Texas Market Forum

[ebklove]

Following graduation, I will be clerking with the presiding justice at our State Supreme Court (not in Texas). I was just wondering if anyone knew the best route to crack into the Texas market, specifically Dallas, following my clerkship.

Could anyone tell me what the Texas legal market is like for out of state law grads? I grew up in San Antonio, with tons of extended family all across the state, so I have Texas ties.

My law school is unranked, but I am graduating at the top of my class with leadership on law review and moot court.

[turbotong]

Do you attend UT?
Either way, here is your step 1:
Use "our" when referring only to Texas. Declare other states by name. You have that reversed.

[kalvano]

I think you're going to have a hard time coming from an unranked school cracking Dallas. You've got a ton of competition from UT, SMU, and T14's. What are your goals?

[theaccidentalclerk]

If I was you, I'd probably (1) try to graduate first, second or third in the class, and (2) apply to Texas federal district courts. I think you'd probably have a decent shot, actually, as valedictorian or salutatorian applying out of a SSC clerkship.

[ggocat]

I agree with accidentalclerk, though I'd add (3) apply to SCOTX; (4) apply to 5th Circuit if you are #1-3 (very unlikely but possible; I knew a guy who graduated from TTTT and got 5th Circuit clerkship after out-of-state supreme court clerkship); and (4) pass the TX bar.

Did you apply to SCOTX and intermediate appellate courts in Texas the first time around?