The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has relaunched Court Opportunity Recruitment for All (CORA) with a redesigned platform that helps courts connect with students and recent graduates nationwide. With new recruitment tools and improved functionality, CORA 2.0 makes it easier for judges, court administrators, and human resources staff to advertise opportunities, manage applications, and expand their applicant pools.
The upgraded platform introduces several features designed to simplify recruitment and improve the experience for courts, students, and law schools:
• Redesigned user interface: A more intuitive experience makes navigating the platform and managing recruitment activities easier for court users, applicants, and career counselors.
• Mobile-first, accessible platform: A platform that meets web accessibility standards.
• Improved application management tools and data reporting: Streamlined tools to help NCSC collect user data and outcomes.
These improvements build on CORA’s core benefit: a free, centralized platform that helps courts reach qualified candidates beyond their traditional recruitment networks.
Since CORA launched in 2023, courts in 42 states and territories have advertised 601 opportunities, generating 1,170 applications.
For the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, the results were significant. After posting its summer 2024 externship opportunities in CORA, the court received 37 applications from students at 12 law schools nationwide. The previous year, it received just six applications from one law school. Thanks to CORA, the court filled every available position.
“CORA will make opportunities for state court clerkships more accessible. Not only does CORA provide a one-stop shop where diverse law students and recent graduates can find and apply for state court clerkships, it also allows judges to consider a broader and more diverse pool of qualified applicants,” said Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. “And this diversity is important for fostering public trust and confidence in our judiciary.”
CORA isn’t just for judicial clerkships. Courts can also advertise internships, externships, and opportunities across court departments and functions, introducing students and recent graduates to careers throughout the judicial branch.
Law school public interest and clerkship advisors also use CORA to connect students with available positions, helping courts extend their recruitment reach.
Whether a court is recruiting for a judicial clerkship, seeking summer interns, or introducing students to careers in court administration, CORA offers a free way to broaden the applicant pool and build a stronger pipeline of future court professionals.
Courts can create a CORA account and start advertising opportunities. To explore CORA 2.0 and post opportunities, visit www.ncsc.org/our-centers-projects/cora. For assistance getting started, email cora@ncsc.org to schedule a 30-minute Zoom session with the CORA team.
The upgraded platform introduces several features designed to simplify recruitment and improve the experience for courts, students, and law schools:
• Redesigned user interface: A more intuitive experience makes navigating the platform and managing recruitment activities easier for court users, applicants, and career counselors.
• Mobile-first, accessible platform: A platform that meets web accessibility standards.
• Improved application management tools and data reporting: Streamlined tools to help NCSC collect user data and outcomes.
These improvements build on CORA’s core benefit: a free, centralized platform that helps courts reach qualified candidates beyond their traditional recruitment networks.
Since CORA launched in 2023, courts in 42 states and territories have advertised 601 opportunities, generating 1,170 applications.
For the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, the results were significant. After posting its summer 2024 externship opportunities in CORA, the court received 37 applications from students at 12 law schools nationwide. The previous year, it received just six applications from one law school. Thanks to CORA, the court filled every available position.
“CORA will make opportunities for state court clerkships more accessible. Not only does CORA provide a one-stop shop where diverse law students and recent graduates can find and apply for state court clerkships, it also allows judges to consider a broader and more diverse pool of qualified applicants,” said Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. “And this diversity is important for fostering public trust and confidence in our judiciary.”
CORA isn’t just for judicial clerkships. Courts can also advertise internships, externships, and opportunities across court departments and functions, introducing students and recent graduates to careers throughout the judicial branch.
Law school public interest and clerkship advisors also use CORA to connect students with available positions, helping courts extend their recruitment reach.
Whether a court is recruiting for a judicial clerkship, seeking summer interns, or introducing students to careers in court administration, CORA offers a free way to broaden the applicant pool and build a stronger pipeline of future court professionals.
Courts can create a CORA account and start advertising opportunities. To explore CORA 2.0 and post opportunities, visit www.ncsc.org/our-centers-projects/cora. For assistance getting started, email cora@ncsc.org to schedule a 30-minute Zoom session with the CORA team.
