When to apply for D.Ct. Clerkship? Forum

[Shaggier1]

I will be graduating in 2013 and want to clerk at Dist. Ct. level after two years of practice. Any thoughts on when I should be submitting applications for clerkships? It seems that many Dist. Ct. judges are hiring 2-3 years out nowadays... can I just submit apps. in 2013 and say that I am applying for 2015-16?

[JusticeJackson]

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[Shaggier1]

Yeah, Alsup is the one that spooked me and had me thinking "wow, I have to apply earlier than I thought." If he represents the exception, rather than the rule, however, I have less to worry about.

Thanks for the tips!

[Anonymous User]

Applying this far out seems ridiculous unless you know the specific judge is hiring. I’d monitor Oscar, ask professors you’re close to, and perhaps ask your career services people (if they’re competent). The only district court judge that I’ve heard of that hires this far out is Judge Alsup. Judge Rakoff might as well.

There are other district court judges who hire extraordinarily far out - Judge Ellis in EDVA finished hiring in early April this year for 2013 and Judge Thapar in EDKY was hiring in March-May this year for 2013. Many of the SDNY judges were hiring last Fall for 2013 and I have heard of some hires already for 2014.