How many judges and law clerks comprise the court, and what are their backgrounds?
Vasquez: At full complement, the Court is composed of 19 judges, each of whom has been appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. As of this writing, there is one vacancy on the court. The specified term is 15 years, but judges are typically reappointed. In addition, there are seven other judges who are recalled as a “senior” judge, meaning that they have completed their 15-year term or have reached age 70 and have been recalled for active service by the Chief Judge. These senior judges receive assignments of cases by the Chief Judge. The court also has nine “special” trial judges, who are appointed by the Chief Judge. They primarily hear small cases, designated “S” cases, and other cases assigned to them by the Chief Judge. Generally, each of the presidentially appointed judges has two law clerks and each of the senior judges and special trial judges has one law clerk. As one might expect, getting a position as a law clerk is very competitive. Clerks come fr
