American Bar Association – Judicial Clerkship Program
Michigan State University College of Law Participation Opportunity

The American Bar Association (ABA) is committed to diversifying the legal profession. To actualize its diversity mission, the ABA dedicates multifaceted-resources and hosts annual educational programs. Particularly noteworthy is the ABA Judicial Clerkship Program. 

Since 2001, the ABA-Judicial Clerkship Program (ABA JCP) is held in conjunction with the ABA’s Annual Midyear Meeting. Specifically, the ABA desires to partner with ABA-accredited law schools and legal practitioners in a change-agent program to directly impact the pipeline of diverse individuals in judicial clerkship positions. Annually, ABA JCP participants are members of diverse underrepresented populations in the judicial clerkship community and legal profession. (See attached ABA JCP Brochure) Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law) is also committed to diversifying the legal profession and is a participating member in the ABA JCP program. MSU Law has committed to at least three years of participation. 

Recently, Harold Henderson, an MSU alumnus and friend of the MSU College of Law, donated a generous gift to support MSU Law students who wish to participate in the ABA JCP. Attorney Harold Henderson established the Harold & Franzine Henderson Judicial Clerkship Mentoring Program which is intended to support MSU Law’s efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and to enable MSU to fully support students who wish to participate in the ABA JCP. 

 The Harold & Franzine Henderson Judicial Clerkship Mentoring Program supports up to six (6) participants from MSU Law each year. The 2024 ABA JCP, in conjunction with the ABA Midyear Meeting, is February 1 – 3 in Louisville, KY. Thanks to the Harold & Franzine Henderson Judicial Clerkship Mentoring Program, selected MSU Law ABA JCP participants will receive complimentary registration.

Selection Criteria

  1. MSU Law Current Juris Doctor (JD) Student in Second-Year (2L) Status
  2. Good Academic Standing, per MSU Law’s JD Program Academic Policies
  3. Self-Identify as a member of a diverse community/culture

How to Apply

  1. Prepare a One-Page (8x11), double-spaced participation statement that articulates why you are interested in participating in this program.
  2. Electronically submit the participation statement to the Career Services Office, Kristina Bilowus, bilowusk@msu.edu, November 15 by 5:00 pm EST.
  3. For questions, contact the Career Services Office, bilowusk@msu.edu before the deadline submission date and time.

MSU Law Nondiscrimination Policy: Law College programs, activities and facilities shall be available to all without regard to race, color, genetic information, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, political persuasion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or familial status.

Alumni & Donors