About Judicial Clerkships

The Law School's strong commitment to its clerkship program has resulted in an exceptional record for placing students in judicial clerkships. Our graduates have served as judicial clerks in every circuit in the country, as well as in foreign courts, courts of international jurisdiction and courts of special jurisdiction. Virginia consistently ranks among the leaders in clerk placement for law schools nationwide.

Ruth Payne

Ruth Payne

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS

Ruth Payne advises students and alumni as they navigate the application process for both judicial internships and judicial clerkships. This includes counseling, reviewing cover letters and resumes, conducting mock interviews and running workshops on the clerkship process. Bio and Contact


Kim Gilmer

Kimball Gilmer

DIRECTOR OF JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS

Kim Gilmer helps prepare students to apply for judicial internships and clerkships. Through the counseling process, she reviews application documents, conducts mock interviews and runs training sessions. Bio and Contact


Michel van Eersel

Michel van Eersel

CLERKSHIP COORDINATOR

Michel van Eersel assists the senior director of judicial clerkships by maintaining the CLERQS database of judges with current hiring information through updates from OSCAR and communication with judges’ chambers. He also coordinates with faculty and their assistants as needed to mail out letters of recommendation on behalf of students and alumni and, when required, assists with bundling of judicial clerkship applications. Contact


Tapley Borucke

Tapley Borucke

CAREER DEVELOPMENT FELLOW

As the inaugural Career Development Fellow, Tapley Borucke works closely with the Office of Private Practice, Public Service Center and Office of Judicial Clerkships on a range of student- and employer-related projects. Contact