Supreme Court Fellows Begin 2015-2016 Term

Four Supreme Court Fellows have begun their 2015-2016 fellowships in the federal Judiciary.

Amelia Yowell, who comes to the Fellows Program from a clerkship with Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Mary H. Murguia, is assigned to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. 

Debra A. Perlin, previously a justice advisor in the Office of Criminal Assistance Partnerships Justice Team, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, is assigned to the Supreme Court’s Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice.

Jayme Herschkopf, previously an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, is assigned to the Federal Judicial Center.     

Patrick A. Woods, who was a law clerk for Second Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Peter W. Hall, is assigned to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

The Supreme Court Fellows Program was created in 1973 by the late Chief Justice Warren E. Burger to provide individuals with a first-hand understanding of the federal government, in particular, the judicial branch. In the words of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., the program offers “a unique opportunity for exceptional individuals to contribute to the administration of justice at the national level.”

Each year, Fellows work with top officials in the judicial branch of government on various projects examining the federal judicial process and seeking, proposing, and implementing solutions to problems in the administration of justice. 

The Supreme Court Fellows are selected by a commission composed of nine members selected by the Chief Justice of the United States. Additional background on each of the 2015-16 Supreme Court Fellows, along with information on the history of the Fellows Program and the Fellowship year is available online.