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Re: Incoming 1L seeking advice!!!  
  by: nixy   on: August 19, at 3:31:14 pm   in: Law School Courses
1L classes depend on your school. In many (most?) schools, your schedule is set for you and you simply don’t get to take anything else. Some schools do allow you to take one elective, sometimes only in spring semester, and often you choose within a selection of classes, not every class that’s actually being offered. If your school offers that, no reason not to do it, though probably ask around to ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=315871

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 19, at 3:19:31 pm   in: Legal Employment
Are FPDs taking people with no PD or public interest experience, but, e.g., some time in biglaw lit and two clerkships at the district and COA level? Or would that candidate still have to join state level PD and work their way up? My current district, the FPDs all had at least 10 years experience before getting hired, usually mostly state PD but also private criminal defense. But it’s a teeny tin...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 18, at 2:54:54 am   in: Legal Employment
Are FPDs taking people with no PD or public interest experience, but, e.g., some time in biglaw lit and two clerkships at the district and COA level? Or would that candidate still have to join state level PD and work their way up? Every office is different. My office reflected the local AUSA's. About 60-70% were line PDs; 20% were clerks/biglaw, the remainder were other (previous PI or something ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

What to expect for one year before clerkship  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 17, at 11:20:55 am   in: Big Law/Private Practice Jobs
I have a district court clerkship lined up from a year from now. How intense should I expect my first year to be? At a pretty large litigation “boutique” (it’s growing beyond the size of a boutique at this point) and I’m not sure if they’re going to grind me for the whole year, for it to be a somewhat chill year, or somewhere in between where I should expect some work to taper shortly before I lea...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=315882

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 17, at 6:15:53 am   in: Legal Employment
Are FPDs taking people with no PD or public interest experience, but, e.g., some time in biglaw lit and two clerkships at the district and COA level? Or would that candidate still have to join state level PD and work their way up?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: DOJ Prior Drug Use  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 17, at 2:50:53 am   in: Legal Employment
(I’m anon OP). To above user—interesting; aside from the e-quip maintaining the 7-year look back, did you gain any feedback on whether and how they will tolerate use falling within that window? Short answer: no. The powers that be never told me how they view use falling within that window. Long answer: no, but I am inclined to think that they will tolerate marijuana use that is not habitual/under...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315723

Re: How much does district clerkship help with circuit.  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 16, at 6:21:40 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
It can help substantially, especially if your judge goes to bat for you.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315874

Re: DOJ Prior Drug Use  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 16, at 6:12:32 pm   in: Legal Employment
(I’m anon OP).



To above user—interesting; aside from the e-quip maintaining the 7-year look back, did you gain any feedback on whether and how they will tolerate use falling within that window?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315723

Re: How much does district clerkship help with circuit.  
  by: lavarman84   on: August 15, at 2:46:21 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I had a similar resume. Didn't get a sniff from a COA judge while in law school. The D. Ct. clerkship was a huge help for me, especially once I had a LOR from my judge. I ended up with four or five interviews and an offer within a few months.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315875

Re: How much does district clerkship help with circuit.  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 15, at 10:16:34 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
My circuit judge also looked to hire at least one district court clerk per cycle. If they hired someone who had a gap year after graduation, the judge would try to arrange for that person to clerk for a district judge for that gap year.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315875

Re: Let's Talk 7th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 15, at 10:14:17 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563428 time=1755227199 user_id=45852]
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/14/trump-taps-42-year-old-prosecutor-to-fill-seat-on-u-s-court-of-appeals/85668301007/



Sykes’s replacement has been nominated
[/quote]

Great pick
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206075

Re: How much does district clerkship help with circuit.  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 15, at 7:31:58 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
My circuit judge liked district court clerkships and state supreme court clerkships. Didn't really care about the competitiveness of the district or state, but preferred SSC and district court clerks within the actual circuit.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315875

Re: How much does district clerkship help with circuit.  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 15, at 4:15:28 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
No one can ever say you will for sure get a circuit clerkship, but I think it makes you far, far more likely to get a COA clerkship than you were before the Dist. Ct. clerkship. Not many circuit judges who are open to non-T14 candidates tend to hire immediately from law school, but with the DC clerkship and summa-ish from a T25 I think you have about as solid of a shot as a non-T14er (or really T6...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315875

Re: Let's Talk 7th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 14, at 5:06:39 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/14/trump-taps-42-year-old-prosecutor-to-fill-seat-on-u-s-court-of-appeals/85668301007/



Sykes’s replacement has been nominated
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206075

Re: Question for Trial Lawyers  
  by: Lacepiece23   on: August 14, at 12:11:33 pm   in: Legal Employment
Hello All, I'm a BigLaw junior/midlevel. I plan to stay in this role for an additional 2-3 years for financial reasons. The ultimate goal is to be leave and work as a trial lawyer. Ideally, I'd be in a place where I do minimal motion practice and spend most of my time in trials (non-criminal). First, are there places like this? Second, besides asking for more trial-related experiences at the firm...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315879

Re: DOJ Prior Drug Use  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 14, at 10:36:16 am   in: Legal Employment
I was hired very recently. They still haven’t removed the 7-year look back. (Last I checked, it hadn’t been updated as of this summer for any agency.)It takes forever for OPM to update anything.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315723

Re: Let's Talk 3rd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 14, at 10:10:31 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Seeing a Bove posting up on OSCAR 🤮
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206977

Re: DOJ Prior Drug Use  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 14, at 5:43:45 am   in: Legal Employment
OP here, I'd like to bump this one more time.



I have one non-MJ experimental use, and 3-4 MJ uses, that are 5.5 years old, but technically "post-bar."
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315723

Question for Trial Lawyers  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 14, at 5:05:48 am   in: Legal Employment
Hello All, I'm a BigLaw junior/midlevel. I plan to stay in this role for an additional 2-3 years for financial reasons. The ultimate goal is to be leave and work as a trial lawyer. Ideally, I'd be in a place where I do minimal motion practice and spend most of my time in trials (non-criminal). First, are there places like this? Second, besides asking for more trial-related experiences at the firm,...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315879

Fund Formation - megafunds  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 13, at 9:30:36 am   in: Legal Employment
For those who represent megafund sponsors and are within a large fund formation practice, do you feel that you are gaining enough substantive experience to go in-house a few years in? I.e., are you seeing the same matters over and over and not working on substantive tasks/not working on a variety of matters, and feel ill-prepared to go in-house (as opposed to working on smaller client/smaller team...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315878

[Deleted - double post]  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 13, at 9:29:58 am   in: Legal Employment
[double post]
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315877

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: ambrau90   on: August 13, at 8:00:17 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote=Greenbabushka post_id=10563411 time=1755042047 user_id=189753]
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563410 time=1755022831 user_id=45852]
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563382 time=1754590017 user_id=45852]
Tough to pick just one. People seem to

really like clerking for Rakoff, Engelmayer, Abrams, Oetken, Furman, Koeltl and Cote (off the top of my head).
[/quote]

Not Koeltl lol
[/quote]
Why not?
[/quote]

Different poster, but his clerks work late every day (8 or 9 pm) and have to come in every Saturday too. No idea how he is otherwise as a boss though.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 13, at 7:13:24 am   in: Public Interest & Government
I got the reference call about 2 weeks ago and also have not heard anything since
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: Stay in house or take NEP/Jr. Partner position?  
  by: nealric   on: August 13, at 6:51:59 am   in: Legal Employment
Tough call. I think it really boils down to where you think your company is headed. If it's going down the drain, then the Biglaw offers look pretty good. If you think it could be on an upward trajectory, then it may be worth sticking it out. Base is pretty good for what sounds like a fairly chill fully remote job. One thought is that you should have some amount of warning if the company is in dir...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315873

Re: V10 vs V100: What’s the difference? (Litigation)  
  by: Lacepiece23   on: August 13, at 5:41:43 am   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563415 time=1755086287 user_id=45852]
Assuming both are on the Cravath/Milbank scale (equal pay), what’s the day-to-day difference between being an associate doing litigation work at a V10 firm vs a V100 firm?



Sure, PPEP/PPP are different — but what’s the difference in the day-to-day junior or midlevel associate experience?
[/quote]

More or less doc review. More matters vs less higher value matters. Less substantive opportunities.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315876

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 13, at 2:36:10 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563410 time=1755022831 user_id=45852]
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563382 time=1754590017 user_id=45852]
Tough to pick just one. People seem to

really like clerking for Rakoff, Engelmayer, Abrams, Oetken, Furman, Koeltl and Cote (off the top of my head).
[/quote]

Not Koeltl lol
[/quote]

I would also remove Cote (who is a good judge, but can be a difficult person) and Rakoff who is a complete wacko now.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

V10 vs V100: What’s the difference? (Litigation)  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 13, at 1:58:07 am   in: Legal Employment
Assuming both are on the Cravath/Milbank scale (equal pay), what’s the day-to-day difference between being an associate doing litigation work at a V10 firm vs a V100 firm?



Sure, PPEP/PPP are different — but what’s the difference in the day-to-day junior or midlevel associate experience?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315876

Re: Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 12, at 4:35:32 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I had totally forgotten about career clerks--it's definitely a handoff from the exiting clerk, and if he has a career clerk that would explain it. Thanks, makes me less nervous for September.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 12, at 2:20:56 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Makes sense. So for those who have 1-2 P's by the time clerkship hiring rolls around but also maybe "only" 1-2 class prizes (so just a bunch of H's across the board), what's the highest you think they could realistically go for? I assume competitive for 2nd/9th and most/all non-feeders but what about something like CADC? Like at what point would you say it becomes sort of a "requirement" that a s...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Career prospects in workers’ compensation defense?  
  by:   on: August 12, at 1:47:25 pm   in: Legal Employment
Workers' compensation tends to be a pretty specialized area of practice. The compensability of a claim can turn on limited facts so if you just dabble in it, it's easy to get burned. The workers' comp bar, at least where I practice in Northern Virginia is pretty small. I probably know 1/2 of the active attorneys. The hours tend to be flexible on the claimant's side since everything is done electro...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=298591

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Greenbabushka   on: August 12, at 1:40:47 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563410 time=1755022831 user_id=45852]
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563382 time=1754590017 user_id=45852]
Tough to pick just one. People seem to

really like clerking for Rakoff, Engelmayer, Abrams, Oetken, Furman, Koeltl and Cote (off the top of my head).
[/quote]

Not Koeltl lol
[/quote]
Why not?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 12, at 8:20:31 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563382 time=1754590017 user_id=45852]
Tough to pick just one. People seem to

really like clerking for Rakoff, Engelmayer, Abrams, Oetken, Furman, Koeltl and Cote (off the top of my head).
[/quote]

Not Koeltl lol
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Stay in house or take NEP/Jr. Partner position?  
  by: Crazysnackaroo   on: August 12, at 2:34:13 am   in: Legal Employment
This is very much a personal decision and I'm not sure how much we can help you. If you're bored and want to jump and make more money, go for it. It sounds like you could secure employment fairly readily should the company go under or need to "restructure". I'm not sure I would personally jump ship until that time. 400k, fully remote at a gig you seem to actually like? That's pretty fantastic. 600...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315873

Re: Penn Law Honors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 11, at 8:28:27 pm   in: Legal Employment
I've heard that some other law schools require a certain minimum percentage of graded credits to be eligible for Latin Honors. There isn't anything on Penn's website that suggests the school follows a similar rule, but does anyone know for sure?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=313429

How much does district clerkship help with circuit.  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 11, at 6:40:10 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Did not get any interviews with circuit judges this cycle, but I accepted a district clerkship in what I understand is a relatively competitive district. (Ndil/Cdcal/Edny). Top 1% at a t25 law school. Will having a district court clerkship significantly increase chances of getting a circuit interview? Or will judges still primarily screen by law school such that resume won't get pulled from the pi...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315875

How much does district clerkship help with circuit.  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 11, at 6:40:08 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Did not get any interviews with circuit judges this cycle, but I accepted a district clerkship in what I understand is a relatively competitive district. (Ndil/Cdcal/Edny). Top 1% at a t25 law school. Will having a district court clerkship significantly increase chances of getting a circuit interview? Or will judges still primarily screen by law school such that resume won't get pulled from the pi...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315874

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 11, at 3:09:57 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
I got the reference call but have not heard anything since. Has anyone got an offer yet?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Stay in house or take NEP/Jr. Partner position?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 11, at 9:40:12 am   in: Legal Employment
TLDR: Should I give up my cushy in-house job in a tumultuous sector to go back to biglaw as a non-equity partner? Right now I'm the top legal executive at a small portfolio company in the renewable energy sector. For obvious reasons, recently the stability of smaller companies in this industry has come into question -- many shops are conducting layoffs, and there's a growing sentiment that small p...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315873

Re: 2 and a half months since interview  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 11, at 8:22:31 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Op here- you’re right, thanks for the feedback and sorry you’re also in the limbo boat! Do you feel like there’s still a chance for you? It’s weird to me to think that they would’ve have hired someone already but who knows I guess
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315868

Re: Debt finance/LevFi/Banking Outlook  
  by: hkvkhgvhjkv6   on: August 11, at 7:41:06 am   in: Legal Employment
Midlevel lev fin associate at a NY V5 here. I have seen several peers go in-house at banks. I have seen a lot more people go to other firms, sometimes to more general lev fin / cap markets roles than solely lev fin. I don't think I've ever seen anyone in my group go in-house at a company, a private equity shop or to a general corporate position. Lifestyle might depend on which side you're on (bor...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=311319

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 11, at 7:10:10 am   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote=bunnyco post_id=10563392 time=1754677332 user_id=283842]
I was told interviews would continue through the end of August. No word on timing on final decisions/offers. Would love to know updates from other folks in the process. Fingers crossed!
[/quote]

Calls to references post interviews have already gone out.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: Public defense - appeals  
  by: Crazysnackaroo   on: August 11, at 1:47:52 am   in: Legal Employment
State SC isn't necessary. I can't speak for CA, but in the areas I've seen, it's generally for trial PDs who have been in the trenches for a few years who have decent writing. It will really vary by office though and State/County setup. Having a State SC couldn't hurt though!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315872

Public defense - appeals  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 10, at 6:15:21 am   in: Legal Employment
Hi all, I’m interested in becoming a state appellate-level public defender (ideally in CA but geographically flexible). It seems like a hard field to break into; any advice on doing so? E.g., is a State SC clerkship necessary? What other credentials are most valuable? I have a year of law school left.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315872

Re: District in Addition to Two Appellate?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 9, at 12:41:18 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563058 time=1750301647 user_id=45852]
Would be surprised if your firm kept the spot open but do you really care? Is this firm particularly important to you? If you're the type of applicant that can get this many bites from judges, I assume you'll have an easy time getting hired after your clerkships.
[/quote]
It’s not getting hired after the clerkships, it’s what to do in the year in between.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315829

Re: Is it joever for clerking dreams with a very bad 1L grade?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 9, at 12:39:03 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
The other thing to consider is applying after a year or two of working, so you will have all your grades and ideally they’ll have gone up, and your job performance will be taken into account as well. Judges who hire clerks out of the work force may be less grade-focused. Of course that can be logistically more annoying/awkward, so it depends a little on why you want to clerk and what else you want...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315865

Re: Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 9, at 12:36:30 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Is it possible that he has a career clerk and is only having you interact with the other term clerk, because that’s who you will be coordinating the hand-off with?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Re: AUSA advice  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 9, at 12:34:16 pm   in: Legal Employment
Had many friends who were AUSAs. Totally depends on your district, but the most common path is ADA for 5-10 years and then jumping to the US attorneys office. Some USAOs also do SAUSA programs with local DA outfits to see if some folks would be a good fit. In offices Local DA's office to USAO is the tried and true, around 70% or so in the crim section are this. There will also be a group of JAGs ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315864

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 9, at 12:24:32 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563390 time=1754613490 user_id=45852]
Avoid applying to NDTX. USAO currently a complete mess - high attrition rate.
[/quote]

I think this is probably the case in many districts, if mine and the other ones I know are any indication.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Boies Schiller or Davis Polk (NY)?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 9, at 8:20:00 am   in: Legal Employment
BSF has been giving absolutely fucking insane bonuses in recent years so take that into consideration. Like mindboggling.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315809

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by:   on: August 8, at 8:22:12 am   in: Public Interest & Government
I was told interviews would continue through the end of August. No word on timing on final decisions/offers. Would love to know updates from other folks in the process. Fingers crossed!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 4:47:42 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563390 time=1754613490 user_id=45852]
Avoid applying to NDTX. USAO currently a complete mess - high attrition rate.
[/quote]

What about it is a mess?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 2:38:10 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Avoid applying to NDTX. USAO currently a complete mess - high attrition rate.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 2:34:27 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Did he say anything to imply you're replacing his current clerk or are you assuming that? It's fairly common to have one career clerk and one term clerk. Or the current clerk could be there for a two year term and you're replacing either a one-year term clerk or one who's term ended early for various reasons.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Re: Is it joever for clerking dreams with a very bad 1L grade?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 2:28:44 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I didn't have any one very bad grade in 1L, but I did end the year below median by getting middling grades in every class except LRW, where I was below average (kind of an important class for clerking!). I'm about to start a clerkship with an Art III judge in two weeks. I had to clerk for a magistrate judge for a year first, but I got there. I turned my grades around in a big way 2L and 3L and boo...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315865

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: ninthcircuitattorney   on: August 7, at 12:00:26 pm   in: Legal Employment
I would second the FDP recommendation.



When I was there, in my first 2 months, I second chaired a 3 week federal trial and entirely handled a U.S. court of appeals oral argument.



I would average 1 first chair trial and 1 appellate oral argument per year. It's kinda impossible not to learn how to litigate a case there.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: 2 and a half months since interview  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 10:51:51 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I'm in the same boat—interviewed in late-May and haven't heard back. I wouldn't contact them. I've read advice from a few clerks about this situation, and the unanimous opinion is that reaching out can only be a negative because chambers knows you're still interested (i.e., affirming your interest isn't going to shift the needle in your favor), but can certainly come off poorly. I empathize with t...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315868

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 10:46:11 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Data point: People on Reddit are saying they have already received the reference-checking call.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: Special bonus odds?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 8:53:39 am   in: Legal Employment
From my lips to god’s ears
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315867

Incoming 1L seeking advice!!!  
  by:   on: August 7, at 8:36:50 am   in: Law School Courses
Hey everyone, :D I want to ask about the available classes in Law School. I heard from some advisors that the first year of law school is just the foundations and that it is cut and dry. However, in your second year you become able to explore your desired legal expertise. Will I be blocked from choosing any other class or is it heavily advised that I don't choose any other classes? For instance, m...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=315871

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 7, at 8:06:57 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Tough to pick just one. People seem to

really like clerking for Rakoff, Engelmayer, Abrams, Oetken, Furman, Koeltl and Cote (off the top of my head).
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: top_of_the_bellcurve   on: August 7, at 6:38:48 am   in: Legal Employment
This list is quite long, though I'm not sure when it was last updated: https://hls.harvard.edu/bernard-koteen-office-of-public-interest-advising/private-public-interest-law-and-plaintiffs-firm-guide/ The following article isn't very long, but it's nice that p-side firms are getting some publicity now: https://leftsideofthev.substack.com/p/pay-transparency-comes-to-plaintiffs?utm_source=substack&ut...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: 2 and a half months since interview  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 6, at 11:27:29 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
OP here. So it is the consensus I should not reach out to chambers? I’m just so curious if they hired someone and just haven’t told the rejected yet or filled the position on Oscar. It’s killing me
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315868

Resume Format Post Clerkship  
  by: Legal_Trout   on: August 6, at 8:40:54 am   in: Legal Employment
Am 2 years out of law school and about to start second fed. clerkship,(will be applying for jobs with 3 years of post-graduate experience) so cleaning up resume.



Do I start the resume with experience to highlight my clerkships first and put education at the bottom? Or keep education at top and then include experiences?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315870

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 6, at 5:34:41 am   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563357 time=1754264048 user_id=45852]
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563332 time=1753801100 user_id=45852]
Interviews are happening now!
[/quote]

Do you know someone who received an invitation to interview?
[/quote]

Yes, I interviewed last week. It was the usual panel interview!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: AUSA advice  
  by: Crazysnackaroo   on: August 6, at 2:30:44 am   in: Legal Employment
Had many friends who were AUSAs. Totally depends on your district, but the most common path is ADA for 5-10 years and then jumping to the US attorneys office. Some USAOs also do SAUSA programs with local DA outfits to see if some folks would be a good fit. In offices Local DA's office to USAO is the tried and true, around 70% or so in the crim section are this. There will also be a group of JAGs w...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315864

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 4:56:33 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Who is the best judge to clerk for in SDNY? "Best" is fairly subjective and depends on what you are looking for. But generally-speaking if you are looking for a non fedsoc judge from what I have heard Oetken would probably be the favorite; seems like he manages clerk loads the best, is a great boss, very smart, well-connected, and is a fantastic writer. Engelmayer and Carter are probably tied for...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 4:37:48 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I think I might know who this judge is... does the city name start with J? But yes, this is unusual af Starts with a T, and he’s a late Biden appointee. That’s strange. Does the judge handle a lot of stuff themselves? The upside is that you’re bound to end up quite close with that judge by the end of it. It’s a crim-heavy district and he’s an ex-AUSA, so maybe? Does the judge have two JAs? Or is ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Re: Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: lavarman84   on: August 5, at 4:01:26 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Does the judge have two JAs? Or is it possible the other clerk for this year left a little early?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Re: Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 3:59:51 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
That’s strange. Does the judge handle a lot of stuff themselves? The upside is that you’re bound to end up quite close with that judge by the end of it.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Re: Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 2:54:18 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I think I might know who this judge is... does the city name start with J?



But yes, this is unusual af
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Might be the only clerk… am I screwed?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 2:23:09 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Onboarding for a clerkship with a non-senior District Judge in a pretty busy urban district in the South, and a lot of what the judge has said has implied that he only has a single clerk for the year (only mentioning that I should meet with his one current clerk, no mention of co-clerks, etc). This seems very abnormal—anyone have experience with being the only clerk for a full-time judge?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315869

Re: How to tell law firm I got a clerkship one year after my first year  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 2:19:11 pm   in: Legal Employment
They’re likely to look at it positively, particularly if it’s a judge in a district they regularly practice in/a COA judge (though really, any federal clerkship is good and they’ll want to bring you back). In this case, tell them whenever, they’ll be interested in taking you back. I did this with my V10 and they were absolutely fine with it. If you have a material reason to believe they might rene...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315828

Re: 2 and a half months since interview  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 8:18:27 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I agree the with previous commenter that it depends on the judge. I received an offer from my appellate judge about 6 weeks after a lengthy in-person interview. I had started to give up hope before receiving the call. So I wouldn’t presume anything at this point, even though 2.5 months is a long time.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315868

Re: 2 and a half months since interview  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 7:05:09 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Depends entirely on the judge
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315868

2 and a half months since interview  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 6:21:49 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I interviewed with a judge mid/ end of May, still no word. Did I just not get the position? Has anyone else waited this long and did get the position? (Or even got a rejection this late?)



In the interview, the judge did say it was really early on in the process and it could be a while



I shouldn’t call/ email chambers for an update either right?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315868

Re: Is it joever for clerking dreams with a very bad 1L grade?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 5, at 5:27:37 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
It’s not impossible. But I don’t want to sugar coat it: it will be more difficult. You should try to get your 2L grades up. Not at all impossible — I’ve heard of really big turnarounds 2L as people adjust to law school. You should also do one of (or ideally both of) two things: 1) apply very broadly and 2) focus on networking with professors / others with relationships to judges. Your clerkship of...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315865

Re: Special bonus odds?  
  by: nealric   on: August 5, at 4:57:39 am   in: Legal Employment
It's possible a few firms will do it, but I wouldn't get your hopes up that it will be widespread. You have some firms deferring start dates and the big money-making M&A side seems slower this year.



In general, the job market has slowed considerably putting much less pressure on employers to raise wages (or pay bonuses).
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315867

Special bonus odds?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 4, at 5:58:46 pm   in: Legal Employment
Milbank announced summer bonuses almost exactly one year ago (August 8, 2024). Will Milbank — or another comp leader — do the same again this year?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315867

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 4, at 5:27:40 pm   in: Legal Employment
Coming from a junior on the plaintiff side, I'd also highly recommend the plaintiff side for your goals. Charlie Munger once said: "Show me the incentives and I'll show you the outcome." The billable hour model and its incentive structure explains practically EVERY aspect of BigLaw. BigLaw is incentivized for juniors to bill hours. That's it. That means they have no incentive to give you substanti...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 4, at 4:08:10 am   in: Legal Employment
I chose not to return to my big law summer firm, instead going to a "boutique" firm on the plaintiff-side that handles big class actions in a particular practice field. I, too, saw the type of work being completed by the mid- and senior-level associates at the firm. While the more senior folks were starting to get good opportunities, I just didn't see myself sticking around for 5+ years to get to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 3, at 4:34:13 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 3, at 3:18:21 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 3, at 2:43:33 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 3, at 1:34:08 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563332 time=1753801100 user_id=45852]
Interviews are happening now!
[/quote]

Do you know someone who received an invitation to interview?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 3, at 6:59:37 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 3, at 5:38:25 am   in: Public Interest & Government
So I take it if we didn't get an interview request but got the referred email, we didn't make the cut this round?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: C/O 2021 considering lateraling to NYC - do I have to retake the bar?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 3, at 4:59:50 am   in: Legal Employment
Basically title. My understanding is that experienced attorneys can become licensed in New York without taking the bar if they either: -have a passing UBE score not more than 3 years old; or -have practiced for 5 of the last 7 years. I passed the UBE in a non-NY jurisdiction in July 2021 and have been practicing in that jurisdiction for 3.5 years at this point, so I guess I'm both too experienced...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315768

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: top_of_the_bellcurve   on: August 2, at 7:40:53 am   in: Legal Employment
I chose not to return to my big law summer firm, instead going to a "boutique" firm on the plaintiff-side that handles big class actions in a particular practice field. I, too, saw the type of work being completed by the mid- and senior-level associates at the firm. While the more senior folks were starting to get good opportunities, I just didn't see myself sticking around for 5+ years to get to ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 1, at 5:03:10 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563332 time=1753801100 user_id=45852]
Interviews are happening now!
[/quote]

Has anyone who has interviewed in previous cycles received an interview invitation this cycle, or are they still doing the one-bite-at-the-apple thing that started when interviewing went virtual?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: When is it appropriate to move on?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 1, at 3:10:49 am   in: Legal Employment
OP again. Thank you to everybody who contributed. The other attys at the office essentially do the same thing as me--low-stakes hearings with at most a few hours of challenging substantive legal work every month. It seems the only way to move up in this agency is to apply for an opening when somebody higher up leaves. Then, another old-timer or somebody good at office politics gets the position. T...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315776

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: August 1, at 2:19:43 am   in: Legal Employment
Federal Defenders. You are given a ton of responsibility, you have a huge stake in the cases, and it's incredibly good work. You'll lose a lot. I'd also suggest county PD work, but it can be a ton of work at times. Plaintiff side 1983 cases can also be very rewarding if you can find the right outfit, but you likely won't be first chairing things as quickly. Some PI gigs will be similar, local ACLU...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Is it joever for clerking dreams with a very bad 1L grade?  
  by: letmein2thelaw   on: August 1, at 1:51:45 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
T6 with a few years of unique work experience. Have had a miserable year which capped off with getting a literal bottom of the class grade in one of my courses. Have since reviewed medical options for mental health and am planning to hit the ground running for 2L and 3L, but I was wondering if any ambitions of an Art 3 Clerkship are strangled in the grave. Other than the one class, got middling to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315865

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 4:59:58 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Makes sense. So for those who have 1-2 P's by the time clerkship hiring rolls around but also maybe "only" 1-2 class prizes (so just a bunch of H's across the board), what's the highest you think they could realistically go for? I assume competitive for 2nd/9th and most/all non-feeders but what about something like CADC? Like at what point would you say it becomes sort of a "requirement" that a s...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 2:05:07 pm   in: Legal Employment
The boutiques can be a mixed bag. Some (e.g., Selendy Gay) are litigation-only BigLaw shops and want to bill as much as possible, so they will tie junior associates up in doc review and tedious work. Others are leaner, and often, if they are not of the elite variety, will pay less but will allow juniors to do more substantive work. In terms of government, I would look at the NYS Attorney General o...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

AUSA advice  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 2:02:39 pm   in: Legal Employment
What advice would you give to an incoming litigation associate who seeks to become an AUSA in SDNY/EDNY?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315864

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: pooper   on: July 31, at 12:15:39 pm   in: Forum for Law School Students
Missed with a 3.661
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 11:26:42 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Makes sense. So for those who have 1-2 P's by the time clerkship hiring rolls around but also maybe "only" 1-2 class prizes (so just a bunch of H's across the board), what's the highest you think they could realistically go for? I assume competitive for 2nd/9th and most/all non-feeders but what about something like CADC? Like at what point would you say it becomes sort of a "requirement" that a s...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Skadden (NY) vs. Kirkland (NY) for tax?  
  by: Anon2468   on: July 31, at 10:13:32 am   in: Big Law/Private Practice Jobs
Skadden has a significantly better reputation in tax. You'll probably be doing the same kind of garbage work for the first two years at both (marking up docs), but Skadden does quite a bit of tax advisory work. I've only seen Kirkland on random PE stuff with very simple tax issues or the substantive non-drafting tax work was being outsourced to a big4.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=315846

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 7:12:56 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Who is the best judge to clerk for in SDNY?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 6:54:38 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
You are not describing the same person I am. if you actually do not know who I am referring to, you are effectively outing yourself as a law student (as a clerk would surely be aware of all of his past clerks). I also said *sometimes* significantly later. You're not describing any person. SJM has hired only five times outside the T20, only one of those hires (the one I described) could fairly be ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 5:03:17 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
You are not describing the same person I am. if you actually do not know who I am referring to, you are effectively outing yourself as a law student (as a clerk would surely be aware of all of his past clerks). I also said *sometimes* significantly later.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Substantive litigation positions for juniors  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 31, at 3:45:46 am   in: Legal Employment
I am wrapping up my first year of big law and heading off to a clerkship, so it's a good time to reflect on the beginning of my time in legal practice. There have been upsides - I really like the people I work with, I've found the internal culture of my firm to be nice and respectful, and the work/life balance has been much more manageable than the Internet had led me to believe (maybe this is jus...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315863

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 30, at 8:11:06 am   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563332 time=1753801100 user_id=45852]
Interviews are happening now!
[/quote]

Was it a one-way Hirevue interview or the usual panel interview with a group of managers?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: Let's talk 6th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 30, at 7:45:19 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Any insight or word on Hermandorfer? She posted for 26 and 27 last week so maybe come in with her 25 group
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=205435

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 29, at 3:21:40 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Offer today. Worried about reputational impact from accepting during this admin…thoughts? What reputational impact? All new AUSAs start off doing guns, drugs, and CSAM cases for a couple of years. Depending on your office, you might also do some immigration crimes and human trafficking. Do you expect to start jailing high profile Democrats and making headlines the very first day on the job? Line ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 29, at 2:24:34 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Offer today. Worried about reputational impact from accepting during this admin…thoughts?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Wild Card   on: July 29, at 8:00:02 am   in: Public Interest & Government
From reading the threads and stray posts here, I get the sense that there's not much mobility from the DC Superior Court. Like, people go into it hoping to convert to something else, and they're stuck there for 5-7 years or something. Not that it's a bad thing, if it's what you really want to do.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: Biglaw Litigation Hours & How to Adjust  
  by: nealric   on: July 29, at 5:12:32 am   in: Legal Employment
Hi all, I'm starting work as a litigation associate at one of S&C/PW/DPW in the fall. I'm no stranger to working long hours but I am curious about a few things: 1) For my morning people, what time do you go to sleep/wake up on average? And do you usually know when you'll be working late? In other words, if it's 10 and you're not expecting more emails (and you're done for the day), can you just go...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315861

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 29, at 4:58:20 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Interviews are happening now!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 29, at 3:45:41 am   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563316 time=1753650493 user_id=45852]
Referred emails were sent out but not sure what that means for writing sample requests or interviews. Good luck! I think there are a decent amount of spots to be filled!
[/quote]

The written statement was already collected from all applicants at the initial application stage this round.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: K&E Real Estate  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 28, at 9:58:28 pm   in: Legal Employment
Bump. Wondering if anyone has any updated info here? I’m in a different group in Chicago but heard there was a big exodus in the RE group again.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=312571

Re: SCOTUS Clerkship Movement?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 28, at 5:07:00 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
The judges with the most feeds this year: Thapar (6) W. Pryor (4) Rao (4) Bibas (3) Katsas (3) Srinivasan (3) Sutton (3) Chhabria (N.D. Cal.) (3) Friedrich (D.D.C.) (3) Bress (2) Hardiman (2) Harris (2) Lohier (2) Boasberg (D.D.C.) (2) Engelmayer (S.D.N.Y.) (2) Furman (S.D.N.Y.) (2) Kovner (E.D.N.Y.) (2) McFadden (D.D.C.) (2) I wonder which judges have the most over a 3-4 year spell? I would assum...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=313726

Re: The Vale of Tears (3L Job Hunting) (No advice for 0/1/2Ls)  
  by: nukemind   on: July 28, at 12:57:38 pm   in: Legal Employment
Got a post 3L Job Offer for Big Law, got the offer letter today! It was hard and I actually did an extra degree while in law school... but so worth it and am going to be doing something I am passionate about. Was way below median at a T20 1L.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=192753

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 28, at 10:37:43 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Applied in Feb, first interview in May, second and third interviews in July.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 28, at 7:34:45 am   in: Legal Employment
Why would anyone be referring to White & Case
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 28, at 4:05:46 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello, congrats on the offer, would you mind sharing what your hiring timeline was like?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 28, at 4:05:34 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello, congrats on the offer, would you mind sharing what your hiring timeline was like?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: When is it appropriate to move on?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 27, at 6:46:08 pm   in: Legal Employment
I had a do nothing gig at DOJ. It was supposed to be an interesting/prestigious office that folks on here would probably rate highly, but for whatever reason I had only a few hours of substantively challenging work a month. I waited for things to improve for about 18 months and then made a move; I wasn’t ready to functionally end my legal career in my early 30s and just drone on for a paycheck. I ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315776

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: aristotle502   on: July 27, at 4:52:09 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Ultimately I would rather have the AUSA job because of the potential upward mobility, though in terms of day to day tasks I think I prefer my current position as I work exclusively on criminal appeals, which has always been my goal and I would be sad to leave it. The reason for the timeline complexity is that my spouse has a one year clerkship in my current location and will be returning to a DC f...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 27, at 2:24:25 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Hi would you mind sharing your hiring timeline for USAO-DC? I’m curious on how long it takes. Thx
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: Scrimble   on: July 27, at 1:16:28 pm   in: Forum for Law School Students
Missed cum laude with a 3.625
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 27, at 12:58:52 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Different poster. In the time I was around Thurgood Marshall and regularly interacted with clerks there, there were two Menashi clerks who were right-wing Twitter personalities, one from a T50, one from a T20, both without honors or maybe cum laude iirc. And then he also had a clerk who got SCOTUS. Mixed bag. He also used to just tell you if you talked to him about clerk hiring that he primarily ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 27, at 11:56:51 am   in: Public Interest & Government
What job would you rather have/do? Is there a reason you anticipate reapplying to be a DC Superior Court AUSA in a year or so? If you want the AUSA gig, then it’s worth quitting the other job after a short time (although don’t quit until your background check is resolved of course) - that is, if you feel like you have to stay where you are a “respectable” amount of time and then you’d try to go to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 27, at 11:08:38 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Referred emails were sent out but not sure what that means for writing sample requests or interviews. Good luck! I think there are a decent amount of spots to be filled!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 27, at 11:08:13 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Referred emails were sent out but not sure what that means for writing sample requests or interviews. Good luck! I think there are a decent amount of spots to be filled!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: Clerks Taking Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 27, at 6:53:47 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have seen this topic come up before but I am not sure if there is a consensus--what is the right time to express flexibility in class year as a clerk applying to BL lit roles, who does not care about it, at all? Two-year clerkship. Is a cover letter too early/desperate? Would this even helpful for facilitating movement, or is it a non-factor until negotiations? Any insight/opinions are appreciat...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=146252

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Lawfully   on: July 26, at 4:13:53 am   in: Public Interest & Government
The advice is pick the one that’s going to make you happy. I don’t think there’s a wrong answer here. The USAO-DC Superior Court Division offers an amazing opportunity for those that want to pursue justice while gaining and employing trial skills. Alternatively, you must have resonated with the state appellate litigation position or you wouldn’t have applied for and taken it. Though, I can’t reall...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by:   on: July 26, at 2:54:09 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
Just to clarify — does this mean that all Latin honors have been released, or only Order of the Coif?

I'm at a 3.657 but haven’t seen any update yet.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Appellate attorneys, how much brief writing are you doing?  
  by: Crazysnackaroo   on: July 26, at 2:07:19 am   in: Legal Employment
I'm no longer really an appellate attorney, but I was. When I was, I was probs writing around 2 substantive briefs a month for appeal. I also helped out a trial team with bigger motions (like writing the congressional history of something on a motion to dismiss). I'd typically work on 2-5 of those a month. I'd also be editing other briefs too. Usually was juggling about 5 of my own projects a mont...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315860

Re: Biglaw Litigation Hours & How to Adjust  
  by: Crazysnackaroo   on: July 26, at 1:56:33 am   in: Legal Employment
Hi all, I'm starting work as a litigation associate at one of S&C/PW/DPW in the fall. I'm no stranger to working long hours but I am curious about a few things: 1) For my morning people, what time do you go to sleep/wake up on average? And do you usually know when you'll be working late? In other words, if it's 10 and you're not expecting more emails (and you're done for the day), can you just go...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315861

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: Epg12345   on: July 26, at 1:56:25 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
For future reference, I got magna/coif with a 3.82ish. No idea if that was close to the cutoff. Good luck to the future gunners.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by:   on: July 25, at 6:51:18 pm   in: Forum for Law School Students
Just to clarify — does this mean that all Latin honors have been released, or only Order of the Coif?

At a 3.657 but haven’t seen any update yet.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by:   on: July 25, at 1:06:32 pm   in: Forum for Law School Students
3.76 cum but not magna
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: zctqcjm   on: July 25, at 12:50:27 pm   in: Forum for Law School Students
I got magna/coif with a 3.82 for future reference
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 12:23:47 pm   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563301 time=1753460148 user_id=45852]
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563285 time=1753298803 user_id=45852]
That's pretty standard. I think W&C doesn't have a clawback? But they're the only ones I know of.
[/quote]

W&C = Williams? Or White & Case?
[/quote]

Williams & Connolly
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: weejus   on: July 25, at 11:22:34 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
They're out in unofficial transcripts. Didn't get magna with 3.768, did get florence allen with a 3.783 last year. Had a bad feeling given how the cutoff has trended upward, but still disappointing but oh well. This is probably the most granular data point out there for future lurkers
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 8:24:37 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have heard similar sentiments. His clerks don’t have the same qualifications as other CA2 judges and are picked for ideological reasons. His opinions tend to be ideological in nature as well. The NYC USAOs are above partisanship and don’t want political AUSAs. Almost all of the AUSAs who clerked on SCOTUS were for Roberts with a few for Sotomayor and Kavanagh. No ex Thomas clerks for instance. ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 8:21:29 am   in: Legal Employment
Has any other v10/20 firm other than Latham, Kirkland and Cravath increased their bonus? Seems like GDC, STB, PW and the others did not.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

Re: DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 8:11:25 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hi! Congratulations. Would you mind sharing your hiring timeline? I applied earlier this year as well and I am curious on how long it takes to complete the process. Thank you in advance for anything you're willing to share.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 6:15:48 am   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563285 time=1753298803 user_id=45852]
That's pretty standard. I think W&C doesn't have a clawback? But they're the only ones I know of.
[/quote]

W&C = Williams? Or White & Case?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

DC Superior Court AUSA offer after starting at State DA’s office - worth it?  
  by: aristotle502   on: July 25, at 6:00:05 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hi all! I just received an offer from the DC Superior Court to start as an AUSA in about two months. The problem is, I just started a job with a state’s attorney’s office as an appellate litigator a month ago after hearing nothing on my application for months. Now, I’m in a quandry - do I quit this job after only working there for three months because this is a great opportunity, or is this a stup...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315862

Re: SCOTUS Clerkship Movement?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 3:45:19 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I heard a rumor that the SCOTUS clerkship bonuses are now between 700 and 800 grand. Can anyone verify that? It seems like an awfully sharp jump from 500 grand a few years ago.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=313726

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 3:08:13 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Different poster. In the time I was around Thurgood Marshall and regularly interacted with clerks there, there were two Menashi clerks who were right-wing Twitter personalities, one from a T50, one from a T20, both without honors or maybe cum laude iirc. And then he also had a clerk who got SCOTUS. Mixed bag. He also used to just tell you if you talked to him about clerk hiring that he primarily c...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Biglaw Litigation Hours & How to Adjust  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 25, at 2:58:13 am   in: Legal Employment
Hi all, I'm starting work as a litigation associate at one of S&C/PW/DPW in the fall. I'm no stranger to working long hours but I am curious about a few things: 1) For my morning people, what time do you go to sleep/wake up on average? And do you usually know when you'll be working late? In other words, if it's 10 and you're not expecting more emails (and you're done for the day), can you just go ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315861

Re: SCOTUS Clerkship Movement?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 24, at 10:43:27 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
New Lat list! Not a lot that's new. A great year for Chicago, and notably great feeding performances from Pryor, Sutton, Chhabria, and Friedrich.



A lot of OT26 hiring is done, and it looks like several justices have dipped into OT27 as well.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=313726

Re: SCOTUS clerk taking questions about federal clerkships  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 24, at 9:17:50 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Obviously grades matter a great deal for securing a clerkship with any of the 9 SCOTUS justices. Equally obvious is that there are other factors that matter a lot in addition to grades -- ideology, connections, personality, professional goals, etc. I'm curious, how would people rank the justices in terms of how grade-conscious they are/how much they insist on a platinum resume in every respect? A...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=230822

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 24, at 8:24:02 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Makes sense. So for those who have 1-2 P's by the time clerkship hiring rolls around but also maybe "only" 1-2 class prizes (so just a bunch of H's across the board), what's the highest you think they could realistically go for? I assume competitive for 2nd/9th and most/all non-feeders but what about something like CADC? Like at what point would you say it becomes sort of a "requirement" that a s...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 24, at 7:33:29 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Does anyone know if Birotte in CDCA has moved? Oscar listing still open
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: Scrimble   on: July 24, at 6:25:49 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
[quote=weejus post_id=10563291 time=1753372266 user_id=264439]
[quote=Tesyakwow post_id=10563284 time=1753291438 user_id=237284]
I think with the diplomas being released the info is out but not sure. I was on the cusp of cum laude so guessing I didn't make it
[/quote]

I don't think so. My friends who were butlers/pomeroys hasn't seen anything either.
[/quote]

I agree because I don't think honors are listed on diplomas, right? I looked online and I only saw it mentioned that they're listed on transcripts.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: weejus   on: July 24, at 5:51:06 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
[quote=Tesyakwow post_id=10563284 time=1753291438 user_id=237284]
I think with the diplomas being released the info is out but not sure. I was on the cusp of cum laude so guessing I didn't make it
[/quote]

I don't think so. My friends who were butlers/pomeroys hasn't seen anything either.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 24, at 2:15:50 am   in: Public Interest & Government
How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86? It's been 1 month since the TJO and they are still investigating something on my end. I was hoping it would be quicker since I am moving from a different federal agency that requires a higher security clearance than the USAO I am joining, but I guess that doesn't matter! Thank you. I was told 6 to 10 weeks, but I'm brows...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 23, at 8:56:09 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Makes sense. So for those who have 1-2 P's by the time clerkship hiring rolls around but also maybe "only" 1-2 class prizes (so just a bunch of H's across the board), what's the highest you think they could realistically go for? I assume competitive for 2nd/9th and most/all non-feeders but what about something like CADC? Like at what point would you say it becomes sort of a "requirement" that a s...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Appellate attorneys, how much brief writing are you doing?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 23, at 5:10:28 pm   in: Legal Employment
For the appellate attorneys, I’m curious how much substantive writing you all are doing in your practice. How many briefs do you typically write in a year? What about oral arguments? And what kind of shop are you in? (private/government/etc., how many attorneys, region of country)
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315860

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 23, at 12:35:13 pm   in: Legal Employment
Is DPW still sticking to their 75/100 guns. Feels weird they would let themselves be outclassed by the other V10s given they ostensibly try to be a market leader on the comp.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

Re: Clerks Taking Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 23, at 10:36:29 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Appreciate the responses! Looking at the current clerks (who are listed on the district website under each judge for some reason) they are all from this part of the state, so it's probably like the above poster said and the judges just strongly prefer people who plan to stay in the local community. The spot I got was only open because the judge's current clerk had to leave in the middle of a two y...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=146252

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 23, at 9:26:43 am   in: Legal Employment
That's pretty standard. I think W&C doesn't have a clawback? But they're the only ones I know of.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: Tesyakwow   on: July 23, at 7:23:58 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
I think with the diplomas being released the info is out but not sure. I was on the cusp of cum laude so guessing I didn't make it
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Clerks Taking Questions  
  by: lavarman84   on: July 23, at 6:07:29 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Kinda neurotic question, but I would appreciate any insight even if it's just to say I'm overthinking things! I'm at a T50 and landed a district court clerkship in a flyover district. I feel very fortunate b/c my school only sends ~5 students to federal clerkships each year (district isn't in the same state as my school), but I'm getting increasingly concerned because I can't seem to find any for...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=146252

Re: LEGAL SALARY DATAPOINTS  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 23, at 12:17:43 am   in: Legal Employment
- C/O 2016 - Special Sits desk at a bank - Base: 250k - Bonus: 450k (20% deferred stock) - 401k: 5% 1:1 match - Hours: 7-6, go out ~2 nights a week with clients til 8/9ish This is sweet. Can you give a bit of your background/how you got this type of role/give a sense for how accessible it is? Almost every big bank has ~1-3 people from legal backgrounds in this seat with the most common entry poin...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=258538

Re: PI-Interested Judges?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 22, at 3:40:58 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
[/i] This seems like very strange advice coming from a clerkship office. I agree, OP's grades are in roughly the top 15% of the class. To be honest, outside of 5-6 judges like Srinivasan and Boasberg, there shouldn't be any judge that is completely out of reach due to grades, and for most judges those grades should put the OP in a pretty comfortable position. Assuming the OP has strong rec letter...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315761

Re: Clerks Taking Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 22, at 10:19:29 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Kinda neurotic question, but I would appreciate any insight even if it's just to say I'm overthinking things! I'm at a T50 and landed a district court clerkship in a flyover district. I feel very fortunate b/c my school only sends ~5 students to federal clerkships each year (district isn't in the same state as my school), but I'm getting increasingly concerned because I can't seem to find any for...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=146252

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 22, at 8:19:06 am   in: Legal Employment
What is the typical clawback for this? A firm gave me an $125k offer for a one-year flyover district court clerkship but said there is a 2-year clawback. Is this something that is negotiable? I don't want to ask because it might imply that I am going to leave in a year (I am lol), but I am curious if this is something folks have successfully negotiated.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

Re: Clerks Taking Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 21, at 7:08:00 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Kinda neurotic question, but I would appreciate any insight even if it's just to say I'm overthinking things! I'm at a T50 and landed a district court clerkship in a flyover district. I feel very fortunate b/c my school only sends ~5 students to federal clerkships each year (district isn't in the same state as my school), but I'm getting increasingly concerned because I can't seem to find any form...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=146252

Re: LEGAL SALARY DATAPOINTS  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 21, at 4:27:53 pm   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563274 time=1753008309 user_id=45852]
- C/O 2016

- Special Sits desk at a bank

- Base: 250k

- Bonus: 450k (20% deferred stock)

- 401k: 5% 1:1 match

- Hours: 7-6, go out ~2 nights a week with clients til 8/9ish
[/quote]

This is sweet. Can you give a bit of your background/how you got this type of role/give a sense for how accessible it is?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=258538

Re: Clerkship Bonus Increase  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 21, at 9:11:37 am   in: Legal Employment
Apparently Latham matched Cravath. Not sure what this means for the boutiques, but assume the rest of biglaw matches.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315055

Re: LEGAL SALARY DATAPOINTS  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 20, at 12:45:09 am   in: Legal Employment
- C/O 2016

- Special Sits desk at a bank

- Base: 250k

- Bonus: 450k (20% deferred stock)

- 401k: 5% 1:1 match

- Hours: 7-6, go out ~2 nights a week with clients til 8/9ish
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=258538

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: Epg12345   on: July 18, at 10:58:31 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
Has anyone heard anything?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 18, at 10:04:51 am   in: Public Interest & Government
How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86? It's been 1 month since the TJO and they are still investigating something on my end. I was hoping it would be quicker since I am moving from a different federal agency that requires a higher security clearance than the USAO I am joining, but I guess that doesn't matter! Thank you. I was told 6 to 10 weeks, but I'm brows...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 18, at 8:46:24 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Anyone have updates yet? I have not heard anything, although a current examiner told me they are aiming to move very quickly through this hiring cycle. Trying to stay optimistic.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 18, at 4:57:23 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Anyone heard anything from USAO-DC?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: hopeatsunrise   on: July 18, at 4:13:06 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
Just called the Office of Academic Services. They said the person who does the GPA calculations is currently out of office, so latin honors won't be posted until at least next week.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 17, at 1:55:15 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Anyone heard anything from EDVA?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 17, at 11:31:11 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Makes sense. So for those who have 1-2 P's by the time clerkship hiring rolls around but also maybe "only" 1-2 class prizes (so just a bunch of H's across the board), what's the highest you think they could realistically go for? I assume competitive for 2nd/9th and most/all non-feeders but what about something like CADC? Like at what point would you say it becomes sort of a "requirement" that a s...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 17, at 11:19:56 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Careful taking advice from keyboard jockeys trading in rumors, not facts. Several recent SJM clerks were #1 in their class and he's the top feeder judge on CA2 (four clerks in five years) for a reason. Good luck getting an SJM clerkship without strong qualifications. The only thing "ideological" here is Anonymous User's ludicrous suggestion that SDNY and EDNY won't hire Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, or...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Trump Judicial Nominees?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 17, at 10:42:38 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Mascott for a Delaware slot on CA3—it seems Trump is disregarding state connections for some appellate seats in states with two Democratic senators, which will make his nominees much more difficult to predict. Neither Mascott nor Bove are really connected to the states they were nominated for.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315596

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: pizzacat   on: July 17, at 9:03:57 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Makes sense. So for those who have 1-2 P's by the time clerkship hiring rolls around but also maybe "only" 1-2 class prizes (so just a bunch of H's across the board), what's the highest you think they could realistically go for? I assume competitive for 2nd/9th and most/all non-feeders but what about something like CADC? Like at what point would you say it becomes sort of a "requirement" that a st...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 17, at 8:23:45 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have heard similar sentiments. His clerks don’t have the same qualifications as other CA2 judges and are picked for ideological reasons. His opinions tend to be ideological in nature as well. The NYC USAOs are above partisanship and don’t want political AUSAs. Almost all of the AUSAs who clerked on SCOTUS were for Roberts with a few for Sotomayor and Kavanagh. No ex Thomas clerks for instance. ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Post-clerkship recruiting timeline?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 17, at 8:03:19 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
What are the standard times of year for big law recruiting of clerks? I’m a spring cycle district court clerk (ending in late March).



What should I expect in terms of the timeframe for when firms will be open to hiring clerks for an April or May start date?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315857

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 17, at 12:32:01 am   in: Public Interest & Government
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563256 time=1752719501 user_id=45852]
How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86?
[/quote]
It's been 1 month since the TJO and they are still investigating something on my end. I was hoping it would be quicker since I am moving from a different federal agency that requires a higher security clearance than the USAO I am joining, but I guess that doesn't matter!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Judges Who Hire 1Ls?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 7:41:09 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Sutton somewhat regularly hires 1Ls, often with only one set of grades, from Stanford. Not sure if he does the same for students from other schools
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315795

Re: Elite plaintiff-side boutiques paying close/at biglaw market rate  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 4:59:53 pm   in: Legal Employment
.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315848

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 4:31:41 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 3:20:53 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Any insight on what percentage of H's from Y/S one would need to be competitive for a feeder like Fletcher? Everything in this thread says top 5% but no idea how that actually translates to H's / prizes. On a side note, if one had 100% H's / a singular P but no class prizes, are they competitive? Or are prizes basically a requisite to rank that high in the first place? It varies widely. For Fletc...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 2:22:57 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
For the offices where you had multiple rounds, could you explain, broadly, how the first rounds and second rounds differed? Not the person you were asking, but fwiw, it’s pretty standard that you do an initial round, which is a panel interview with various folks in management/line AUSAs (often by video), and then a second round, in person, with the US Attorney. Basically, you can’t get hired with...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 1:49:51 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have heard similar sentiments. His clerks don’t have the same qualifications as other CA2 judges and are picked for ideological reasons. His opinions tend to be ideological in nature as well. The NYC USAOs are above partisanship and don’t want political AUSAs. Almost all of the AUSAs who clerked on SCOTUS were for Roberts with a few for Sotomayor and Kavanagh. No ex Thomas clerks for instance. ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 1:49:42 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have heard similar sentiments. His clerks don’t have the same qualifications as other CA2 judges and are picked for ideological reasons. His opinions tend to be ideological in nature as well. The NYC USAOs are above partisanship and don’t want political AUSAs. Almost all of the AUSAs who clerked on SCOTUS were for Roberts with a few for Sotomayor and Kavanagh. No ex Thomas clerks for instance. ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Magistrate Clerkship Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 12:16:49 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
It's probably a very cool clerkship depending on what SNDY/EDNY USMJs get to do--varies heavily by district. But honestly, top 1% at GW/GM/Fordham or wherever I would keep shooting my shot with DJs (nationwide, including flyover) for another ~2 years. Work experience will be a big plus and probably push you over the top somewhere. The judges who hire early are the judges least likely to hire outsi...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315854

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 11:51:28 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello anyone with an offer/position willing to share their hiring timeline? Just curious applicant.... Sure. I had 3 interviews (and something tells me my timelines are highly unusual). USAO #1 “Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 2 weeks. 1st round of interviews -> rejection: next day. USAO #2 “Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 5 weeks. 1...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 11:36:49 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Any movement at USAO-DC in the last month?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 10:39:28 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have heard similar sentiments. His clerks don’t have the same qualifications as other CA2 judges and are picked for ideological reasons. His opinions tend to be ideological in nature as well. The NYC USAOs are above partisanship and don’t want political AUSAs. Almost all of the AUSAs who clerked on SCOTUS were for Roberts with a few for Sotomayor and Kavanagh. No ex Thomas clerks for instance. ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 9:06:31 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello anyone with an offer/position willing to share their hiring timeline? Just curious applicant.... Sure. I had 3 interviews (and something tells me my timelines are highly unusual). USAO #1 “Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 2 weeks. 1st round of interviews -> rejection: next day. USAO #2 “Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 5 weeks. 1...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Stay working in Big 4 Comp & Benefits or do Tax LLM NYU?  
  by: nealric   on: July 16, at 9:06:26 am   in: Legal Employment
Newcomer non-traditional lawyer reviving this thread with some related questions. I am an older attorney who was forced out of the Federal government. My area of practice can best be described as typical Federal agency general administrative law, having nothing to do with tax. Job prospects in the private sector are especially bad for someone like me who wants to stay in or near the DC area. For ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=314968

Re: Magistrate Clerkship Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 8:58:49 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I clerked for two USMJs. The clerkship itself is truly excellent, a once in a lifetime experience. That said, they're definitely undervalued IF you lack biglaw experience. In other words, if you have two/three years of V50 biglaw lit experience and want to lateral to a V10 for whatever reason, then, yes. Otherwise, you'll only be a strong candidate for bigfed. You're absolutely right that high gra...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315854

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: pizzacat   on: July 16, at 7:39:31 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Any insight on what percentage of H's from Y/S one would need to be competitive for a feeder like Fletcher? Everything in this thread says top 5% but no idea how that actually translates to H's / prizes. On a side note, if one had 100% H's / a singular P but no class prizes, are they competitive? Or are prizes basically a requisite to rank that high in the first place? It varies widely. For Fletc...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Which partners at your firms are notoriously terrible to work for?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 5:50:51 am   in: Legal Employment
Scott Rolnik, who was formerly at Ropes and now at Kirkland. Will keep you in his office or on the phone all night -- think 8pm to 6am -- while he reviews a draft you sent him three weeks ago. Will go back and forth between berating you and then, when he remembers he needs you, praising you. Overall toxic and abusive.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=309248

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 5:36:53 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Any insight on what percentage of H's from Y/S one would need to be competitive for a feeder like Fletcher? Everything in this thread says top 5% but no idea how that actually translates to H's / prizes. On a side note, if one had 100% H's / a singular P but no class prizes, are they competitive? Or are prizes basically a requisite to rank that high in the first place? It varies widely. For Fletc...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Magistrate Clerkship Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 5:01:53 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Magistrates in SDNY and EDNY are highly respected attorneys who usually have some pretty interesting work experience. That's not always true about other districts (although most are quite qualified). I'm not sure about SDNY/EDNY consent procedures - others should comment on the substance of the work you'd be doing in those districts - but the connections you'd make, including potentially parlaying...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315854

Re: Magistrate Clerkship Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 16, at 3:23:11 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Is there any reason why you aren’t applying outside of the northeast? Your application would get traction with my flyover judge FWIW. Idk about “prestige” in NY, but an MJ clerkship is very useful for a litigator. And I’ve seen people move from an MJ clerkship to a district court in what I consider a fancy district (like NDCA/NDIL) and even a circuit, although circuit is rarer. If you’re dead set ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315854

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 15, at 1:17:05 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Any insight on what percentage of H's from Y/S one would need to be competitive for a feeder like Fletcher? Everything in this thread says top 5% but no idea how that actually translates to H's / prizes. On a side note, if one had 100% H's / a singular P but no class prizes, are they competitive? Or are prizes basically a requisite to rank that high in the first place?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Magistrate Clerkship Questions  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 15, at 12:20:24 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I'm at/near the top 1% of my class at a T35 law school and currently summering at a V20 firm in NYC. I'm interested in going into litigation, especially enforcement work, with the hope of bouncing between that role and government. I really want to clerk, ideally at the district and circuit levels, but I haven't gotten many bites despite sending out nearly 150 applications. Part of it, I imagine, i...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315854

Re: Elite plaintiff-side boutiques paying close/at biglaw market rate  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 15, at 11:59:34 am   in: Legal Employment
BSF pays market plus above market bonuses. They’re about 50/50 P/D side though
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315848

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 15, at 5:49:19 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello anyone with an offer/position willing to share their hiring timeline? Just curious applicant.... Sure. I had 3 interviews (and something tells me my timelines are highly unusual). USAO #1 “Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 2 weeks. 1st round of interviews -> rejection: next day. USAO #2 “Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 5 weeks. 1...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: Summer Associate Background Check  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 15, at 3:59:30 am   in: Legal Employment
I received a notification from my undergrad asking if it was ok for them to verify my participation in a program to the background check company. This was one line on my resume and I was surprised they had actually inquired about it. Was for a V5. If they called your school to verify rather than a student org it must have been some sort of academic honor or elective society, which seems reasonabl...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=310810

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: weejus   on: July 15, at 2:50:12 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
crazy how long the schools taking. gpa dropped slightly since 2L so not sure if im making the magna/coif cut this year.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 14, at 2:01:06 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Submitted my application on June 15, waiting on their reply. Due to the extended deadline for application, I think the minimum qualification determination would take another week. We should be hearing from them about whether we meet the minimum qualifications by end of next week.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 14, at 11:17:17 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello anyone with an offer/position willing to share their hiring timeline? Just curious applicant....
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: AUSA chances  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 14, at 11:15:35 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello anyone with an offer willing to share their timeline? Just curious applicant....
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315845

Re: AUSA chances  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 14, at 11:15:29 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello anyone with an offer willing to share their timeline? Just curious applicant....
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315845

Re: Background Checks  
  by: nealric   on: July 14, at 5:54:54 am   in: Legal Employment
I wouldn't stress unless you are pulling a George Santos. This is Biglaw- not the CIA. They will probably verify your employment history and transcripts/educational history (GPA, Latin honors), but I very highly doubt they are going to reach out to the former president of the glee club and verify that you sang tenor. These sorts of things are typically outsourced to background check companies who ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315853

Background Checks  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 13, at 6:55:43 pm   in: Legal Employment
Do some biglaw background checks verify resumes line-by-line? Ex. all university honors/awards, university clubs, work experience descriptions, etc. I have heard some top firms are incredibly thorough in this way.



Asking because I am finding things to stress over and I want to know who I need to line up to verify all these things.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315853

Re: Elite plaintiff-side boutiques paying close/at biglaw market rate  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 13, at 10:59:13 am   in: Legal Employment
https://leftsideofthev.substack.com/p/pay-transparency-comes-to-plaintiffs
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315848

Re: SCOTUS clerk taking questions about federal clerkships  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 13, at 7:11:23 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Obviously grades matter a great deal for securing a clerkship with any of the 9 SCOTUS justices. Equally obvious is that there are other factors that matter a lot in addition to grades -- ideology, connections, personality, professional goals, etc. I'm curious, how would people rank the justices in terms of how grade-conscious they are/how much they insist on a platinum resume in every respect? A...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=230822

Re: Any word on Iowa law firm salary increases?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 12, at 1:20:19 pm   in: Legal Employment
Belin raised to $175k and is raising to $200k on January 1. That would reestablish its salary advantage over the Minneapolis firms and get reasonably close to market biglaw (where it used to be) for the first time in quite a while. Presumably it’s trying to reestablish itself as the go-to Iowa firm for T14 grads—it hasn’t landed one since 2020 and not unrelatedly it has abandoned its longstanding ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=265630

Re: SDNY odds  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 12, at 5:08:49 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
That order just kept getting weirder and weirder in terms of form
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=314232

Re: AUSA/USAO hiring  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 11, at 3:12:55 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
My understanding is that every office requires a waiver. The background check could take a year or more, but the initial review for a waiver could take a matter of months or even weeks. Did they give you a reason for the denial? Or do you have a sense of what it might be? For what it’s worth, every office (as far as I’m aware) requires AUSAs to be top secret eligible, even if few actually have TS...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=271001

Re: SDNY odds  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 11, at 2:59:13 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Good odds, but the only real way to get it right out of law school is with a new Biden appointee. With Fed Soc the obvious fits would be Castel, Preska, Vyskocil, or Karas (Cronan would be perfect for you, but he’s very picky on grades). You should also definitely apply to EDNY, and probably D.Conn. and DNJ; e.g. for USAO connections, Farbiarz on DNJ is probably better than many actual SDNY judge...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=314232

Re: When is it appropriate to move on?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 11, at 10:08:16 am   in: Legal Employment
Out of curiosity, might you be able to spend time doing legal research for a law review article? That keeps your legal mind moving and potentially puts you out there for other jobs if you can get it published. It's a great signal that you have capacity for more if you can prove it by getting published (and that your writing is good).
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315776

Re: Compensation at LA Appellate Boutiques  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 11, at 7:28:11 am   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563038 time=1750191367 user_id=45852]
I’d like to bump this again, curious about Horvitz
[/quote]

From what I’ve heard, a few years ago they were offering around $200k for a mid level
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=189835

Re: When is it appropriate to move on?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 11, at 4:58:57 am   in: Legal Employment
OP here.

I like nealric's advice. Becoming dependent on this org would be a bad idea.



To the most recent poster, I don't know if these admin hearings are all there is, or if I'll get a chance to move on to better things. It'll be worth asking around.

In the meantime I'll do soft searches. 2-3 years here in the meantime sounds reasonable.



Thank you all for sharing!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315776

.  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 11, at 4:25:26 am   in: Legal Employment
.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315851

Re: Stay working in Big 4 Comp & Benefits or do Tax LLM NYU?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 10, at 3:31:52 pm   in: Legal Employment
Newcomer non-traditional lawyer reviving this thread with some related questions. I am an older attorney who was forced out of the Federal government. My area of practice can best be described as typical Federal agency general administrative law, having nothing to do with tax. Job prospects in the private sector are especially bad for someone like me who wants to stay in or near the DC area. For o...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=314968

Re: Will my years in public interest count towards my firm class year?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 10, at 3:21:10 pm   in: Legal Employment
If I had to guess I think they are going to make you a third year.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315847

Re: Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO  
  by: aline   on: July 10, at 2:40:01 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Hello out there. Did anyone apply this cycle and is currently waiting on movement of their application?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=223986

Re: SDNY odds  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 10, at 10:57:27 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Good odds, but the only real way to get it right out of law school is with a new Biden appointee. With Fed Soc the obvious fits would be Castel, Preska, Vyskocil, or Karas (Cronan would be perfect for you, but he’s very picky on grades). You should also definitely apply to EDNY, and probably D.Conn. and DNJ; e.g. for USAO connections, Farbiarz on DNJ is probably better than many actual SDNY judge...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=314232

Re: SDNY odds  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 10, at 9:49:55 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Good odds, but the only real way to get it right out of law school is with a new Biden appointee. With Fed Soc the obvious fits would be Castel, Preska, Vyskocil, or Karas (Cronan would be perfect for you, but he’s very picky on grades). You should also definitely apply to EDNY, and probably D.Conn. and DNJ; e.g. for USAO connections, Farbiarz on DNJ is probably better than many actual SDNY judge...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=314232

Re: Will my years in public interest count towards my firm class year?  
  by: Amerision   on: July 10, at 8:44:24 am   in: Legal Employment
Hey all, Haven't posted here in a long time. Graduated from YLS, spent two years at a public interest nonprofit on a fellowship, then clerked (federal app., going into fed. dist.). Curious if anyone has any comparable experience going from this kind of background into biglaw/boutique lit firm and whether the firm requested you take a "haircut" of a class year or something. Is the best advice just...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315847

Re: SCOTUS clerk taking questions about federal clerkships  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 10, at 6:59:07 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Obviously grades matter a great deal for securing a clerkship with any of the 9 SCOTUS justices. Equally obvious is that there are other factors that matter a lot in addition to grades -- ideology, connections, personality, professional goals, etc. I'm curious, how would people rank the justices in terms of how grade-conscious they are/how much they insist on a platinum resume in every respect? A...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=230822

Re: Harvard Law Review and BSA  
  by: anonlawclerk   on: July 10, at 1:39:01 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
Any 2025 news on HLR?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=123792

v&e vs kirkland (texas)?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 9, at 7:01:29 pm   in: Big Law/Private Practice Jobs
Would appreciate any insights on which is a better firm to start at.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=315850

Re: Trump Judicial Nominees?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 9, at 11:37:26 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Does anyone have any insights into how the new Trump COA nominees would be as bosses? Dunlap in particular is interesting, as is Tung. Hermandorfer too, though I've heard good things about her already. And I know Josh Divine in Missouri is supposed to be the real deal
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315596

Re: SCOTUS clerk taking questions about federal clerkships  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 9, at 11:34:23 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Obviously grades matter a great deal for securing a clerkship with any of the 9 SCOTUS justices. Equally obvious is that there are other factors that matter a lot in addition to grades -- ideology, connections, personality, professional goals, etc. I'm curious, how would people rank the justices in terms of how grade-conscious they are/how much they insist on a platinum resume in every respect? An...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=230822

Re: Let's talk 11th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 9, at 8:02:51 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Anyone have any insight on Judge Lenard in SDFL? She's been senior status for 8 years now but does she keep up a mostly full case load?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=205160

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: hopeatsunrise   on: July 9, at 6:47:03 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
[quote=Tesyakwow post_id=10563193 time=1751893773 user_id=237284]
Can someone post when the honors drop
[/quote]
Not posted for me yet. I should be getting cum laude (3.702).
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 9, at 5:55:26 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563195 time=1751935189 user_id=45852]
Has Bianco hired?
[/quote]

Only remaining spots are for 2028
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Application list on Oscar  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 8, at 7:45:24 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I'm fairly certain that just means that the judge deleted the posting altogether, rather than marking it as "filled." I could be wrong.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315849

Application list on Oscar  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 8, at 6:41:13 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Is there a way for judges to take your application off the application list on Oscar? I noticed that some of the judges I applied to I am no longer able to see my application. But other judges the application shows up on the application list but it may be “filled” or “expired.” Can judges also remove your app?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315849

Re: Let's talk 11th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 8, at 5:42:44 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Has Judge Kidd wrapped for 2026?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=205160

Re: Let's talk 11th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 8, at 5:42:28 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Has Judge Kidd wrapped for 2026?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=205160

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 7, at 2:39:49 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Has Bianco hired?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: 2025 Clerkship Hiring Movement  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 7, at 9:21:38 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Are judges still interviewing/ haven’t made decisions yet? Are open spots on Oscar still fair game?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315823

Re: NYU Latin Honors  
  by: Tesyakwow   on: July 7, at 3:09:33 am   in: Forum for Law School Students
Can someone post when the honors drop
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=301962

Re: AUSA chances  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 7, at 2:32:17 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Yeah, OP, you’ll be fine. You have all the stellar qualifications USAOs want, you have a good reason for having gone to the private sector, and you’re familiar with DOJ culture already (different USAOs will have different cultures from each other and from Main Justice, but experience working for the Feds always transfers). And the poster above is right that DOJ is currently hiring. Like many parts...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315845

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 6, at 6:04:18 pm   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Wild Card" post_id=10563186 time=1751732564 user_id=121970]
Circuit is perfect. You'll be fine. Also helps that all your clerkships are different. Nobody's going to give you a hard time about it.



My advice still stands, though. You need to apply broadly.
[/quote]

"No one" might be a bit aggressive. Could totally see some older hiring partners in nitty-gritty lit practices doing exactly that. No harm in applying broadly though.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Elite plaintiff-side boutiques paying close/at biglaw market rate  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 6, at 8:15:07 am   in: Legal Employment
Hi everyone, does anyone have a current list of plaintiff-side lit boutiques in NYC that pay at/near big law market rate? Even down to 25% less total comp would be okay. (It’s okay if the base pay is much lower, I’m more focused on all-in comp averaged over a 2-3 year horizon) I would be coming from big law + a DC/NYC district court clerkship. Pursuing plaintiff-side boutiques feels like such an o...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315848

Re: Wachtell (NYC) vs Munger (LA) vs Covington (DC) vs WilmerHale (DC)  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 6, at 4:59:45 am   in: Legal Employment
1. One point about the DC scene I don't see mentioned. While Covington is a very prestigious DC firm, and is the dream firm of many who want to do the revolving door, Wachtell people regularly go into regulatory/government work. And this is AFTER bagging the extra compensation. 2. I think Wachtell is probably the most "elite" overall but Munger has to be close, within the lit world, right? 3. Mung...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315811

Re: Boies Schiller or Davis Polk (NY)?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 6, at 4:51:41 am   in: Legal Employment
This exact move has been done before, in at least one instance, by the current U.S. Senator from New York. She either made partner at DPW and then switched to BSF, or was made partner when she switched to BSF (or soon after switching). The New York Times wrote a piece on it if you're curious. "You almost assuredly would not see a courtroom there for several years." Depends on what you mean by seei...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315809

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Wild Card   on: July 5, at 6:22:44 am   in: Legal Employment
Circuit is perfect. You'll be fine. Also helps that all your clerkships are different. Nobody's going to give you a hard time about it.



My advice still stands, though. You need to apply broadly.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Wild Card   on: July 5, at 6:19:08 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
The prestige comes from the quality of the judges, the docket, the clerks, and the location. It's not arbitrary.



Ultimately, your 9th Cir. clerkship outclasses any district court clerkship, so you don't have to worry about that.



But this is why I think native New Yorkers should be given a bump in the process. IDK why these precious opportunities are going to rando out-of-staters.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Re: Which partners at your firms are notoriously terrible to work for?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 4, at 1:43:39 pm   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10562413 time=1743876118 user_id=45852]
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10559538 time=1720756070 user_id=45852]
Anyone have bad experiences with partners in Paul Hastings white collar?
[/quote]

For what it's worth I've heard Brad Bondi is horrible to work with, a tyrant, as well as being insanely pro-MAGA.
[/quote]

I'm legit surprised by the lack of Brad Bondi stories on TLS. He definitely fits the title of this thread.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=309248

Re: Uni-Options/Chance  
  by: Crazysnackaroo   on: July 4, at 2:03:06 am   in: What are my chances?
Non-Traditional (10 years+ out of School) 2.3 UG-GPA (OUCH!) 171 LSAT Military Officer of 8 years Networking and IT Focus (Specializing in Policy/Governance) TS Clearance Character & Fitness is Clean Non-Binary/Trans Where could I even go? Could I swing a T50? Apply to WashU, you might be able to apply redacted GPA (they used to do that, not sure if they still do). But apply widely. You'll get a ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=315844

Re: Will my years in public interest count towards my firm class year?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 3, at 6:59:21 am   in: Legal Employment
Hey all, Haven't posted here in a long time. Graduated from YLS, spent two years at a public interest nonprofit on a fellowship, then clerked (federal app., going into fed. dist.). Curious if anyone has any comparable experience going from this kind of background into biglaw/boutique lit firm and whether the firm requested you take a "haircut" of a class year or something. Is the best advice just...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315847

Re: Will my years in public interest count towards my firm class year?  
  by: nealric   on: July 3, at 3:38:58 am   in: Legal Employment
I'd be somewhat surprised if they bring you in as a 4th/5th year with no biglaw experience. At the same time, I don't think they'd make you a first year either. It's going to be an individual point of negotiation. It may also depend on what you did in PI and whether that experience is comparable to the type of litigation biglaw does. I'd just apply to the firms you want and then negotiate at offer...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315847

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 3, at 2:27:10 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Agree with the other posters. Your career and personal goals mean you want to be in CA and the CA clerkship is a better fit for that. What would even be the point of SDNY? You make your partner move to NY (where they might not even be able to find a job) all just so when you end back in CA you have a marginally (and I mean marginally) better credential? On top of that, if you spend 2-4 years in N...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 6:54:59 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have heard similar sentiments. His clerks don’t have the same qualifications as other CA2 judges and are picked for ideological reasons. His opinions tend to be ideological in nature as well. The NYC USAOs are above partisanship and don’t want political AUSAs. Almost all of the AUSAs who clerked on SCOTUS were for Roberts with a few for Sotomayor and Kavanagh. No ex Thomas clerks for instance. ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Let's Talk 1st Circuit  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 1:33:17 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
https://www.law360.com/articles/2360767



Interesting how the nominee, Josh Dunlap, is very similar on paper to Judge Kayatta: both federal appellate clerks who spent their entire career at Pierce Atwood.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206104

Re: Let's Talk 9th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 1:26:25 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
thoughts on new nominee?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=226423

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 11:12:40 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Thank you everyone. This was all very helpful. I truly appreciate you taking to time to share your thoughts—it means a lot. I'll go ahead and close this thread now.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Will my years in public interest count towards my firm class year?  
  by: Amerision   on: July 2, at 10:40:51 am   in: Legal Employment
Hey all, Haven't posted here in a long time. Graduated from YLS, spent two years at a public interest nonprofit on a fellowship, then clerked (federal app., going into fed. dist.). Curious if anyone has any comparable experience going from this kind of background into biglaw/boutique lit firm and whether the firm requested you take a "haircut" of a class year or something. Is the best advice just ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315847

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 9:09:42 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Agree with the other posters. Your career and personal goals mean you want to be in CA and the CA clerkship is a better fit for that. What would even be the point of SDNY? You make your partner move to NY (where they might not even be able to find a job) all just so when you end back in CA you have a marginally (and I mean marginally) better credential? On top of that, if you spend 2-4 years in N...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 5:48:00 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Agree with the other posters. Your career and personal goals mean you want to be in CA and the CA clerkship is a better fit for that. What would even be the point of SDNY? You make your partner move to NY (where they might not even be able to find a job) all just so when you end back in CA you have a marginally (and I mean marginally) better credential? On top of that, if you spend 2-4 years in N...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Re: Let's talk 6th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 5:30:01 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Stranch hired 3/4 clerks for '26. Has the short list for the 4th already
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=205435

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 5:03:06 am   in: Legal Employment
This will depends on the school you went to, your grades, and what types of clerkships you did. All of that is much more important than whether you did 2 or 3 clerkships. Clerkships were Flyover Magistrate/Major Metro D.Ct/Fed. COA. School was lower T14 and graduated MCL. Not sure how much that changes things. Would you consider taking a haircut on your year group? A firm might be more willing to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 2, at 3:39:33 am   in: Legal Employment
This will depends on the school you went to, your grades, and what types of clerkships you did. All of that is much more important than whether you did 2 or 3 clerkships. Clerkships were Flyover Magistrate/Major Metro D.Ct/Fed. COA. School was lower T14 and graduated MCL. Not sure how much that changes things. Would you consider taking a haircut on your year group? A firm might be more willing to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Morgan & Morgan to Opening Solo?  
  by: yankees12345!   on: July 2, at 1:22:49 am   in: Legal Employment
Seems like a pretty solid plan to me.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315810

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 1, at 7:49:20 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Agree with the other posters. Your career and personal goals mean you want to be in CA and the CA clerkship is a better fit for that. What would even be the point of SDNY? You make your partner move to NY (where they might not even be able to find a job) all just so when you end back in CA you have a marginally (and I mean marginally) better credential? On top of that, if you spend 2-4 years in NY...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: July 1, at 5:21:03 am   in: Legal Employment
This is going to be a major red flag for firms. Signals you'd rather not be in private practice, doesn't add much to your skillset after the first 1-2 clerkships and you'd be a midlevel with barely any experience. Hiring partners are going to see this as indecisive at best. This is not a "major" red flag lol. Major red flag is like a big gap in your resume or failing a background check. It comes ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Compensation at LA Appellate Boutiques  
  by: ambrau90   on: July 1, at 4:19:35 am   in: Legal Employment
There are a handful of associates salaries on Indeed and Glassdoor that say $140k-246k. No idea how accurate or recent that is.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=189835

Re: Let's Talk 7th Circuit!  
  by: gaston5535   on: July 1, at 2:01:54 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10562350 time=1743029655 user_id=45852]
Sykes is taking senior status effective 10/1.

Have any clerks on the 7th Circuit heard if Easterbrook will take senior status this year?
[/quote]
Frank will die an active judge.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206075

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 30, at 12:42:47 pm   in: Legal Employment
This is going to be a major red flag for firms. Signals you'd rather not be in private practice, doesn't add much to your skillset after the first 1-2 clerkships and you'd be a midlevel with barely any experience. Hiring partners are going to see this as indecisive at best. This is not a "major" red flag lol. Major red flag is like a big gap in your resume or failing a background check. It comes ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 30, at 12:40:12 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
The idea that 9CA/CDCA is somehow creating a difference in your career compared to 9CA/SDNY is a little ridiculous to feel FOMO unless you desperately want to be an SDNY AUSA or something.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Re: Military Law  
  by: Patrick Bateman   on: June 30, at 12:24:09 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
Anyone have any experience with applying for JAG without a lot or any public service experience or extracurriculars? Curious to know how competitive the application process is in general. Also, does anyone know if there is any difference between the application cycles? You aren't going to get feedback with questions this broad. We've got posts going back to the aughts on what makes an application...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=31543

Re: Which partners at your firms are notoriously terrible to work for?  
  by: eleg   on: June 30, at 12:13:46 pm   in: Legal Employment
Any names to watch out for at Freshfields? David Livshiz recently made partner but he has had a terrible reputation for a while now. He's a condescending control freak, especially if you are a woman, but he always acts under the guise of mentorship so often people don't realize the extent of his awfulness until they're fully integrated into his team(s). In corporate, Mena Kaplan has a terrible re...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=309248

Re: AUSA chances  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 30, at 10:31:46 am   in: Public Interest & Government
I think your resume would still read well even if you left DOJ, and I think your explanation would convince anyone who is still skeptical. Your only obstacle is finding a vacancy. It’s not exactly easy to get hired right now as an AUSA on account of the hiring freeze. And I don’t think there will be any reprieve from that anytime soon. DOJ is hiring around the country. There are, like, 50 vacanci...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315845

Re: Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Amerision   on: June 30, at 10:14:02 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
These decisions are always going to be intensely personal, and there's a good chance that no matter what decision you make, there will always be a bit of FOMO. You'll always wonder what the clerkship could have been, or what it could have provided. If you ended up in New York, and your partner broke up with you, you might wonder if that SDNY clerkship was really worth it. At the end of the day, yo...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Skadden (NY) vs. Kirkland (NY) for tax?  
  by: StamoSlaw   on: June 29, at 4:56:58 pm   in: Big Law/Private Practice Jobs
Thoughts on these two firms? Skadden is higher ranked on vault for tax, but I'm wondering to what extent that's actually meaningful, and I vibed better with the KE people for sure. I know the conventional wisdom is to just choose based on whether you'd rather be working on a lot of public M&A or PE/restructuring, but I'm not sure I'm even in a position, having just finished 1L, to have any idea wh...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=315846

Re: AUSA chances  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 29, at 1:57:13 pm   in: Public Interest & Government
I think your resume would still read well even if you left DOJ, and I think your explanation would convince anyone who is still skeptical. Your only obstacle is finding a vacancy. It’s not exactly easy to get hired right now as an AUSA on account of the hiring freeze. And I don’t think there will be any reprieve from that anytime soon.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315845

AUSA chances  
  by: kzsky08   on: June 29, at 11:11:47 am   in: Public Interest & Government
Hi all - can people who would know give me some insight as to my chances for AUSA positions? I graduated from a T-6, clerked on a circuit court, and have 3-5 years of experience. After clerking, I joined the DOJ through the Honors program, in a main justice component doing criminal work. My plan was to try that for a couple years and then decide if I wanted to stay there or apply for ausa position...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=315845

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 29, at 11:00:17 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
I have heard similar sentiments. His clerks don’t have the same qualifications as other CA2 judges and are picked for ideological reasons. His opinions tend to be ideological in nature as well. The NYC USAOs are above partisanship and don’t want political AUSAs. Almost all of the AUSAs who clerked on SCOTUS were for Roberts with a few for Sotomayor and Kavanagh. No ex Thomas clerks for instance. ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 29, at 8:25:06 am   in: Legal Employment
This will depends on the school you went to, your grades, and what types of clerkships you did. All of that is much more important than whether you did 2 or 3 clerkships. Clerkships were Flyover Magistrate/Major Metro D.Ct/Fed. COA. School was lower T14 and graduated MCL. Not sure how much that changes things. Would you consider taking a haircut on your year group? A firm might be more willing to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 29, at 6:50:13 am   in: Legal Employment
This will depends on the school you went to, your grades, and what types of clerkships you did. All of that is much more important than whether you did 2 or 3 clerkships. Clerkships were Flyover Magistrate/Major Metro D.Ct/Fed. COA. School was lower T14 and graduated MCL. Not sure how much that changes things. Would you consider taking a haircut on your year group? A firm might be more willing to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Hangley Aronchick Philly  
  by: Lacepiece23   on: June 28, at 10:19:06 am   in: Legal Employment
Hangley is a fairly different experience than the big law shops that are mentioned above. From what I understand, the trade off is essentially below market pay for better hours, more substantive experience, and better partnership prospects. This is appealing to me, and I assume many others. Do you (or anyone) know how much below market or how much better hours? If that’s appealing to you, I’d go ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=288329

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 28, at 4:03:22 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
The Second Circuit is really picky. It depends where the prior clerkship was and how connected your district judge was, but top 30% (let’s say a 3.7?) from MVP really isn’t competitive for CA2 unless you’re a URM applying for one of the Chambers that places a strong emphasis on diversity (Lohier, Lee, Perez, Chin). Sullivan is especially grade picky. Even for a URM, Lohier would never consider to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Worried about upcoming clerkship  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 28, at 2:49:53 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
As long as she doesn't fire you, who cares? Just suck it up for a year. Imagine you're stuck in a abusive and toxic work environment working 60-100 hours a week for years. Oh, wait, that's biglaw! These are fundamentally different than abusive biglaw environemnts. You are trapped in a small area with no workplace protections over a person who is basically above the law and wields enormous power i...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315840

Re: Hangley Aronchick Philly  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 27, at 8:54:32 pm   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563126 time=1750942288 user_id=45852]
Hangley is a fairly different experience than the big law shops that are mentioned above. From what I understand, the trade off is essentially below market pay for better hours, more substantive experience, and better partnership prospects.
[/quote]

This is appealing to me, and I assume many others. Do you (or anyone) know how much below market or how much better hours?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=288329

Re: Worried about upcoming clerkship  
  by: Wild Card   on: June 27, at 1:42:26 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
As long as she doesn't fire you, who cares? Just suck it up for a year.



Imagine you're stuck in a abusive and toxic work environment working 60-100 hours a week for years. Oh, wait, that's biglaw!
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315840

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 27, at 12:59:02 pm   in: Legal Employment
This will depends on the school you went to, your grades, and what types of clerkships you did. All of that is much more important than whether you did 2 or 3 clerkships. Clerkships were Flyover Magistrate/Major Metro D.Ct/Fed. COA. School was lower T14 and graduated MCL. Not sure how much that changes things. A lot. That makes you a very competitive applicant for even the top firms. I think you ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 27, at 10:14:31 am   in: Legal Employment
This is going to be a major red flag for firms. Signals you'd rather not be in private practice, doesn't add much to your skillset after the first 1-2 clerkships and you'd be a midlevel with barely any experience. Hiring partners are going to see this as indecisive at best.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Re: Let's talk 11th Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 27, at 9:32:31 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
Has Abudu moved for 2026-27?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=205160

Re: Worried about upcoming clerkship  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 27, at 5:48:38 am   in: Judicial Clerkships
For future posters if in the interview the clerks are telling you the judge is strict, harsh, and you need thick skin that means they're trying to warn you. I was going to say the same thing. If clerks are offering neutral responses (instead of saying positive things), that's a signal to dig further. If they're saying negative things about their judge, that's a massive red flag. OP, only you can ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315840

Re: Any Chance of Getting Hired into NYC BigLaw with Three Clerkships?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 27, at 4:56:03 am   in: Legal Employment
[quote="Anonymous User" post_id=10563047 time=1750260543 user_id=45852]
This will depends on the school you went to, your grades, and what types of clerkships you did. All of that is much more important than whether you did 2 or 3 clerkships.
[/quote]

Clerkships were Flyover Magistrate/Major Metro D.Ct/Fed. COA. School was lower T14 and graduated MCL. Not sure how much that changes things.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=315835

Uni-Options/Chance  
  by:   on: June 27, at 1:26:09 am   in: What are my chances?
Non-Traditional (10 years+ out of School)

2.3 UG-GPA (OUCH!)

171 LSAT

Military Officer of 8 years

Networking and IT Focus (Specializing in Policy/Governance)

TS Clearance

Character & Fitness is Clean

Non-Binary/Trans



Where could I even go? Could I swing a T50?
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=315844

Re: How much does DCt help CoA apps?  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 26, at 4:51:48 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
It was a big help to me. And my success rate (getting interviews) jumped significantly after my D. Ct. judge wrote a glowing LOR. Strong agree about a glowing rec letter being significant. I also had an extra year of stronger grades at that point, I went from zero COA interviews applying really widely to 5 after re-applying more narrowly, including with some prominent/feeder judges. One of them e...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315839

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 26, at 4:44:01 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
The Second Circuit is really picky. It depends where the prior clerkship was and how connected your district judge was, but top 30% (let’s say a 3.7?) from MVP really isn’t competitive for CA2 unless you’re a URM applying for one of the Chambers that places a strong emphasis on diversity (Lohier, Lee, Perez, Chin). Sullivan is especially grade picky. Even for a URM, Lohier would never consider to...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Re: Let's talk 2nd Circuit!  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 26, at 3:20:39 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
The Second Circuit is really picky. It depends where the prior clerkship was and how connected your district judge was, but top 30% (let’s say a 3.7?) from MVP really isn’t competitive for CA2 unless you’re a URM applying for one of the Chambers that places a strong emphasis on diversity (Lohier, Lee, Perez, Chin). Sullivan is especially grade picky. I know a handful of people who’ve had intervie...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=206410

Clerkship decision angst  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 26, at 3:09:32 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
Closed.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315843

Re: Second clerkship or fellowship?  
  by: lavarman84   on: June 26, at 2:56:05 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
If you want to work for the public interest org interviewing you, that fellowship will be more valuable than the D. Ct. clerkship. A D. Ct. clerkship is great experience and can help you get your foot in the door with selective PI orgs. But the fellowship actually gets you inside the room.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315838

Re: How much does DCt help CoA apps?  
  by: lavarman84   on: June 26, at 2:53:42 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
It was a big help to me. And my success rate (getting interviews) jumped significantly after my D. Ct. judge wrote a glowing LOR.
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315839

Re: Worried about upcoming clerkship  
  by: lavarman84   on: June 26, at 2:49:26 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
For future posters if in the interview the clerks are telling you the judge is strict, harsh, and you need thick skin that means they're trying to warn you. I was going to say the same thing. If clerks are offering neutral responses (instead of saying positive things), that's a signal to dig further. If they're saying negative things about their judge, that's a massive red flag. OP, only you can ...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315840

Re: Berkeley Clerkship/Coif Discussion  
  by: Anonymous User   on: June 26, at 12:59:49 pm   in: Judicial Clerkships
3.1 for 2L got me to top 25%. any hope for district court clerkships in CA like a couple years after grad or am i well and truly fucked You just need some luck, persistence, and being strategic. Plenty of Berkeley Law applicants have landed dct clerkships without academic honors (as in they were below top 25-33%). You’ll see from the database that even people with mostly Ps have been able to secu...
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=315211