Continue working as law clerk after accepting SA offer? Forum

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Paparingo

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Continue working as law clerk after accepting SA offer?

Post by Paparingo » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:08 pm

I currently work at a small law firm as a law clerk making about $20 an hour (best I could get as a 1L from a TTT . . . even with strong grades). I got the job about half way through my 2nd semester of law school. The job continues through the semesters of the school year for approximately 12 - 20 hours per week. My hours are very flexible, and the attorneys for whom I work were entirely aware that I was looking for an SA position.

I recently received/accepted a SA offer from a V20 firm. As such, I will only work my current job until the beginning of the summer at the latest and then it's on to greener pastures. Honestly, the job is at about at the bottom of a long list of priorities, and I think I've received all of the valuable experience I am going to get as a law clerk there. I am, therefore, very tempted to tell them I'll work through Christmas break and then I'm done. I will offer to train whoever they want to hire to replace me whenever they get around to it. If I leave this job, I will probably do moot court in the spring as I understand that law review is relatively front loaded.

The way I see it, I have the following options: 1. Unequivocally tell them I am done after break; 2. Suck it up and pocket some extra cash throughout second semester; 3. Give them the option to keep me or hire somebody else 2nd semester and potentially have to work until summer.

What you would do in this situation? For some more information: I don't really need the money anymore. I really like the attorneys there, and I don't think I'll burn any bridges by not working next semester.

Thanks

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Re: Continue working as law clerk after accepting SA offer?

Post by Anonymous User » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:43 pm

You don't need the money + you don't think you have more to learn there + job is bottom of your list of priorities = Absolutely no reason to stay. 3 months (till next semester) is plenty of notice. So... Exactly what is the issue? What upside would be gained, or what downside of leaving would be avoided, by staying?

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ggocat

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Re: Continue working as law clerk after accepting SA offer?

Post by ggocat » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:00 pm

Tough choice. You're not really "safe" until you get a permanent offer from the V20 (and even that's not "safe"). EDIT Will you burn a bridge if you leave? (i.e., is there a possibility of working for this firm again if the V20 option falls through?)

Now that I read your entire OP, I'd leave.

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dood

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Re: Continue working as law clerk after accepting SA offer?

Post by dood » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:27 pm

no reason at all to stay

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