Judicial Law Clerks Episodes

For the first time on Personal Jurisdiction, we are excited to speak to a state Supreme Court law clerk! In this episode, Jacob Abudaram shares his unique experience clerking for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawai'i, including how the history of the state impacts judicial decision making and why policy and advocacy work is part of his role. We also chat with Jacob about his desire to pursue a career in public interest and how his personal and educational background led him to seek out a Skadden Fellowship at the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU) Disability Rights Program, where he will focus on the intersection of climate change and disability rights and justice for the 2024-2026 term. Not to be missed: Jacob shares the secret to making delicious hummus and why he started a hummus business in law school!

We're rounding out Season 4 with Roshanna Toya, Attorney & Chief Justice of the Pueblo of Isleta Appellate Court. This is a special episode because Roshanna is not only a tribal court Justice, but she has also clerked at both the state and federal levels. Her vast experience across various parts of the judiciary make her advice and insights one of a kind. Roshanna shares her pre-law school experience as an associate justice of the Pueblo of Isleta Appellate Court, her inspiration to attend law school, her clerkship experiences both at the state and federal levels, and what it means to be the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Pueblo of Isleta Appellate Court. We're grateful to have the opportunity to share this inspiring conversation with Roshanna Toya as Episode 62.

Calling all interested in clerkships! In this special episode, Preston Hollis and Jacqueline Martinez share their experience as current co-clerks on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. They discuss their path to clerking (hint: neither of them knew they wanted to clerk, or really even what a clerkship was, when they started law school), how different judicial externships led them down the path to clerking, what their day-to-day looks like as a federal district court clerk, and advice they have for people who want to clerk. Spoiler--one of their best pieces of advice is to not count yourself out! So if you've ever thought about clerking, this episode is for you.

If you're interested in clerking, this episode is for you! During Episode 15, we chat with Donya Khadem, a University of Michigan Law School graduate who embarked on two clerkships right after graduation. She first clerked on the Eastern District of Michigan and is currently a judicial law clerk on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Donya shares her perspective on clerking for two different federal courts, including what she learned from each clerkship, the differences between a district court and an appellate court clerkship, and how the stereotypes about different types of clerkships may not tell the whole story. Enjoy the show!