various nuances and intricacies of the legal profession extensively. Shatzman, in a candid revelation about the potential career ramifications of clerkship, indicated how detrimental a wrong choice of judge during a clerkship can be.
According to her, an unfavorable appraisal can shatter the career aspirations of young clerks in the convoluted legal labyrinth. Having endured the disappointment of revoked job opportunities due to a negative review, Shatzman laid the foundations of the Legal Accountability Project (LAP). Now, she is proactive in promoting the creation of safer and conducive workplaces for legal employees, making the LAP a staunch advocate for stronger legal protections for law clerks.
By enabling potential clerks to steer clear of experiences that might result in legal suits, this database is poised to make a worthwhile contribution to the legal profession. Despite other options like Above The Law, this incoming database, bearing the indelible Shatzman stamp, undeniably promises a degree of confidence for future law clerks.
For more details, read the full article on Above the Law.