This summer, David R. Fox, JD '12, will begin a clerkship for Associate Justice Stephen Breyer of the Supreme Court of the United States. After spending several years in Boston, Mr. Fox will be returning to Washington, D.C., to begin his yearlong clerkship.
After graduating from GW Law, Mr. Fox worked as an associate at Goodwin's Washington, D.C., office from 2012 to 2014. While in the firm's litigation department, he worked on class action defense work and on several federal court of appeals briefs. In June 2014, Mr. Fox left Goodwin to clerk for the Honorable David J. Barron of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston. Mr. Fox clerked for Judge Barron during his first year on the bench and was one of his first four clerks.
After the clerkship ended in August 2015, Mr. Fox returned to Goodwin but relocated to the firm's office in Boston, where his practice focuses on complex civil and appellate litigation.
Mr. Fox credits the support from GW Law faculty for helping him secure the clerkship for Justice Breyer. According to him, Bradford R. Clark, William Cranch Research Professor of Law, was particularly supportive and helpful when Mr. Fox applied for his initial clerkship for Judge Barron. "Professor Clark was the one to point out that Judge Barron was up for confirmation and to suggest that I should apply," Mr. Fox said. "He was also very helpful when I decided to apply to the Supreme Court. He worked with me to strategize and provided critical advice. Many other members of the faculty, along with the clerkship office, were also exceptionally supportive throughout the process."
Professor Clark praised Mr. Fox's flexibility and persistence in applying over several years. "Many students who go on to clerk do not get a clerkship right out of law school because judges increasingly value experience. David's willingness to apply for clerkships after practicing a few years was essential to his success," he said.
The experience of having clerked for Judge Barron also played a "big role" in helping Mr. Fox secure his Supreme Court clerkship. "I am thrilled to be able to work for and learn from Justice Breyer. It will also be great to be behind the scenes and see how things actually work on the Court, as well as to have the chance to work with the other clerks," he said.
For law students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity, Mr. Fox encourages them to be always on the lookout for opportunities even after graduation.
"When I was going into my third year at GW Law, I interviewed with several judges but did not ultimately get a clerkship. I was disappointed," he said. "By keeping an eye out for opportunities, keeping my options open, and staying in touch with faculty, I was able to clerk for Judge Barron. That ultimately led to the opportunity of being able to clerk for Justice Breyer."
Mr. Fox follows in the footsteps of several other GW Law alumni who clerked for Supreme Court Justices in recent years, including Ann O'Connell (who clerked for Chief Justice Roberts), Jennifer Mascott (who clerked for Justice Thomas), Jonathan Bond (who clerked for Justice Scalia), Ryan Watson (who clerked for Justice Alito), and Mark Taticchi (who clerked for Justice Kennedy).
Mr. Fox's clerkship with Justice Breyer will begin in July.