Separation of Powers Bootcamp
August 3-5, 2026
Washington, D.C.
The Separation of Powers Institute (“SPI”) is preparing to hold its second annual “Separation of Powers Bootcamp” in Washington, DC on Aug. 3–5, 2026. The Bootcamp is geared toward recent law school graduates (i.e., those who graduated law school within the last three years or so) interested in serving as judicial law clerks. As part of the Bootcamp, students will attend a series of lectures offered by leading scholars and practitioners. Students can expect to learn the ins and outs of various topics—such as the nondelegation doctrine, the major questions doctrine, presidential appointment and removal, and forms of judicial deference to agency decisions. Students will be expected to complete reading assignments prior to the Bootcamp.
When:
Monday Aug. 3, 2026 (dinner) through Wednesday Aug. 5, 2026 (lunch)
Where:
Washington, DC (Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law)
Financial Support:
SPI will reimburse attendees for domestic coach airfare (or comparable long-distance transportation) to and from the Washington, DC area, pay and arrange for two nights of hotel accommodations in Washington, DC, and provide dinner on Aug. 3, breakfast and lunch on Aug. 4, and breakfast and lunch on Aug. 5. In addition, SPI will provide attendees with a $300.00 honorarium. Attendees are encouraged to use a portion of their honorarium for local travel expenses (e.g., taxis to/from airports and campus).
Who Should Apply:
Last year’s inaugural bootcamp was attended by recent law school graduates preparing to clerk on a variety of courts—including multiple United States Court of Appeals, multiple United States District Courts, and a state Supreme Court. Any recent law school graduate who is interested in learning more about the separation of powers and administrative law is encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to graduates who are set to clerk for a judge within the next one to two years, and who demonstrate an interest in engaging deeply with the material.
How To Apply:
Please email a cover letter expressing your interest in attending the Bootcamp, as well as your resume, to Prof. Chad Squitieri at Squitieri@cua.edu by Friday, May 29, 2026. Applications may be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Questions:
Please contact Professor Chad Squitieri with any questions at Squitieri@cua.edu.