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J. Michelle Childs

The Honorable J. Michelle Childs was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in July 2022. Judge Childs holds an undergraduate degree in Management from the University of South Florida Honors College, a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, a Masters in Personnel and Employment Relations from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, a Masters of Judicial Studies from Duke University School of Law, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Service from the University of South Carolina.

From 1992 to 2000, Judge Childs worked at Nexsen Pruet, ultimately achieving the designation of partner. Upon acceptance of a gubernatorial appointment, she served from 2000 to 2002 as the Deputy Director for the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation’s Division of Labor. From 2002 to 2006, as a result of another gubernatorial appointment, Judge Childs served as a commissioner on the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. In 2006, the South Carolina General Assembly elected her as a state circuit court judge. During her time on the state bench, Judge Childs served as chief administrative judge for General Sessions, which is South Carolina’s criminal court, and as chief administrative judge for the state’s business court. In 2010, she was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, where she served until her appointment to the D.C. Circuit.

Judge Childs is actively involved with various local, state, and national bar organizations, as well as community organizations. She is the past President of the Federal Judges Association and currently serves as a member of the United States Supreme Court Fellows Commission. Additionally, she is the President-elect of the American Inns of Court Board of Trustees and a member of the class of 2022 Rodel Judicial Fellows. Judge Childs serves on the Council and Membership Committee of the American Law Institute, and has served as an Advisor to the Restatement (Third) of Employment Law. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Bolch Judicial Institute. Within the American Bar Association (ABA), she chairs the Appellate Judges Conference, serves on the Administrative Law Council, and is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Litigation Section. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Committee on the American Judicial System. Judge Childs was formerly the Chair of the ABA’s Judicial Division, the Secretary of the Labor and Employment Law Section, and the Chair of the Appellate Judges Education Institute Conference.

 

Judicial Clerkships

Judge Childs hires (3) term law clerks each year, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the court's work. The law clerks’ offices are located in Judge Childs’ chambers in the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse, William B. Bryant Annex (333 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20001).

ANNOUNCEMENT: JUDGE CHILDS HAS COMPLETED HER LAW CLERK SELECTION FOR THE 2027-28 TERM. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO APPLY. THE APPLICATION LINK AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2028-29 TERM WILL BE PUBLISHED BY MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026.

 

Judicial Internships or Externships

Judge Childs welcomes applications for internships or externships for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. She is highly interested in applicants who study in the District of Columbia.

Submission Deadlines: (You must apply for each term for which you would like to be considered)

  • Fall 2026 - July 15, 2026
  • Spring 2027 – November 1, 2026

Intern and extern applications are NO LONGER accepted through chambers’ email. You may apply using the online internship/externship application links provided below. At the end of the application, you will be prompted to upload your application package to Judge Childs’ Box. This is a secure environment to house your personal information.

2026-27 Fall Intern/Extern Application

2026-27 Spring Intern/Extern Application

A valid Box.com account is required to upload documents. If you do not have one, please create one first.

Incomplete or incorrectly submitted applications will not be considered.

Please ensure your application package contains a cover letter, resume, writing sample (not exceeding 30 pages double-spaced), law school transcripts, and three references (not three letters of recommendation).

  • The document title should read: Last Name, First Name – ABC School – Fall 2026-27 Internship or Externship or Spring 2026-27 Internship or Externship.
  • When submitting an updated application, include “UPDATED” at the beginning of the file caption so chambers is reviewing the most recent version.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a detailed cover letter that addresses their interest in an internship or externship with Judge Childs and at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Note: A list of three references is required, not three letters of recommendation.

 

Judge Tabs