Thurgood Marshall Clerkship Program, Summer 2027

Description

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State's legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland's 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.   

The Thurgood Marshall Clerkship Program is a collaborative initiative between the OAG and local law firms. Its mission is to attract talented law students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession, fostering diversity and leadership within public service.​
 
We name our program after Thurgood Marshall, a native son of Maryland, who served as the first African-American member of the U.S. Supreme Court (1957-1991). Earlier in his career, Marshall served as a lawyer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and helped win the 1954 landmark desegregation case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Throughout his life, Marshall used the law to promote civil rights and social justice.
 
​Each year, the Thurgood Marshall Clerkship Program offers first and second-year law students a 10-week summer clerkship primarily at the OAG's downtown Baltimore office. This immersive experience provides clerks with:

• Exposure to the practice of law in the public sector.​

• ​Insights into the rewards and challenges of public service.​

• Opportunities to work closely with experienced attorneys on a variety of legal matters

Application Process

Applications must be submitted by 6:00 pm on January 10, 2027. Prospective applicants are required to submit:​

• A completed application form including a current resume
• Law school transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable; transcripts may be emailed to

  thurgoodmarshall@oag.maryland.gov

  once available)
• Response to essay prompt 
• List of three references

Essay Prompt
 
Please provide a 1-2 page response to the prompt below. Your response should be uploaded under the Additional Files - Add Portfolio option of the application. The document should be double-spaced and in size twelve font. Please also include your name and law school as a header in your response.
 
The Thurgood Marshall Clerkship Program was created to honor the legacy of former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. A product of segregated West Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall attended Frederick Douglass High School and later went on to graduate from Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law. Throughout the course of his legal career, Justice Marshall was a champion for civil rights and equal opportunities in education, housing, and employment. Prior to being named as the first African-American to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States, Justice Marshall argued and won landmark cases which resulted in the integration of the University of Maryland School of Law and public schools across the United States. His legacy is one of courage, tenacity, and excellence. In your background or life experiences, what allows you to relate to Thurgood Marshall and/or his legacy.

Additional consideration is given to candidates who:​

• Are first-generation law students
• Have been Pell Grant recipients
• Possess a unique personal history
• Have demonstrated service to others
• Have overcome significant obstacles
• Exhibit leadership experience
• Have notable extracurricular activities, honors, and awards
• Have unique educational or familial circumstances

Interview Process: Semifinalists will be invited for an interview before final selections are made. 

Compensation: Each selected student will receive a stipend of no less than $8,000 for the summer clerkship.

Important Dates:

• Offer letters will be sent out by April 16, 2027
• Summer 2027 start date: May 17, 227
• Summer 2027 end date: July 23, 2027

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply, regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.
 
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: The OAG views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as essential to achieving professional excellence and fostering a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent, embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.