The Selection Process

The Supreme Court Fellows Commission selects the fellows through a process that includes review of submitted materials and interviews of the finalists. The Commission, which consists of a panel of distinguished judges, lawyers, and professors selected by the Chief Justice, seeks outstanding applicants who are personable, discreet, trustworthy, and committed to serving the federal judiciary.

As a prestigious national program, the Supreme Court Fellowship has attracted first-rate candidates for more than 40 years. The process is highly competitive. The Program is particularly interested in candidates who are completing a judicial clerkship, are interested in pursuing an academic career or a career in public service, and wish to deepen their knowledge of the federal judicial system.

Candidates must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They will be expected to perform well in demanding office environments that reward initiative, collegiality, discretion, and sound judgment. Ideal candidates are highly motivated and creative. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, and are required to have a J.D. or other post-graduate degree to be eligible for consideration.

The Commission’s review of applications begins promptly after the filing deadline. The Commission will select a small group of finalists for interviews in Washington, DC and will conduct the interviews in conjunction with the Supreme Court Fellows Program Alumni Association’s annual dinner. The finalists will be invited to attend the dinner and a panel discussion sponsored by the Alumni Association. The program will pay the finalists’ travel expenses in accordance with federal allowances. Finalists will be contacted on selection decisions within one to two weeks after the interviews.

The application process for the 2016-2017 fellowship year is now closed. Click here to view the application from the 2016-2017 fellowship year. A call for applications for the 2017-2018 fellowship year will be released in August 2016.

Applications must include the following:

1. a candidate information form
2. a résumé highlighting academic, professional, and personal achievements
3. an original research proposal on a legal topic of scholarly interest;
4. two candidate recommendations mailed directly to this address:

Supreme Court Fellows Program
Room 5
Supreme Court of the United States
1 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20543