Draft:The Supreme Court Fellows Program


The Supreme Court Fellows Program is a post law school fellowship focused on federal court administration. The Supreme Court Fellows Program was founded in 1973 by then-Chief Justice Warren Burger.[1] Fellows are selected by a Commission appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.[2] According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, "Fellows are drawn from diverse professions and academic backgrounds and work on assignments and projects that reflect the needs of the Judiciary and the interests and capabilities of the Fellows. Candidates must have at least one post-graduate degree, two or more years of professional experience with a record of high performance, and multi-disciplinary training and experience, including familiarity with the judicial process."[3] The Supreme Court Fellows Program is highly competitive [4]

The Supreme Court Fellows Commission selects four fellows through a process that includes review of submitted materials and interviews of finalists.[5]. Applicants submit a research proposal, resume, and letters of recommendation (with at least one letter usually being from a federal judge)[6]. After the highly competitive review of their applications, eight finalists are are invited to Washington, D.C. for a two day interview process.[7] The first day, finalists meet with representatives from each of the four host organizations to learn more about the fellowship opportunities at each placement. Later that same day, the eight finalists attend a panel discussion hosted by the Fellows Alumni Association, followed by the annual dinner hosted by the Supreme Court Fellows Commission at the Supreme Court.[8] The second day of interviews is in front of the Commission. Following the interviews, the Commission decides which position to offer to which candidate.[9]

The four Fellows then spend one year working in one of four offices: Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Federal Judicial Center, or the United States Sentencing Commission. The fellows research judicial administration, policy development, education, and scholarship.[10]

References

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  1. Gould JB, Bell LC, Lau TJ, Domurad JM. Courting Success: The Supreme Court Fellows Program at 35. PS: Political Science & Politics. 2008;41(4):839-843. doi:10.1017/S1049096508081092
  2. https://www.supremecourt.gov/fellows/commission.aspx
  3. https://www.uscourts.gov/data-news/judiciary-news/2012/11/13/apply-supreme-court-fellows-program
  4. https://www.supremecourt.gov/fellows/selection.aspx
  5. https://www.supremecourt.gov/fellows/apply.aspx
  6. https://www.supremecourt.gov/fellows/apply.aspx
  7. S. I. Strong, The U.S. Supreme Court Fellows Program; The Opportunity of a Lifetime, 53 Judges' Journal 27 (2014). Available at: https://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/facpubs/850
  8. Id.
  9. Id.
  10. https://www.supremecourt.gov/fellows/AboutFellowships.aspx