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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Find all of our Appellate 101 Resources here: theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...

The Appellate Project graphic with a large blue circle containing the number 4. Text reads: “Managing case schedules to ensure cases are moving efficiently through the court system.” The graphic has a white background, navy and bright blue lettering, and a decorative collage along the bottom.

The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Thank you to TAP volunteer Brandi M. Lupo, Thomas C. Grey Fellow and Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School, for developing this resource.

The Appellate Project graphic with a large blue circle containing the number 3. Text reads: “Attending trials and hearings to better understand how cases unfold, how attorneys present their arguments, and how judges craft their decisions.” The graphic has a white background, navy and bright blue lettering, and a decorative collage along the bottom.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

That’s why at The Appellate Project, we’re working with legal experts to develop and share our Appellate 101 Resources to demystify appellate practice and help open the door for talented lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds to access these spaces.

The Appellate Project graphic with a large blue circle containing the number 2. Text reads: “Researching legal issues, including questions about evidence, court procedures, and applicable law to help the judge make informed decisions.” The graphic has a white background, navy and bright blue lettering, and a decorative collage along the bottom.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

But for many law students from underrepresented backgrounds, what district court clerkships actually involve — and what makes them so valuable — can feel unclear.

The Appellate Project graphic with a large blue circle containing the number 1. Text reads: “Drafting bench memos and orders, which are summaries of cases and legal issues for the judge, as well as rulings.” The graphic has a white background, navy and bright blue lettering, and a decorative collage along the bottom.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Unlike appellate court clerks, who review records from cases that have already been decided, district court clerks work with cases as they happen in real time.

The Appellate Project graphic titled “What does a typical day as a district court clerk look like?” Below, text reads: “Although responsibilities vary by the judge you are clerking for and the court’s docket, the following are some common tasks you can expect.” The white background features navy and bright blue lettering, with a decorative collage along the bottom featuring blue geometric patterns, a black-and-white close-up photograph of a person's face, and abstract oval shapes.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

TAP's mission extends beyond law school guidance to support emerging attorneys as they establish themselves in appellate practice. Because building a more representative legal profession requires supporting talented lawyers not just through school, but into leadership roles.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Learning to truly believe you belong—despite barriers your peers may not face—isn't just motivational; it's a survival tool that can determine success.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

For students from underrepresented backgrounds, this transition also means navigating challenges that traditional career advice rarely addresses: battling imposter syndrome, carrying the weight of being "one of a few," and developing the confidence to claim their well-earned place in the profession.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

These four priorities reflect the reality that launching an appellate career requires more than strong grades and good intentions. Success depends on understanding how appellate pathways actually work—from clerkship timelines to the unwritten rules of legal networking.

Blue graphic from The Appellate Project titled in large pink text, “Top Priorities for 3L:” A numbered list reads: “#1 Navigate Clerkships (Again, If Needed),” “#2 Execute a Proactive Job Search,” “#3 Leverage Your Full Network,” and “#4 Prepare for the Bar Exam.” The numbers are pink and the remaining text is white. At the bottom, a wooden gavel rests on an open law book.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Third year marks the transition from preparation to execution. After building foundational skills in 1L and making strategic choices in 2L, 3L is about converting that groundwork into actual opportunities in appellate practice.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In appellate practice, your writing is your advocacy. There's no cross-examination or witness testimony to fall back on. Courts decide based on the strength of your written arguments. The more intentional you can be about developing these skills early on, the stronger your foundation will be.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Many 1Ls treat legal writing as something to get through rather than master. But TAP alumna Jane Sul, TAP Alumna and Georgetown University Law School graduate, understands that the writing habits you develop now can shape your legal career.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Your first-year legal writing course might seem basic compared to your constitutional law or contracts classes, but it could be the most important class for your appellate career.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Your 2L choices are laying the groundwork for the diverse appellate bar our courts need. Make them count.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

TAP exists to demystify exactly these kinds of pathways. When talented students from all backgrounds can access clear guidance on building appellate careers, the entire field becomes more representative and stronger.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

These four priorities represent critical decision points that can determine whether talented students gain access to coveted legal opportunities. But knowing what to prioritize—and when—often depends on having insider knowledge about how appellate careers actually develop.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Your second year of law school is when appellate career planning gets strategic. While 1L focused on building foundational skills, 2L is about making intentional choices that open doors to clerkships and appellate practice.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

At TAP, we've witnessed how appellate careers can take off when the right person believes in your abilities and makes strategic introductions. And sometimes that person is sitting just down the hall in faculty offices.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Start by showing genuine interest in their work and experience. (And don’t hesitate to send a short thank-you note afterwards if you do get a meeting.)

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

These conversations can open doors you didn't even know existed—but the key is being intentional about building these relationships early and authentically. Don't wait until you need a favor.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

But as TAP mentor Lisa Eskow, Clinical Professor and Co-Director of the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, notes: there are faculty members who are often eager to share their insights with curious students.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Many professors set aside office hours every week, yet they often sit empty. Students may assume they'll be bothering busy academics or worry they don't have anything important enough to discuss.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Building relationships with faculty can transform your law school experience—but this is often an untapped resource.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Ready to start building your appellate career foundations? Read TAP’s law school roadmap to appellate practice: theappellateproject.org/your-law-sch...

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Because at TAP, we believe that voices from all backgrounds and communities should be represented in appellate courts, and that starts with having the right information at the right time.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

From focusing on grades to building faculty relationships, these strategic moves can set you up for the appellate opportunities you want.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

We created a short guide—with help from TAP alumni Jasmine Marchbanks-Owens and Jane Sul, and TAP mentor Lisa Eskow—to help law students of all backgrounds navigate each year of law school with intention, especially those charting this course without insider knowledge.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Most law schools don't hand you a step-by-step plan for specialized careers like appellate practice. And if you don't already have lawyers in your network, it’s not always apparent which classes to take, when to start thinking about clerkships, or how to build the right connections.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Breaking into appellate law can feel overwhelming when you don't have a roadmap to follow.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

For more information on the appellate system, including practical ways to explore the field early and begin building the skills and experience that can support a path into appellate work, we created our Appellate 101 resources with the help of our generous volunteers.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

In addition to pro bono cases, you can build your credibility as a lawyer early in your career. Focus on being reliable in the fundamentals: accuracy with the record, attention to deadlines, and clear writing. Even small assignments are opportunities to show that your work can be trusted.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

If you’re not in a formal appellate role, you can still build experience in practical ways.

Graphic from The Appellate Project titled “How to Gain Appellate Experience When You’re Not in an Appellate Role.” Text explains that lawyers can build appellate experience by taking on pro bono appeals through their workplace, bar associations, or legal aid organizations. It notes that these opportunities can build confidence and credibility in appellate-style work while providing meaningful support to clients in need.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

That’s exactly why, with the help of our generous volunteers, we created our Appellate 101 resources, designed to make appellate practice more accessible by offering practical ways to explore the field early and begin building the skills and experience that can support a path into appellate work.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This misconception can be discouraging for those that do not fit the preconceived mold. In fact, many talented law students and lawyers talk themselves out of exploring appellate opportunities before they have even tried, often because they do not know where or even if they can start.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

For first-generation law students and early-career lawyers, the main barrier is often not talent, but access to information and opportunities early enough to build experience and credibility.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Appellate practice is a specialized area that can sometimes feel unreachable. It is writing-centered, rules-heavy, and often shaped by exposure to appellate work.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Our community of volunteers created our publicly available Appellate 101 Resources. They're designed to give law students and emerging lawyers the foundational knowledge they need to begin their appellate journeys: how the process works, what the work requires, and what paths exist to get there.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Too many talented lawyers don't pursue appellate careers simply because they don't know the field is open to them — or how to get started.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Learn more and get access to these resources here: theappellateproject.org/appellate-sy...

theappellateproject.org

Appellate 101 Resources — The Appellate Project

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If you’re a student or early career lawyer thinking about appellate law, our Appellate 101 resources are designed to be a helpful starting point. They cover the foundations of appellate practice, core appellate skills, pathways to appellate careers, and more.

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The Appellate Project @theappellateproj.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Decisions that affect entire communities are happening in appellate court rooms. When the lawyers and judges in these spaces reflect those communities, the system is better positioned to deliver equal justice and strengthen public trust in the courts.

Why Pursue an Appellate Career: An appellate career offers the next generation of lawyers a powerful opportunity to shape the law in ways that affect entire communities.

Greater representation among appellate advocates and decision makers is essential: when the people shaping legal precedent reflect the diversity of the communities most impacted by these decisions, the system is better positioned to deliver equal justice and strengthen public trust in the courts.

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