"Temporary" clerkship openings logistics Forum

[Anonymous User]

There is a clerkship that opened up from February 2013-September 2013 in my top choice District.

I need to call to see if there's a potential to expand that to more but what I was wondering is how temporary clerkships work with jobs that require clerking experience and how it works with clerkship bonuses.

Assuming there is no possibility to renew from September 13-September 14, would the 7 months qualify me for a clerkship bonus at firms? Would it tend to satisfy a federal clerkship requirement?

Thanks!

[anon168]

There is a clerkship that opened up from February 2013-September 2013 in my top choice District.

I need to call to see if there's a potential to expand that to more but what I was wondering is how temporary clerkships work with jobs that require clerking experience and how it works with clerkship bonuses.

Assuming there is no possibility to renew from September 13-September 14, would the 7 months qualify me for a clerkship bonus at firms?

This is firm dependent. You need to ask your firm, or firms that you're interested in.

Would it tend to satisfy a federal clerkship requirement?

What is a "federal clerkship requirement"?

[Anonymous User]

Would it tend to satisfy a federal clerkship requirement?

What is a "federal clerkship requirement"?

The only one I know is that to apply for a USAO gig through DOJ Honors, you have to have had a federal clerkship. I don't know if the OP means that or if s/he's thinking of firms that tend to only hire clerks.

OP here: There are firms that require federal clerkships. I imagine the answer there is "firm dependent" as well. I suspected as much, but didn't know if anyone here had experience in a similar situation.

[Anonymous User]

Another worthwhile consideration might be the lack of benefits that typically come with a clerkship lasting less than a full year, e.g., no health insurance.

[Anonymous User]

Another worthwhile consideration might be the lack of benefits that typically come with a clerkship lasting less than a full year, e.g., no health insurance.

OP: thanks for that. I'm not coming straight through though so I'd have some savings and be able to pay for it independently. It would suck but it's doable!

[theaccidentalclerk]

Some things to think about:

1.) Some judges will insist that you identify the clerkship as a temporary one so as not to "dilute" the resume value of a "real" clerkship. Most won't.

2.) If you're ever applying for jobs, you'll need to be ready to explain why you only clerked for seven months. Though that's not so hard with a clerkship starting in February.

3.) Most judges who are looking for temporary clerks -- especially at the district court level -- want someone with clerking experience. There's generally about a three month ramp-up period, so if they hired a newbie for a six or seven month stretch, half of that would be spent teaching the clerk what to do.

4.) That said, if you did get the job, it would give you a huge leg up in that district for a full year (or two) clerkship, assuming you did a decent job.

Hope this helps...