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This may be a basic question, but when does the post-clerkship applying/interviewing/hiring occur? Should you start reaching out to firms before your clerkship begins? Does it make a difference if you deferred an outstanding offer until after completion of the clerkship, but want to consider other options/firms? That is to say, should you apply earlier if you may have to withdraw an acceptance from another firm?

Major market firms typically start interviewing/hiring in the beginning of the year for clerks to start that fall. But, as with all things clerkship-y, the details are going to vary with the judge. For example, my judge won't let clerks accept a law firm's offer until early summer. Other judges allow clerks to accept offers before they start. I'm not sure that timing varies based on whether you have a standing offer, outside of your own desire to quickly advise the firm who's already offered you.