From Minnesota Law to Federal Courts: Tyler Blackmon’s Journey to Securing Two Federal Clerkships

In the legal profession, few accomplishments rival the prestige and significance of securing a judicial clerkship. It’s a pinnacle achievement that sets the stage for a promising legal career, offering invaluable experiences, mentorship, and insights into the inner workings of the judicial system. With a limited number of state and federal judgeships, securing a judicial clerkship is immensely competitive. For recent graduate Tyler Blackmon ’24, his journey from law school to securing not one but two highly coveted federal clerkships is a testament to his dedication, a top-tier legal education, and the unparalleled support and resources of Minnesota Law’s Career Center. 

Blackmon’s path to law school began after he completed his undergraduate studies at Yale, followed by five years immersed in the world of politics in Minnesota. He felt a calling to return to academia, driven by a desire for intellectual challenge and a commitment to ensuring that legal rights are not just theoretical but actively upheld and protected in society. 

“When I decided to attend law school, I wanted to make sure I chose a place that offered not only a strong network but also a top-tier education,” Blackmon explains. “Minnesota Law was the perfect fit—it provided the balance I was seeking.”

With career aspirations to work in antitrust litigation and class action law, one of the defining factors in Blackmon’s decision was Minnesota Law’s track record of guiding students toward prestigious clerkships. “Even before I applied to law school, I had my eye on federal clerkships,” Tyler recalls. “And the conversations I had with professors beforehand assured me that Minnesota Law had the potential to make that a reality.”

Blackmon’s journey towards securing federal clerkships began with an externship during his 2L year through Minnesota Law’s Judicial Field Placement course. “The Law School has an incredible judicial externship program,” Blackmon remarks. “I was matched with Judge Tunheim ’80, which turned out to be a stroke of luck as I ended up securing a judicial clerkship with Judge Tunheim after graduation. It has allowed me to develop a close relationship with him, giving me a head start on my full-time clerkship.”

Navigating the application process for federal clerkships is no small feat—it requires meticulous planning, academic excellence, and strategic networking. “It’s a highly competitive process,” Blackmon acknowledges. “But the support I received from the Career Center was a godsend. I couldn’t have done it without them, especially being a first-generation college student. They helped from beginning to end with all 70 of my applications—handling letters of recommendation, assisting with physical mailings, preparing carefully tailored mock interviews, and even providing crucial financial support for in-person interviews across the country.”

Joy Wang ’16, career counselor and judicial clerkship advisor at Minnesota Law, underscores the importance of personalized support for students pursuing clerkships. "We work closely with students like Tyler to develop tailored strategies for their clerkship applications," Wang explains. "From resume and cover letter reviews to mock interviews and networking opportunities, our goal is to empower students to present their strongest candidacy to judges."

In addition, financial support is also a crucial component of the process, particularly as students interview for clerkships across the country. "Traveling for clerkship interviews can be expensive, especially for students on a tight budget," Wang acknowledges. "Thanks to donor support, the Career Center is able to reimburse some of these travel costs and help alleviate the financial burdens associated with the interview process.”

Tyler’s perseverance paid off when he secured clerkships with Judge John R. Tunheim ’80 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (2024-25) and Judge James R. Wynn in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2025-26). Reflecting on his achievement, Tyler expresses gratitude for the resources and support he received at Minnesota Law. “I feel incredibly lucky, to be honest. I think it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to do even one federal clerkship, but two are really setting me on a path to success for the rest of my career. The experiences I’ve had at Minnesota Law have been instrumental in preparing me for these clerkships, while the resources and guidance that I received from the Career Center provided me with a springboard,” shares Blackmon.

As Blackmon embarks on his clerkships, he looks forward to the valuable experience they will provide as he prepares for his next career step. Following the completion of both clerkships, Blackmon plans to enter private practice as a civil litigator in federal court to help enforce the nation’s antitrust laws.

Blackmon’s success story underscores the critical role played by donor support in maintaining the excellence of Minnesota Law's legal education, essential programming, and resources for students. The programming and resources provided by the Career Center, which proved instrumental in Blackmon's journey to securing federal clerkships, are made possible through the generosity of donors. By investing in Minnesota Law, donors not only support individual students like Blackmon but also contribute to the cultivation of future legal professionals who will make meaningful contributions to the legal field and society at large. Philanthropy ensures that Minnesota Law continues to be a launchpad for aspiring legal professionals.

Give