Your Law School Roadmap: What To Do During 1L, 2L, and 3L to Prepare for Appellate Practice
We've created this roadmap: a year-by-year guide to help you make strategic choices that align with your appellate aspirations.
Rewarding Moment for Recent UC Berkeley Law Student Co-President
Former UC Berkeley Law student body co-president Kendrick Peterson becomes the first Black judicial clerk sworn into the Washington, D.C. Bar Association.
From Constitutional Law Class to Published Author: Zaakir Tameez's Unexpected Journey
How TAP Alum Zaakir Tameez unexpectedly ended up writing a book on Charles Sumner.
Breaking Barriers in Appellate Law: Kendrick Peterson’s Journey from TAP Mentee to Federal Clerk
Kendrick Peterson, a recent law school graduate and federal law clerk, was sworn into the Washington, D.C. bar in 2025, becoming the first Black clerk in his district to do so.
Make the Most of Your Summer: Tips for Appellate Interns, Clerks, and Summer Associates
We’ve gathered a few tried-and-true tips to help you make the most of your summer work experience.
Disability Pride Month and the ADA
While the ADA was a monumental achievement, its legacy depends on ongoing interpretation, rigorous enforcement, and a broader commitment to equity.
The Quiet Power of Dissent
TAP Board member Paul Watford, former judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, explores how dissenting opinions often carry weight that extends far beyond their immediate legal impact.
What Is an Inn of Court—And Why It Matters for Aspiring Appellate Leaders
TAP alumni had the rare opportunity to attend a private event hosted by the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court—the first and only American Inn of Court dedicated specifically to appellate practice.
The Appellate Clerkship Experience
Listen to TAP Alum Ramon Ryan on the American Bar Association Litigation Section podcast.
Pride Month: A Letter to Future Appellate Lawyers
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s room for someone who looks like you, know this: you belong here.
How I Got Here: Journeys in Appellate Law
TAP shares the journeys of five of our mentors whose stories reflect resilience, representation, and the power of mentorship.
Sarah Lahlou-Amine
“Our justice system must reflect the communities it serves. As lawyers, we are a vital part of that system. If you encounter spaces where you don’t feel like you belong, those spaces are probably due for a change.”
5 Statistics That Explain Why TAP Exists
We believe the future of appellate law can and should reflect the full experiences and perspectives of our nation.
State Court Clerkship Myths, Debunked
State court clerkships aren't a backup plan—they're a launchpad.
Rupa Singh
“Trust in the judicial system is strengthened when the public sees that lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals look like them.”
Making Her Case: Anjika Pai on Moot Court Wins, Mentorship & Finding Her Voice
TAP alum Anjika Pai shares how early exposure to appellate law shaped her path.
The American Bar Association Features TAP Alum Marquan Robertson
TAP alum Marquan Robertson shares his journey as a first-generation lawyer entering appellate practice and how TAP’s Mentorship Program helped him prepare for and succeed in a Fifth Circuit clerkship
Nadeen Abou-Hossa
“Once someone has a judicial clerkship, it really opens the door to different types of careers in the appellate field.”
Rasha Gerges Shields
“Don’t prioritize networking over studying, clerk, and be kind to everyone you interact with—the legal community is a small one, your reputation is everything, and relationships matter.”
The Appellate Project: On a Mission to Diversify the Highest Courts
Sarah Kellogg breaks down TAP’s mission and purpose, highlighting what TAP offers to students and the progress it has made in the appellate field.