Recent Penn Law graduate Parker Rider-Longmaid L’13 has been selected as a clerk for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Rider-Longmaid will begin his October Term 2016 clerkship after he completes his Bristow Fellowship at the Office of the Solicitor General, the office that conducts the federal government’s litigation in front of the Supreme Court. Rider-Longmaid will begin the year-long fellowship on June 29.
“Parker Rider-Longmaid has done Penn proud,” said Stephanos Bibas, Professor of Law and Criminology and Director of the Supreme Court Clinic. “He is not only brilliant, eager, and an indefatigable hard worker, but a sharp writer and all-around great guy. We are happy to celebrate his well-earned success.”
Rider-Longmaid graduated summa cum laude from the Law School and also earned an MPA from the Fels Institute of Government at Penn. In addition, he was also an Executive Editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review.
Rider-Longmaid is no stranger to working on Supreme Court cases. As a member of the Supreme Court Clinic, he worked on a number of cases, including Petrella v. Metro-Goldwin-Mayer, Levin v. United States, and Chafin v. Chafin — cases where Justice Ginsburg wrote majority or concurring opinions.
“This opportunity is a testament to a supportive and collegial Penn Law community,” said Rider-Longmaid. “Professors Jim Feldman, Stephanos Bibas, and Catherine Struve wrote in support, as did Judges Anthony J. Scirica and Gene E.K. Pratter, who bring considerable judicial experience and expertise to Penn Law’s classrooms.”
“In addition,” he added, “Professor Christopher Yoo, Co-Chair of the Clerkship Committee with Professor Struve, not only provided valuable advice and guidance from early on in my Penn Law career, but, along with Professor Bibas, also helped prepare me for the interview, as did Professor Howard Chang, who clerked for Justice Ginsburg when she sat on the D.C. Circuit. As always, Chris Fritton helped advise and coordinate my application process, and the last four Penn Supreme Court clerks all provided invaluable guidance.”
Rider-Longmaid also credits Penn Law’s public interest community for supporting his pro bono work with the Prisoners’ Education and Advocacy Project and the Leaders in Education Advocacy & Reform Network, or L.E.A.R.N., as well as supporting his interest in federal government service. Rider-Longmaid spent part of his 2L summer at the Federal Programs Branch of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.
Rider-Longmaid is currently finishing his clerkship with the Honorable Anthony J. Scirica of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He previously clerked for the Honorable Gene E.K. Pratter of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He credits clerking at both levels, trial and appellate, as instrumental in his development as a lawyer.
“I have been blessed to find inimitable mentors in both my judges,” said Rider-Longmaid, “and I’d urge any aspiring litigator to clerk, if possible, at both the trial and appellate levels.”
“All these experiences,” Rider-Longmaid added, “and the people who have helped make them possible, have prepared and energized me for the challenges ahead.”