Rankings · Employment

Best schools for federal clerkships

Law schools ranked by federal judicial clerkship placement — one of the most competitive and career-defining outcomes in law. Includes all clerkship types, broken out by federal, state, and international. ABA Class of 2024.

Showing schools 2025 ABA Data · Class of 2024
# School Tier Federal Clerkship % All Clerkships % BigLaw % Graduates
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About Federal Clerkships
One of the most competitive outcomes in law

A federal judicial clerkship — working directly for a judge in an Article III court, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, bankruptcy courts, or other federal tribunals — is among the most sought-after early-career positions in law. Clerks gain unparalleled legal writing experience, judicial insight, and a credential that opens doors throughout legal careers.

Federal Clerkship % is computed as federal clerkship placements divided by total graduates — the same denominator used across all Atlas Legis employment metrics. All Clerkships % adds state, local, tribal, and international clerkships to the total. The gap between these two figures reflects a school's state-level clerkship pipeline, which can be particularly relevant for students interested in state appellate careers.

Note on small class sizes: Schools with fewer than 50 graduates may show disproportionately high or low clerkship rates due to small sample sizes. A single clerkship in a 30-person class represents over 3%. View individual school profiles for full employment context. Browse all school profiles →