A Judge Under Fire: Clerks Speak Out Against Alleged Abuse

A federal judge is facing serious allegations of mistreating her law clerks. The Legal Accountability Project, a group that supports law clerks, has filed a complaint against Judge Sarah Merriam of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This is a rare move, as such complaints are usually handled internally. Multiple former clerks have shared their experiences with the group, but they fear speaking out publicly due to potential retaliation. Aliza Shatzman, the president of the Legal Accountability Project, described the judge's behavior as bullying. She mentioned incidents of yelling, harsh criticism, and aggressive emails sent in all caps. This is not the first time Judge Merriam has faced such allegations. In 2023, an internal investigation found that an unnamed judge on the Second Circuit had an overly harsh management style. The judge agreed to watch workplace conduct videos and receive counseling. Legal commentator David Lat later identified this judge as Merriam.The recent complaint highlights similar issues. Clerks have reported feeling intimidated and uncomfortable in the judge's workplace. One clerk even quit after just a month on the job. Others withdrew from offers to work for the judge after learning about the work environment. Court officials have not responded to requests for comment. Judge Merriam, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, has not addressed the allegations. She previously served as a federal public defender and a magistrate judge in Connecticut. The power imbalance between judges and their clerks is a known issue. Clerks often lack the job protections that other workers have. The Legal Accountability Project's complaint suggests that the concerns of clerks on the Second Circuit are not being adequately addressed.