⚖️ Columbia Law Clerkships After 2022: Why the Numbers Stayed Strong Despite Judicial Boycotts

Since 2022, Columbia Law School has been at the center of national attention — not only for campus political tensions, but also for the reaction from a small group of federal judges who publicly announced they would not hire clerks from Columbia University or Columbia Law School.

Many law school applicants wondered whether this would damage Columbia’s long‑standing reputation as a top clerkship feeder.

The data tells a different story: Columbia’s clerkship numbers remain among the strongest in the nation.

🧭 How Many Judges Stopped Hiring Columbia Clerks — And Why

Only a small minority of federal judges publicly stated they would not hire Columbia clerks. Based on public statements:

•    Judge James C. Ho (5th Cir.)
•    Judge Elizabeth Branch (11th Cir.)
•    A group of ~13 federal judges, mostly in the Fifth Circuit, who signed a letter pledging not to hire clerks from Columbia University or Columbia Law School

In total, this represents roughly 15 federal judges out of more than 870 authorized federal judgeships nationwide.

Why did they announce boycotts?

Their stated reasons included:

•    Concerns about campus free‑speech climate
•    Objections to how protests were handled
•    Claims of insufficient protection for viewpoint diversity

These were individual decisions, not judiciary‑wide policies, and no Supreme Court Justice has made such a statement.

📈 Clerkship Trends for Columbia Law Grads Since 2022

Despite the headlines, Columbia’s clerkship output has remained exceptionally strong. Verified data from Columbia Law School shows:

2022–2025 Clerkship Totals

•    2022: 127 clerkships
•    2023: 130 clerkships
•    2024: 123 clerkships
•    2025: 121 clerkships

Across these years, Columbia placed:

•    Over 170 federal appellate clerks
•    Nearly 280 federal district clerks
•    Multiple state supreme and appellate clerks
•    Two Supreme Court clerks

These numbers demonstrate that there has been no noticeable change in Columbia’s clerkship output.

📘 Why Columbia Still Places So Many Clerks

1. Deep Faculty and Alumni Networks

Columbia professors and alumni maintain strong relationships with federal judges, which helps students secure interviews and recommendations.

2. A Large Pool of Highly Qualified Students

Columbia’s academic profile and class size mean many students are competitive for clerkships.

3. A Dedicated Judicial Clerkships Office

The school invests heavily in clerkship advising, judge‑specific strategy, and application preparation.

4. Strong Feeder Patterns to Key Circuits

Columbia consistently places clerks in:

•    The Second Circuit
•    The D.C. Circuit
•    The Ninth Circuit
•    Numerous district courts in New York, D.C., and California

These circuits were not part of the boycott movement.

🔍 What This Means for Law School Applicants

If you’re evaluating Columbia Law School and worried about clerkship prospects, the data is reassuring:

•    The boycott involved fewer than 2% of federal judges.
•    Columbia’s clerkship numbers remain top‑tier.
•    The school continues to be a major national feeder into federal courts.

For applicants targeting clerkships, Columbia remains a high‑leverage choice.

🎓 Need Help Positioning Yourself for Clerkships and Top Law Schools?

AdmissionsConsultants has helped applicants for over 30 years. We can assist you with:

•    Building a law school list aligned with clerkship goals
•    Strengthening your application narrative
•    Crafting compelling personal statements
•    Positioning yourself for competitive post‑JD opportunities

👉 Call us at 1.800.809.0800 or click the “Book a Meeting” link below!