Westminster Hall was abuzz with conversation the evening of Nov. 2 when students enjoyed a valuable opportunity to network with more than 50 judges at the annual Maryland Carey Law Judicial Reception.
Among those offering advice and information were Chief Judge James Bredar on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and Justices Jonathan Biran and Brynja Booth of the Supreme Court of Maryland.
Ranked 4th nationally for clerkships, Maryland Carey Law puts on the reception as part of the law school’s program to help students build relationships with members of the judiciary.
“Hosting the Judicial Reception is one of the integral components of our judicial clerkship and internship efforts,” said Director of Judicial Clerkships Jennifer Pollard. “It fosters relationships between our local judiciary and our faculty and students.”
Indeed, each year after the reception, students report to Pollard that they secured positions with a judge at the reception, were encouraged to apply to a judge they otherwise would not have considered, or had such meaningful conversations with judges that they have a competitive advantage over other clerk and intern candidates. “This is a win for both the judiciary and our school,” Pollard added.
Each year, around 30% of Maryland Carey Law graduates move into clerkship positions.
Judges at the reception were accompanied by current judicial clerks, many of whom, as with several of the judges themselves, are Maryland Carey Law alumni. According to Pollard, their presence at the reception is helpful for students because they facilitate introductions between students and judges, and serve as a resource for students seeking information from someone actually doing the job.
Vice Dean Deb Eisenberg offered welcome remarks to the packed room, thanking the members of the judiciary present and reminding students of the benefits of working as clerks and judicial interns.
“We are so very grateful for the judges in the room,” she said. “Many of you are our alumni and adjunct faculty, and those who did not attend our law school have been adopted into our Maryland Carey Law community. Thank you for mentoring, supporting, and hiring our students.”