No interest in ever clerking, will that hurt my career? Forum

[crossarmant]

So, I hear about everyone clerking and how important it is, especially going to a school that focuses on clerking. I have absolutely zero interest in ever doing so, is that going to detrimental to my career? Almost every attorney I've met in my summer job has clerked somewhere so I feel like I'd be the oddball out.

[TTH]

Gonna be hard to get dat Article III appointment/tenure track job without it.

Otherwise, doesn't matter.

[Curious1]

So, I hear about everyone clerking and how important it is, especially going to a school that focuses on clerking. I have absolutely zero interest in ever doing so, is that going to detrimental to my career? Almost every attorney I've met in my summer job has clerked somewhere so I feel like I'd be the oddball out.

Also interested in this, especially because I don't even know if federal courts hire foreign clerks (and if they did, I know they can't pay them).

[kalvano]

It won't hurt your career, unless you want to work at Barlit or Susman.

If you want to do litigation, you might re-think it, as it's very helpful for that. Otherwise, it's just a nice resume boost.