Preparing Your Writing Sample For Alumni
Preparing Your Writing Sample For Alumni
P. (213)
736-1150
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385-5133
A writing sample should reflect your best writing. It should also be persuasive and analytical. Follow these
guidelines as you prepare your writing sample for your job applications:
CHOOSE THE WRITING SAMPLE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THE POSITION if you have more than one
sample (e.g., published article, motion, appellate brief, seminar paper, memorandum). You may also take an
excerpt from the discussion section of a longer paper.
REDACT ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION in the document if submitting a memorandum or motion written
for a prior or current employer. If applying for a judicial clerkship, consider changing the names of specific parties
instead of redacting the information; former federal law clerks have found the changing of names preferable over
redacting when reading writing samples.*
SUBMIT A “CLEAN COPY” that is free markings when using an academic paper, memorandum, or motion.
FOLLOW THE EMPLOYER’S PREFERRED LENGTH. If unspecified, anywhere from 5-20 pages is acceptable
(you may submit a longer piece if you are applying for a post-graduate judicial clerkship). If you think your sample
is too long, consider omitting one or more sections. Be sure to keep the most critical part of the memo. If you omit
a section, leave in the heading so that the structure and logic of the memo is not lost. After the heading, insert a
statement along the following lines:
A. Subheading.
[This section has been omitted due to length but will be provided upon request.]
If the portion omitted is necessary for an understanding of the discussion included (e.g., the Statement of Facts),
you can explain any necessary background details on the cover page, but keep it very short.
INCLUDE A COVER SHEET WITH YOUR WRITING SAMPLE (see sample on the following page).
When submitting your writing sample electronically, include the cover page as part of the writing sample file (i.e.,
first page of your PDF). The cover page should explain the following:
for whom or what you wrote the document (i.e., memorandum for partner in insurance defense firm, Motion to
Compel for Assistant District Attorney, etc.);
what the writing sample is about or what issues it addresses (e.g., remedies under the National Labor Relations
Act, piercing the corporate veil, Motion to Suppress Evidence, etc.).
For questions about the judicial clerkship application process, consult Professors Aimee Dudovitz and Jessica Levinson.
For
Description:
The attached writing sample is an excerpt from a a Supreme Court case. A woman represented
her claim for being sole parent of her child. In the Memorandum, the plaintiff should prevail on
her motion because