NEW YORK, OCTOBER 28, 2025: International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced today its pioneering sponsorship of Columbia Law School’s Judicial Clerkship Training Institute, a program noteworthy among law schools for its comprehensive and innovative approach to clerkship preparation.  

“We are delighted to partner with Columbia Law School to launch this innovative program aimed at training students and alumni for the distinctive experience of judicial clerkships,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “By supporting Columbia’s Judicial Clerkship Training Institute, we are helping to give students a front-row seat to chambers work and preparing them for the real-world challenges they will face in court.”

“When seeking a partner for Columbia Law School’s Judicial Clerkship Training Institute, we knew we wanted a firm with which we had a longstanding and strong relationship. We also wanted to make sure that our partner shared our enthusiasm and ambition for this program,” said Daniel Abebe, Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law at Columbia Law School. “For both of these reasons, Weil was our first choice. And I am very grateful for their generous support.”

An inaugural, one-day program, held on August 23, 2025, convened more than 60 Columbia Law students and alumni preparing for clerkships across the country, marking a formative start for the initiative.

Workshops focused on judicial writing, chambers culture and judicial ethics, giving participants hands-on preparation for the work ahead. Judges, alumni clerks, faculty and practitioners contributed to panels that provided insights on the clerkship experience; while the cohort engaged in discussions on post-clerkship opportunities in private practice, government service and academia. The program culminated in a closing reception hosted by Dean Daniel Abebe and members of the Columbia Law community along with attorneys from Weil.

The initiative will expand next year with extended training and the introduction of a Distinguished Jurist Speaker Series. Each year, two nationally recognized jurists will visit campus for full-day engagements that are expected to feature a keynote lecture, a conversation with the Dean, class visits, dedicated time for student networking and a closing reception.

“Weil’s tradition of hiring judicial clerks from the District and Bankruptcy Courts all the way to the Supreme Court reflects our appreciation for the unique insights and adaptability these lawyers bring to our Firm,” said John Neuwirth, Co-Chair of Weil’s global Litigation Department. “By partnering with Columbia on the Judicial Clerkship Training Institute, we are investing in future leaders of the profession.”

The sponsorship reflects Columbia Law’s longstanding commitment to clerkship placements. This year alone, 121 Columbia Law alumni are starting clerkships in federal and state courts across the country. The new Institute strengthens that pipeline by giving aspiring clerks early exposure to the skills and perspectives that judges value most and positioning them for a seamless, successful transition into judicial service and beyond.

“Weil is honored to support Columbia’s vision and the next generation of clerks,” said Robert Niles-Weed, Co-Head of Weil's Appeals and Strategic Counseling practice. “The program underscores Weil’s commitment to judicial clerks, whose training and perspectives are integral to the Firm and contribute to the impact of our advocacy.”

About Columbia Law School

As one of the world’s leading institutions of legal education, Columbia Law School is renowned for the intellectual and experiential rigor of its curriculum and the groundbreaking scholarship of its faculty. Drawing strength from the vast interdisciplinary resources of our distinguished research university – and the global stage of New York City – Columbia Law students and alumni stand ready to engage with the world’s most challenging issues across borders, jurisdictions, subject matters, sectors, and industries.

About Weil

Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has been a preeminent provider of legal services for more than 90 years. With approximately 1,200 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in the marketplace and a first-mover in the establishment of many significant practice areas. The Firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields.