Judicial Intern – John P. Howard III (Spring 2027)

Clerkships & Internships

Clerkships

Judge Howard has completed hiring for clerkships through the 2027–2028 term. Judge Howard accepts applications in line with the federal hiring plan and expects to review applicants for future terms beginning June 14, 2027.

As a law clerk, your tasks will include conducting legal research and reviewing factual records in appeals before the court; evaluating appeals; cite- and record-checking proposed decisions; drafting proposed decisions; and assisting with intern management and case/chambers management.

Judge Howard is interested in candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including candidates with employment experience before or after law school.

Candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter: In your cover letter, please address your desired term and any valuable skills, perspectives, or experiences you may bring to your work as a clerk.
• Resume
• Law school transcript: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If you do not have grades available when you apply, please note so in your cover letter and, when grades become available, send an updated transcript to the email address below.
• Writing sample: Please provide one writing sample with a cover sheet explaining the extent to which you received feedback or edits from anyone.
• Letters of recommendation: Please provide three letters of recommendation. When applying, please provide a page separate from your cover letter with the name, email address, phone number, title, and your relationship to the recommender (e.g., “former supervisor,” “administrative law professor”). Letters may be included with your application or sent separately.

Applications should be submitted via Court Opportunity Recruitment for All (CORA) or emailed to HowardJAA[at]dcappeals.gov with a subject line indicating the term you are interested in and your name, i.e.: “2028-2029 Clerkship Application [First and Last Name].”

Applications may also be mailed to the attention of Ms. Sandra Strawder, Judge Howard’s Judicial Administrative Assistant:

Attn: Ms. Sandra StrawderDistrict of Columbia Court of AppealsChambers of Judge Howard430 E Street NWWashington, D.C. 20001

Note that the District of Columbia Courts establishes judicial law clerk compensation. Law clerks with no prior legal experience will receive pay at a grade 11, step 1. Law clerks with prior legal experience are not eligible to start at a higher grade but may be eligible to receive pay at a grade 11, with additional steps.

Internships

Judge Howard is now accepting internship applications for Spring 2027 from law students who have completed at least one year of law school. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Interns will work primarily under the supervision of Judge Howard’s law clerks. As an intern, your tasks may include: conducting legal research and reviews of factual records in appeals before the court; evaluating appeals; cite- and record-checking proposed decisions; and assisting in preparation for oral arguments. Subject to timing, you may have the opportunity to draft a portion of a proposed decision.

Internships are unpaid, but chambers staff will coordinate with students who have funding through fellowship programs, public interest scholarship programs, or other outside sources to meet any program requirements. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited J.D. or L.L.M. program. Interns who can work at least fifteen (15) hours per week are preferred.

Judge Howard is interested in candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including candidates with employment experience before law school.

Candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter: In your cover letter, please address (1) any valuable skills, perspectives, or experiences you may bring to your work as an intern, (2) if you are pursuing the internship for academic credit and any requirements for you to receive credit, and (3) any start or end dates or date ranges you are available.
• Resume
• Law school transcript: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If you do not have grades available when you apply, please note so in your cover letter and, when grades become available, send an updated transcript to the email address below.
• Writing sample: Please provide one writing sample with a cover sheet explaining the extent to which you received feedback or edits from anyone.
• References: Please provide two references. For each reference, please include a name, email address, phone number, title, and your relationship to the reference (e.g., “former supervisor,” “administrative law professor”).

Applications should be submitted via Court Opportunity Recruitment for All (CORA) or emailed to HowardJAA [at] dcappeals.gov with the subject line “Spring 2027 Internship Application [First and Last Name].”

Applications may also be mailed to the attention of Ms. Sandra Strawder, Judge Howard’s Judicial Administrative Assistant:

Attn: Ms. Sandra StrawderDistrict of Columbia Court of AppealsChambers of Judge Howard430 E Street NWWashington, D.C. 20001