Apply

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis from December through mid-March. If you are a first-year law student, please wait to apply until you have received your first semester grades. The earlier you submit your application, the easier it is to find a placement.

For students who receive a summer placement, regular summer school tuition rates apply. No additional fees are charged despite the unique nature of the program. With the permission of Chambers, students may serve as a paid research assistant during the program or split the summer with another paid or unpaid opportunity.

How to Apply

Send a single email containing all of your application materials as attachments in Microsoft Word format to dcsje@wfu.edu.

Applications should include the following materials:

1. Cover letter addressed to "Dear Judge" (it should explain why you would make a strong judicial extern)
2. Separate cover letter addressed to “Dear Special Master” and tailored to the Office of Special Masters if you are interested in externing there
3. Current resume
4. Law school transcript (unofficial is fine)
5. Undergraduate transcript if you believe it would be helpful in finding a placement
6. Legal writing sample (not to exceed 6-8 double-spaced pages)
7. At least two recommendation letters on official letterhead.
   At least one recommendation should come from a Wake Forest faculty member who knows you well and can attest to your research, writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Your additional recommendation may come from professors, former employers, etc. If preferred, your recommender may also email their recommendation directly to dcsje@wfu.edu instead of providing it to you to send.

Students may also be required to participate in a short interview prior to selection.

Although preliminary selections will be made at Wake Forest, participating judges and special masters will make the final selection and may require additional materials or interviews. For this reason, acceptance at the school level does not guarantee a summer placement. Placement supervisors make the final selections. If you have questions about the application process, please email them to dcsje@wfu.edu.