We’ve gathered a few tried-and-true tips to help you make the most of your summer work experience.

While the ADA was a monumental achievement, its legacy depends on ongoing interpretation, rigorous enforcement, and a broader commitment to equity.

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.

How mentorship, perseverance, and purpose shaped one TAP alum’s path to the federal bench.

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.

Listen to TAP Alum Ramon Ryan on the American Bar Association Litigation Section podcast.

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s room for someone who looks like you, know this: you belong here.

TAP shares the journeys of five of our mentors whose stories reflect resilience, representation, and the power of mentorship.

“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.”

We believe the future of appellate law can and should reflect the full experiences and perspectives of our nation.

State court clerkships aren't a backup plan—they're a launchpad.

“Trust in the judicial system is strengthened when the public sees that lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals look like them.”

TAP alum Anjika Pai shares how early exposure to appellate law shaped her path.

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

“Once someone has a judicial clerkship, it really opens the door to different types of careers in the appellate field.”

“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.”

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.

TAP’s award-winning Mentorship Program returns in 2026 with stronger connections, exclusive events, and a new online platform to support the next generation of diverse appellate leaders.

“I think that in absolute terms, there are a lot of accomplished and wonderful women in the Appellate Bar.”

“I had no idea how hard it is to break into appellate practice with no support system and no guidance.”