Justin Maggerise made the decision to leave his home in Seattle to attend UA-Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law, and it is already paying off tenfold.
Maggerise has been chosen to clerk for Judge Bobby E. Shepherd of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit following his graduation in 2027. Selected clerks work closely with federal appellate judges on often-complex areas of legal research, making federal appellate clerkships among the most desired and most competitive opportunities for law school graduates.
Maggerise credits the Bowen School of Law for sparking his interest in appellate work and providing a solid foundation for his future clerkship.
“Since the second semester of my 1L year, when I first had the opportunity to engage in appellate advocacy through researching, writing, and arguing an appellate brief, I knew that clerking at the federal appellate level was something I wanted to pursue,” Maggerise said. “To now have that opportunity, and to do so for a judge with Judge Shepherd’s experience and perspective, is a true privilege.”
Maggerise said he was attracted to the Bowen School’s capital-city location and the access it provides to established legal professionals.
“Bowen stood out because of its strong connection to the legal community in Little Rock and across the state,” he said. “Being in the capital city, Bowen gives students access to courts, judges, law firms, government, and opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere.”
During law school, Maggerise has built an extensive record of legal experience through clerkships with several Arkansas law firms, including Rainwater Holt & Sexton, Gill Ragon Owen, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, and Friday, Eldredge & Clark. Maggerise also credited the Bowen School’s Law Review and Moot Court programs for bolstering his interest in legal writing and administrative law.
“Justin distinguished himself through the quality of his legal writing, his thoughtful approach to complex administrative law questions, and his commitment to appellate advocacy,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the Bowen School. “Judge Shepherd’s chambers attract exceptionally strong applicants, and this opportunity reflects the seriousness and discipline Justin has brought to his work at Bowen Law.”
Maggerise credited Bowen’s faculty mentorship, Moot Court program, and experiential learning opportunities with helping prepare him for the clerkship.
“Justin has approached every opportunity during law school with professionalism and initiative,” said Diana Snyder, assistant dean for career services. “I’m excited to see him continue building on that success during his clerkship with Judge Shepherd.”
“Having the opportunity to clerk for Judge Shepherd is evidence of Justin’s hard work and success at Bowen,” said Laura Bates, assistant professor of law. Bates previously clerked for Judge Shepherd after graduating from Harvard Law School.
Maggerise said he looks forward to continuing to develop his legal writing and analytical skills during the clerkship and throughout his legal career.
“I know this experience will further shape the way I think about the law, legal writing, and advocacy throughout the rest of my career,” he said.
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