Published: June 24, 2026
Author: Elyse Paul
Notre Dame Law School graduate Olivia Rogers ’23 J.D. will clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett during the 2026-27 term. Rogers will be the sixth graduate to clerk at the U.S. Supreme Court in the last five years.
“It is truly a dream come true,” Rogers said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to clerk for Justice Barrett.”
For Rogers, the opportunity carries special meaning. She began law school during the same semester that Justice Barrett was nominated and confirmed to the Supreme Court. Justice Barrett, a 1997 Notre Dame Law School graduate, joined the Law School faculty in 2002 and remained a faculty member until her confirmation to the Supreme Court.
“From day one of law school, I admired Justice Barrett. Watching her walk through the confirmation process was incredibly inspiring as a first-year law student.”
During her time as a law student, Rogers served as executive articles editor for the Notre Dame Law Review, competed in moot court, and was president of the Federalist Society during her third year. She was also involved with the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic, gaining valuable hands-on legal experience.
Following graduation, Rogers clerked for Judge Kevin Newsom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and Judge David Stras of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. She credits both experiences with shaping her growth as a lawyer.
“I am so grateful to have worked for two top jurists during my clerkships. Both clerkships offered me the opportunity to consider important legal issues as applied to real-world cases, and taught me to think critically and communicate clearly.”
Rogers most recently practiced at Consovoy McCarthy PLLC in Washington, D.C., where she focused primarily on constitutional and election law matters. Her path to the Supreme Court clerkship emerged through the encouragement of mentors she encountered along the way.
As she prepares to begin her Supreme Court clerkship, Rogers says she looks forward to learning directly from Justice Barrett and her fellow clerks.
“Justice Barrett is a model of excellence in all facets of life. She is as incredible a jurist as she is a role model of faith and family. I am so excited to work for her and learn from her throughout the year.” Rogers said.
She is equally grateful for the formation she received at the Law School, which she says prepared her not only as an attorney, but as a person.
“I received a superb legal education from some of the top scholars in some of the most exciting areas of the law,” Rogers said. “But what made Notre Dame special was how professors invested in students beyond the classroom. The guidance, advice, and encouragement I received from my professors was invaluable, and I would not be where I am today without their support.” She particularly expressed gratitude for the mentorship and support of Notre Dame faculty members throughout law school and the clerkship process, including Professors Richard Garnett, Nicole Stelle Garnett, Jeffrey Pojanowski, and John Meiser.
“All of us who were fortunate enough to work with Olivia regard that experience as a blessing,” said Professor Richard Garnett. “She was an engaged student, a generous citizen, an admirable role model, and a gifted teacher. The country and the justices are fortunate that she is contributing, as a public servant, to the work of the Court. I confidently expect great things from her in the learned profession that is the law.”
“It was truly a privilege and an honor to teach and mentor Olivia, who embodies everything that we hope for in Notre Dame lawyers – a sparkling intellect, deep faith, commitment to advancing the common good, kindness and humility,” added Professor Nicole Stelle Garnett. “We know that she will make us proud at the Supreme Court and in the years ahead.”
Rogers also credits Notre Dame with deepening her faith and fostering lifelong friendships.
“I spent many evenings walking on Notre Dame’s campus, which provides so many opportunities to pause for prayer and reflection, whether at the grotto, around the lakes, or in the chapel,” she said. “Both this time and the relationships I formed with fellow students and faculty allowed my faith to flourish.”
“Olivia could have thrived at any law school in the country,” said Professor Jeffrey Pojanowski, “but we are lucky that she chose Notre Dame because it would allow her to grow both in her professional vocation and her Catholic faith. I could not be more proud of her.”
Reflecting on Notre Dame Law School’s mission to form a “different kind of lawyer,” Rogers said the phrase has taken on even deeper meaning as she has entered legal practice.
“To me, being a different kind of lawyer means looking at the law as a vocation,” she said, “and considering how best to use the gifts and opportunities you have to serve others.”
Rogers says that the opportunity to clerk for Justice Barrett is an extraordinary honor and will be a highlight of her legal career.