Update May 28, 2020: OSCAR Working Group Chair Judge Robert Bacharach discusses the importance of using OSCAR and remote interview methods during the COVID-19 pandemic in a video from the United States Courts. An article containing the video and additional details is also available. 

Update April 17, 2020: The OSCAR Working Group and the Ad Hoc Committee on Law Clerk Hiring have affirmed their support for maintaining the application release date of June 15, 2020 for law clerk hiring this season. The Ad Hoc Committee has released a statement that was shared with federal judges and the National Association of Law Placement (NALP). 

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) received feedback from a number of law schools on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on law clerk applications. We are aware of the impact of law school closures on the submission of applications and faculty recommendation letters in paper format. In addition, we understand that the ability to conduct law clerk interviews in-person are at risk due to travel restrictions and courthouse closures.

Based on this feedback, the AO and OSCAR Working Group are collaborating to communicate these hardships to all federal judges and its impact on law clerk recruitment. The communications focus on encouraging judges to use OSCAR to accept online applications only and to promote the use of video conferencing and conference calls for law clerk interviews. In addition, the OSCAR Program Office will contact the individual judges who have posted a position in OSCAR to accept paper applications and offer assistance in updating their application and interview methods.

We will continue to monitor the impact of the pandemic on law clerk recruitment and keep you informed of any changes in law clerk hiring on behalf of the judiciary.

If you have any feedback or concerns, please contact the OSCAR Program Office at oscar-support@ao.uscourts.gov or 866-666-2120 (toll-free), 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday - Friday.