“These positions are highly sought-after by the top students in every law school,” said Assistant Dean for Career Services Linda Calvert Hanson. “These five students have shown that they are the best of the best, and their accomplishment reflects great credit on UF as well.”

Clerks chosen this year include:

· Tobi Butensky, who will work for one year with U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Jones in Ocala.

· Meaghan Gragg, who will spend two years as clerk for District Judge Ursula Ungaro- Benages in Miami.

· Christine Menendez, who will serve as clerk for Judge Susan Bucklew in Tampa during 2007 and 2008.

· Monica Vila, who will clerk for Judge Susan Black of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal in Jacksonville.

· Kurt Zaner, who will clerk with Judge Kenneth Marra in West Palm Beach. Serving as a judicial clerk can be a great start to a legal career, notes Calvert Hanson.

Top law firms often hire former clerks, and a federal clerkship – particularly at the appellate level – can be a stepping stone to a clerkship with the U.S. Supreme Court.