At some point, most law students will hear that a judicial experience is an excellent way to round out their legal education. While postgraduation clerkships are not a perfect fit for everyone, judicial externships can be much more accessible. For those who may need a refresher, an externship is an opportunity to gain academic credit for doing substantive legal work with a government or nonprofit agency. Colorado Law offers a robust externship program whose participants have included Colorado state and federal courts at every level: the Deming Center Venture Fund; The Nature Conservancy; district attorney and attorney general offices; public defender offices; the Colorado State Senate and Secretary of State; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies; and Boulder Community Health, among others.
I knew I wanted a chance to work behind the scenes with a judge and hear his or her take on the pleadings and perspective on the courtroom proceedings, but I wasn’t exactly sure what type of clerkship might be right for me as a “real-world job” after graduation. I applied to both the Boulder County District Court and County Court of Boulder County to test those waters.
In a positive twist of fate, the Boulder County Combined Court recently began allowing student clerks the option of splitting time between the county and district courts during a single semester. I was the second student to take them up on that offer.
In a positive twist of fate, the Boulder County Combined Court recently began allowing student clerks the option of splitting time between the county and district courts during a single semester. I was the second student to take them up on that offer.
Working at the Boulder County Combined Court is an experiential learning opportunity unlike any other. While most judicial externships allow you to work closely with a single judge and his or her staff, at the combined court students work with multiple judges simultaneously on a wide variety of dockets.
Taking an assignment or two from many different judges, I got a taste of just about everything that is happening here in our local courts and the subtle differences each judge can bring to the process. Some judges have a very particular style you need to adopt when writing their orders, some give detailed critiques and wonderful feedback about your writing, and others may give extreme latitude in approaching a project. All of them are incredibly friendly and patient, and really seem to care about making it a great learning experience for students. District Judge Thomas Mulvahill (’87) in particular makes sure to check in with students regularly and gives as much feedback as possible.
From one day to the next, you are asked to learn completely disparate areas of law, from topics that never crossed your mind to ones you might have a particular interest in, and over the course of a semester you’ll rarely look at the same type of issue twice. It gives you a great opportunity to explore your own personal interests, style, and aptitudes. If you do have a particular area of interest, you are always free to sit in on anything that is happening in the courtrooms, to attend the staff trainings on practical law topics, and to ask for projects directly from any of the judges.
In the county court, there are plenty of chances to step right in as a bailiff or to write an actual order, and not simply sit in front of a computer doing research for memos all day. Toward the end of last semester, I had the pleasure of sitting beside County Judge Elizabeth Brodsky (’97) for one particularly long day in trial, getting her thoughts in real time on everything that was happening in the courtroom, and then working closely with her to determine the final orders. I learned what good and bad lawyering looks like from the other side of the bench, what is or is not particularly compelling evidence, and the importance of managing your client (and their expectations). I felt entirely outside my comfort zone when it all began, but Judge Brodsky confidently handed me an enormous project to complete, and you just can’t help but live up to her expectations.
I learned what good and bad lawyering looks like from the other side of the bench, what is or is not particularly compelling evidence, and the importance of managing your client (and their expectations).
The district court, on the other hand, has more complicated trials, which leads to many interesting conversations back in chambers and the opportunity to learn what the judges are thinking as the case unfolds. You get to see the ins and outs of a jury trial, from the selection process to the postjudgment jury conferencing, and to really appreciate how the experience impacts the jurors and litigants differently. The clerks, many of whom are recent Colorado Law graduates, are all quick to teach you what they know and include you in everything that is happening, both in and out of the courtroom. The best part of this experience is that everyone seems to have a genuine interest in helping you navigate the transition from school to career.
Learn more about Colorado Law's externships
Pictured, L-R: C.J. Stock (’18), Tim Drake (’18), Elizabeth Field (’18), The Honorable Thomas Mulvahill (’87), The Honorable Elizabeth Brodsky (’97), Cassy Zobel (’18), Erin Pierce (’18)