From The Classroom To The Courtroom

It would be tempting for IJ staff to focus solely on the pressing needs of active cases, strategic research projects, and legislative and activism priorities. But we understand that our goals are ambitious and long term, often accomplished on timelines that span decades. That steadfast approach requires constant cultivation of the next generation of IJers—as well as allies for liberty on the bench, in academia, and at times even in government. 

That’s why, every year, IJ runs a variety of in-depth student programs to identify and develop new waves of freedom-minded lawyers and advocates. Students can join IJ for either a full-time summer program or a (smaller) part-time program during the academic year. This summer, IJ hosted 41 clerks, interns, and other students—including law students exploring public-interest litigation and college students interested in entering the liberty movement. 

The crown jewel among our programs is the Dave Kennedy Fellowship for law students, named in honor of IJ’s former board chair and beloved champion for liberty. Through the fellowship, law students learn the ins and outs of IJ’s approach to public interest law, both through formal training programs and by working side by side with IJ attorneys on our current cutting-edge initiatives.

In addition to IJ’s clerkships and internships, IJ hosts several student-focused conferences each year to cast a wider net. The annual Law Student Conference at the beginning of each summer dates back to IJ’s earliest days. It brings dozens of the most promising students from law schools across the country to our headquarters for a weekendlong crash course to learn directly from IJ attorneys and staff across our practice areas about how IJ litigates and the legal theories underlying each of our Four Pillars. Students, in turn, bring what they learn back to their schools to share with other students who may not otherwise hear IJ’s perspective on the Constitution. We also host Legal Intensives each semester, bringing our programming to law school campuses across the country to teach students about a specific issue or area in greater depth. 

Often, the payoff to these programs is obvious and direct. About half of IJ’s current attorneys first came to us as a clerk or participant in one of our conferences—sometimes immediately after law school and sometimes later in their careers. In 2004, an especially auspicious summer clerk class included Senior Attorney Dan Alban, CFO and General Counsel Daniel Knepper, and Deputy Litigation Director Bob McNamara. 

Though not every participant joins IJ’s staff, the ripple effects resonate throughout the country. Some former IJ clerks are now prominent law professors, such as Will Baude at the University of Chicago. These academics create scholarship we can cite in our litigation or author amicus briefs supporting our clients. Others are leaders in major traditional law firms, providing pro bono support to IJ litigation or referring cases to us.

By instilling in students a passion for IJ-style litigation at the very beginning of their careers, IJ forges connections that last a lifetime and fosters the next generation of litigators for liberty.

Ben Field is an IJ attorney.