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Posted: **Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:34 pm**

Just a quick (and perhaps silly) question:

If I receive an offer from my summer employer (this would likely happen prior to clerkship applications), do I need to accept it, or can I ask them to keep it open until I complete my clerkship?

I've heard that for a 2L not to accept a summer offer on the spot looks bad (directly from hiring people at my old firm).

Is it different for those who plan to clerk?

Posted: **Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:24 pm**

G. T. L. Rev. wrote:The short answer is: it depends. Some firms will get you a permanent offer decision before clerkship hiring takes place, others won't. Some judges require you to not accept any offers of employment, others don't. In my case I was able to accept my firm's offer before starting my clerkship, but the firm said it would've held it for me if I needed them to.

While firms generally prefer you to accept promptly, not doing so because your judge requires you not to is a generally understood thing in the legal profession. As long your firm is a reputable one and the economy doesn't tank (any further) during your clerkship, the offer will still be there for you afterwards. Where things get a little tricky is bar stipends/advances.

What if the offer comes before I know what judge? Is it OK to ask them to await the outcome of clerkship hiring?

Posted: **Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:12 pm**

When are the offers generally made?

Last week of SA? A week later? A month?!?

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