This year, seven alumni from the University of Chicago Law School are serving as clerks for justices on the U.S. Supreme Court during the October 2025-26 term. The alumni are working with Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.
While this is not a record number—nine UChicago Law alumni clerked at the Court in the 2021-22 term—it highlights the school’s continued presence among top federal clerkships. Over the past 53 terms, at least one graduate has served as a Supreme Court clerk in 52 years, with multiple clerks in 41 of those years.
Jonathan S. Masur, co-chair of the Law School’s Clerkship Committee and John P. Wilson Professor of Law, commented on this achievement: “The fact that seven of our graduates have landed Supreme Court clerkships—just a few years after a record-setting year with nine clerks—speaks to the exceptional caliber of lawyers emerging from UChicago Law.”
Masur also noted: “We are especially proud that our graduates clerk for seven different justices, including our first-ever clerks for Justices Sotomayor and Jackson. This reflects the wide range of students who thrive at UChicago and go on to make a profound impact in the legal world.”
Thomas J. Miles, former dean and Clifton R. Musser Professor of Law and Economics, added: “At the Law School, we challenge our students to think deeply, reason rigorously, and engage in the most complex legal questions of our time. These clerkship placements are a testament to their hard work and to the faculty’s commitment to fostering excellence. We are incredibly proud of these alumni and look forward to the contributions they will make to the legal profession.”
The seven alumni serving as Supreme Court clerks include:
- Gabrielle Dohmen (JD’23), clerk for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Dohmen previously clerked for Judge Vince Chhabria (U.S. District Court for Northern California) and Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan (U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C.). She was recognized as a Rubenstein Scholar and Kirkland & Ellis Scholar at UChicago Law.
“I think UChicago does a great job of teaching students how to conduct a rigorous legal inquiry and, more generally, how to think about legal issues,” Dohmen said. “What I’ve found most helpful in my clerkships so far...is that my time at UChicago Law gave me an instinct for how to drill down on a case until I really understood every aspect...Those instincts have been invaluable when it comes to giving recommendations on how to decide a case.” She credited several professors for their support: “I would not have this amazing opportunity without them.”
- Caitlin Fennelly Ferguson (JD’24), clerk for Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Ferguson previously worked with Judge Amul Thapar (U.S. Court of Appeals for Sixth Circuit). She was also recognized as a Kirkland & Ellis Scholar.
“Clerking at the Supreme Court has been a dream of mine since I started at UChicago,” she said. “At the Law School, my professors and peers pushed me to think deeply about the law...It’s a testament to the quality of instruction at UChicago that there are so many alumni clerking at the same time.”
- Brynne Follman (JD’23), clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts.
Follman previously worked with Judge Jennifer Rearden (U.S. District Court Southern District New York) and Judge Stephanos Bibas (U.S. Court of Appeals Third Circuit).
“UChicago Law prepared me to be excited for a challenge,” Follman said.“I remember Prof.[Saul] Levmore telling my 1L torts class to run toward the trickiest legal questions...Throughout my time at the Law School,I felt community embrace both practices: diving headfirst into new ideas but returning...to approach disagreement with an open mind.” She advised others considering similar paths: “Take chance.Don’t count yourself out.”
- Kate Harris (JD’21), clerk for Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Harris previously worked as an associate focusing on trial/appellate litigation in Washington,D.C.,and had earlier experience with Judge David Hamilton(U.S.Court Appeals Seventh Circuit).
Reflecting on her education,Harris said,“I carry all these lessons(and many,many more)with me...so many people at UChicago Law helped shape person/lawyer I am today.” On advice:“Focus on being present,built intentional relationships,and take next best step forward...You can control how you meet each moment/learn from those around you so you can become better lawyer/leader/person.”
- Matthew Phillips(JD’23),clerk for Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Phillips previously worked with Judges Neomi Rao(JD’99,U.S.Court Appeals D.C.)and Julius Richardson(JD‘03,U.S.Court Appeals Fourth Circuit).
“I see clerking at court as opportunity serve country/contribute development law,” Phillips said.“I also hope grow craft lawyer through wrestling hard questions/interacting justices/fellow clerks.” He encouraged curiosity among aspiring clerks:“Grades obviously important,but it’s just as important that you develop hunger knowledge/capacity think yourself.”
- Micah Quigley(JD’21),clerk for Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Quigley was formerly an associate in Washington,D.C.,at Gibson Dunn,and had prior experience with Judges Andrew Oldham(Fifth Circuit)and Neomi Rao(D.C.).
“I first started reading judicial opinions before law school,and I was immediately enamored with Supreme Court.There is something truly special about Anglo-American tradition using both reason/inherited wisdom decide cases,” Quigley said.“Naturally—once I learned what ‘clerkship’ was—I concluded that clerking Supreme Court justice would be immense privilege.I hope discharge duties well.”
- Will Strench(JD’21),clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas.
Strench previously worked as associate Jones Day(Washington,D.C.),focused appellate advocacy/complex litigation,and had prior experience with Chief Judge William Pryor(Eleventh Circuit)and Judge Neomi Rao(D.C.).
Strench described his role:“A U.S.Supreme Court clerkship is unique opportunity do what I most love about law,chasing down hard intellectual problems concrete impacts highest stakes/working wonderful/talented people.I don’t think even considered possibility until mentors mentioned it me...” He advised others:“Hit ground running law school;look clerkships where you can learn/grow lot;find ways deepen intellectual foundations your studies beyond just what takes pass classes perform day-to-day.”
These appointments continue University of Chicago's longstanding tradition in placing graduates into prominent judicial roles across federal courts.