Since 1973, the Supreme Court Fellows Program has enabled exceptionally talented people to contribute to the work of the Supreme Court of the United States, the Federal Judicial Center, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and more recently the United States Sentencing Commission. Founded by Chief Justice Warren Burger, the program provides fellows an opportunity to study firsthand both the administrative machinery of the federal judiciary and the dynamics of interbranch relations.

The Supreme Court Fellows Program seeks outstanding individuals from diverse professions and academic backgrounds, including law, the social and behavioral sciences, public and business administration, systems research and analysis, communications, and the humanities.

Work assignments and projects reflect the needs of the judiciary and the interests and capabilities of the fellows. Fellows gain insight into the contemporary policy issues facing the judiciary as well as an appreciation of the nature of judicial administration. Individuals best able to maximize the resources of the Supreme Court Fellows Program are those with initiative, poise, and adaptability.

The Supreme Court Fellows Program is administered by the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice in cooperation with the Federal Judicial Center, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the United States Sentencing Commission and the Supreme Court Historical Society.

Photo of the Marshall Judiciary Building
The Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building

"As a result of the fellowship, I learned to think about the craft of judging in more nuanced and complex ways and to reflect critically on the role of judges in civil law versus common law systems."

Carmen Gonzalez
Associate professor of law, Seattle University School of Law