About the Opportunity Judicial Clerkship Program
The Opportunity Judicial Clerkship Program allows traditionally underrepresented first- and second-year law students the opportunity to clerk for a judge serving on the New Mexico Supreme Court, New Mexico Court of Appeals or US District Court for the District of New Mexico for 10 weeks during the summer. Underrepresented students include, but are not limited to, members of racial or ethnic minorities, women, identify as LGBTQIA+, students with disabilities, and/or students who are economically disadvantaged.
Eligibility, Requirements and Compensation
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a first- or second-year law student at an accredited U.S. law school.
- The applicant must be from a traditionally underrepresented group based on gender, race or ethnicity, disability, low-income, first-generation college student status, veteran status, or identity as LGBTQ+ (or other historically underrepresented group).
Requirements
- The time commitment depends on the work of the chambers, but averages 30 hours per week, from May until July. The externship must be the student’s first work priority. Any work or schooling conflicts must be disclosed to the application committee.
- The extern must be available to work in-person as required by the chambers where they work.
- The applicant must be willing to comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct that applies to the chambers where they work.
Compensation
- Accepted applicants receive $6,000 for successful completion of the 10-week program.
Application
The application period for this opportunity is from October 15, 2026 until November 30, 2026.
To apply, please send the following information to Aja Brooks at ojcp@nmcourts.gov:
- Cover letter / personal statement: Personal statements should set forth the reasons why the applicant wants to participate in the program and why they should be selected. Applicants’ letters should address aspects of identity that are most significant to them and meet the criteria of the program, narratives that shaped the applicants’ life, career aspirations and/or personal motivation. Identify any ties to New Mexico or interest in practicing in New Mexico. Please limit to two pages.
- Resume/ CV: Please limit to 2 pages.
- Letter of Reference: One letter, preferably from a law professor.
- Writing Sample: One writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s legal research and writing skills. The sample may be an excerpt from a larger document and/or produced for a law school academic course. Please limit to 5 pages double spaced in Times New Roman or similar, no larger than 14-point.
- Proof of Good Academic Standing: Please have your law school submit this directly to ojcp@nmcourts.gov.
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