Rohan Yaradi, a student at Georgetown University Law Center, recently brought home an Honorable Mention Award in the 2026 Judicial Clerkship Opinion Writing competition, held as part of the 2026 Judicial Clerkship Opinion Writing Conference (JCOW). Yaradi earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University in 2020 before pursuing his law degree at Georgetown, where he expects to graduate in 2026. Following his graduation, he will be moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, to clerk for the Honorable Jay S. Bybee of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Reflecting on his time at the conference, Yaradi found the direct interaction with sitting judges to be the most impactful part of the experience. “We are always told to be succinct and clear, but it can be difficult to know what is most important and necessary to include,” Yaradi shared. “The judges at JCOW provided invaluable clarity on how to distill complex legal arguments into essential components. Through their guidance, I learned how to keep judicial opinions short and straightforward without sacrificing accuracy or even personality.”

Yaradi credits his foundational skills to the mentorship he received during his time at Georgetown Law. “Professor Sonya Bonneau’s guidance when I served as her Law Fellow as a 2L provided me with an incredibly strong foundation that I have been able to build on at JCOW,” he noted, expressing special gratitude for her support. Now, with an award-winning performance under his belt, Yaradi looks forward to applying these refined writing skills to his upcoming clerkship, stating, “I look forward to building on what I learned from Professor Bonneau and at JCOW as I begin my clerkship.”

Click here to learn more about the Judicial Clerkship Opinion Writing Conference.