Michelle Cherande '97 leads Law School's new Judicial Clerkship Office

February 11, 2009

In order to reinforce its institutional commitment to supporting students and alumni in the judicial clerkship process, The Law School announced the creation of the Judicial Clerkship Office (JCO). Michelle Cherande ’97 will serve as the JCO’s director.

“Michelle knows the clerkship experience firsthand, having clerked for Judge John M. Walker, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit,” said Dean Richard Revesz. “She also brings a wealth of organizational, mentoring, and leadership experience to the position.”

Cherande previously worked as a litigation associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where she managed the largest consolidated securities litigation in history, mentored associates, and coached high school mock trial teams. She also had an active pro bono practice, including representing a death row inmate in Missouri.

“I hope to inform NYU students about the benefits of clerking so that more students will take advantage of this great opportunity,” Cherande said. “I really enjoyed my clerkship and thought it was a wonderful opportunity to form a personal and professional relationship with a judge and obtain valuable insight into the legal process.”

The JCO will also continue to benefit from the organizational and technological assistance of Jim Nesbitt, who has managed the annual clerkship application process for 18 years. Assistant Dean for Public Interest Law Deb Ellis, an active member of the Clerkships and Government Jobs Committee, led by Professor Catherine Sharkey, will supervise the JCO.

“I would like to thank Irene Dorzback, assistant dean for the office of career services, and Jamie Gordon, associate director, for their dedicated work in assisting alumni and students to obtain an impressive 137 clerkships during the 2007-08 academic year,” Revesz said. “We hope to build upon this momentum by dedicating full-time counseling and administrative resources to the clerkship process.”

Cherande said her greatest challenge will be to expand the already successful program. “I plan to encourage applicants to apply for clerkships in diverse geographic areas and with state and federal judges who previously have not hired clerks from NYU,” she said.

Cherande may be reached at 212.998.6095 or michelle.cherande@nyu.edu.