Professor Chapin Cimino penned an article in the fall 2012 issue of the Philadelphia Lawyer which discusses the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania's Judicial Fellowship Program. 

As Cimino explains, the court established the program in recognition of the many exceptional graduates from Philadelphia area law schools seeking professional development opportunities. The program allows recent law graduates to apply for an unpaid fellowship with a judge of his or her choice, Cimino said.  If the judge selects an applicant, he or she would work in chambers part-time, be given the same work as a full-time law clerk, but the fellow can continue looking for a full-time paying position, Cimino added. 

Cimino commented that the program is an excellent way for recent law graduates to to avoid a gap on their resume, gain valuable legal experience all while performing a valuable public service.  Cimino highlighted that numerous students have already reaped the benefit of the program, with 88 percent of fellows participating in the program leaving their fellowship for a paid legal position.