Important update on our Mentorship Program

Since its founding in 2019, The Appellate Project has connected more than 600 law students from over 100 law schools with nearly 1,000 mentors and other volunteers, building a nationwide network dedicated to diversifying the appellate field. Through mentorship, career resources, and community building, we have helped future appellate leaders gain the access, skills, and connections needed to thrive.

As TAP continues to grow, we remain committed to our long-term vision: an appellate system where the lawyers, judges, and rulings reflect the rich diversity of our communities. To make that vision a reality, we are expanding our work to support students and alumni at every stage of their careers—from law school through clerkships and appellate practice through judicial (or other) appointments.

What’s Next for the TAP Mentorship Program?

After four years of rapid growth, we paused on admitting new students to our award-winning Mentorship Program so that we could take time to reflect on what’s working and how we can strengthen this program for the future. Following a robust research process, including feedback from students, alumni, and legal professionals, we will be relaunching our Mentorship Program in 2026 with updates that provide even greater opportunities for connection, guidance, and career support.

Key updates include:

  • Regional mentorship circles that connect students with legal professionals and peer networks, offering both targeted guidance and opportunities to build lasting relationships;

  • Exclusive networking and career-building events, including judicial brown bags, professional panels, and community meetups; and

  • Access to TAP’s new online community platform, which will feature job postings, career resources, and tools to connect with appellate professionals nationwide.

Sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know when Mentorship Program applications reopen.

How Can I Stay Involved?

For Volunteers

How can I stay engaged with TAP?

  • Although we are temporarily pausing on pairing volunteers with new mentees, we are still providing resources and programming to our 600+ alumni. Our alums, which include law students, clerks, and early career attorneys, will still need support and guidance from our volunteers as they grow in their career. We continue to reach out to current volunteers with ways you can get involved with them, and we will also be in touch as our full programming with new students resumes.
  • We are also looking for volunteers who want to host an event for the TAP community. Examples of recent events include a group dinner, inviting students to shadow your moot/oral argument, and a BBQ. All ideas are welcome! This is a great way to connect with the broader TAP community, including fellow volunteers and alums. Fill out the form here if you’d like to host an event.

I'm new to TAP, can I still sign up as a volunteer?

  • Yes! Please sign up here. We will be in touch as our full programming resumes with opportunities to get involved.

How can I further TAP’s mission during this time?

  • Our mission is more important now than ever. Help further this work by:
    • Staying in touch! Support your previous TAP mentee(s) by checking in with them and finding out what their current goals are. Even if you haven't connected in a while, a quick note can go a long way.
    • Offer mentorship. Chat with law students or junior colleagues in your network who may be interested in learning about the appellate field. A little outreach and encouragement can make a big difference!
    • Spread the word! Speak to friends, families, and colleagues about the importance of diversity in the appellate field and the work TAP is doing to help ensure our highest courts reflect our communities.

How can I stay connected to my previous mentee(s)?

  • Stay up to date. Sending a quick message to your previous mentee(s) to check how they’re doing and to see if they need support can go a long way.
  • Schedule a recurring meeting, virtual or in-person, with a mentee with whom you were previously paired.
  • Host a gathering with your mentee for the TAP community. This could be a great way to meet other volunteers and their mentees in the TAP network, as well as introduce others you know to TAP’s work.

For Law Students

What resources are available to me?

  • Head to the Resources for Law Students section below for more information on mentorship and clerkship resources that are available for students interested in the appellate field, including TAP's very own Clerkship Handbook.

How can I stay up to date?

What are some tips for finding a mentor?

  • Head to the Resources for Law Students section below for more information on mentorship resources. Additionally, view some tips on finding a mentor and relationship building here.

How can I connect with TAP members?

  • Join our TAP LinkedIn group to connect with TAP alumni and volunteers. Many of the people in this group are happy to connect with students interested in appellate law, so we encourage you to reach out to them.

When will the Mentorship Program restart?

  • We are excited to restart the Mentorship Program in 2026. Please sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know when we begin readmitting new students.

For Alumni

Which TAP resources will be available to me during this time?

  • TAP continues to host much of our popular programming for our alumni, including courthouse visits, in-person community meetups, and judicial brown bag discussions. We also encourage alumni to stay in touch with their mentors and other community members that they’ve met through TAP.

Can I still be in touch with my previous mentors?

  • Yes! Your mentors are a great resource of support, and are often more than happy to offer guidance as you advance in your career. Many mentors appreciate it when their mentees send them an update or check in.

General Questions

What are TAP’s goals for this period?

  • Deepen and expand the programmatic resources we offer incoming law students interested in appellate work, and strengthen our alumni support to help them through each stage of their appellate careers—including positioning them for the bench;
  • Create a space for thought leadership in the appellate field;
  • Ensure that we have a strong internal foundation, including funding and staffing, to set us up for long-term success.

Resources for Law Students

There are a number of resources outside of TAP to help law students interested in mentorship and clerkships. We have shared a few of them below.

Mentorship Resources

American Bar Association (ABA) State Mentoring Programs

  • The ABA offers a resource on their website that includes links to various mentoring programs throughout the country. Visit here for more information.

Federal Bar Association (FBA) Lift Up Leaders Mentorship Program

  • Focusing on creating pathways to leadership in the professional community as well as in the association, the Lift Up Leaders Mentorship Program connects FBA members from all stages of the practice of law. Visit here for more information.

State Bar Associations

  • Many state bar associations offer mentorship programs for current law students. Some also have specific appellate practice sections. Visit the website of your local bar association to learn more about their networking and mentorship opportunities.

Law School Alumni Networks

  • Utilize your law school's alumni network to connect with alumni, including those that are in the appellate field. Alumni can often provide valuable mentorship and advice.

Law School Career Services Office

  • Utilize your law school's career services office for guidance on finding mentorship and employement opportunities, including clerkships.

Law School Affinity Groups

  • Engage with affinity groups at your law school. Joining these groups can help you build a community of people with similar interests, who can provide support during law school and beyond.

Affinity Bar Associations

  • There are many national and local affinity bar associations available for law students to join, and many offer resources and mentorship opportunities. Visit here for more information on national affinity bar associations and visit your local bar association's website for information on affinity groups.

Additional programs and resources

Clerkship Resources

TAP's Clerkship Handbook

  • Download The Appellate Project’s very own Clerkship Handbook here. Our handbook is a comprehensive clerkship resource that provides law students the information and encouragement they need to pursue appellate opportunities, including clerkships.

Federal Court Clerkships

  • OSCAR (Online System for Clerkship Application and Review) is the primary source for information on federal court clerkship openings. Please note that not every judge posts on OSCAR. Visit here for more information, including details on the Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan.
  • Some federal courts also post clerkship openings on their individual websites. If you are interested in a specific court, visit here to find the court's website and check whether it has any clerkship openings.

State Court Clerkships

  • The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) is the primary source for information on state court clerkships. Please note that not all openings may be posted on NCSC, but we recommend starting your search here. Visit here for more information.
  • Some state courts also post clerkship openings on their individual website. If you're interested in a specific court, visit their website for clerkship opportunities and application details.

Law School Career Services Office

  • Utilize your law school's career services office for information on clerkship opportunities and guidance on applying for clerkships, including advice on application materials and interview preparation.

Professional Organizations

  • Joining organizations like the American Bar Association (ABA), local bar associations, and organizations at your law school can often provide you access to clerkship resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Additional programs and resources

About our Award-Winning Mentorship Program

As the first national effort focused on diversifying the appellate field, the TAP Mentorship Program empowers law students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue appellate work. We pair law students interested in appellate practice with two mentors in the appellate field, ranging from attorneys, judges, professors, and law clerks. We tailor these pairings as closely as we can to each student’s unique preferences.

We also provide students with innovative and impactful appellate-focused resources throughout the Program, including clerkship support, skill-building opportunities, networking, and community building.