clerking for a bankruptcy judge? Forum

[olderapplicant]

is this all interesting, helpful, prestigious? (especially if you don't want to do bankruptcy)

[ggocat]

is this all interesting, helpful, prestigious? (especially if you don't want to do bankruptcy)

bankruptcy clerkship is bankruptcy.

[atkinsa]

I've been told it's useful if you want to do bankruptcy. Otherewise, it's just a job.

[JusticeHarlan]

Are bankruptcy judge clerkships harder to get than Article III district court clerkships? I would imagine everyone who wants to do bankruptcy/restructuring would be applying for them? Or are they easier, as only those with an interest in bankruptcy would be applying?

[ggocat]

Are bankruptcy judge clerkships harder to get than Article III district court clerkships? I would imagine everyone who wants to do bankruptcy/restructuring would be applying for them? Or are they easier, as only those with an interest in bankruptcy would be applying?

They are less competitive for the latter reason. Also because people who apply for them without an interest in bankruptcy are at a significant disadvantage.

[JusticeHarlan]

Are bankruptcy judge clerkships harder to get than Article III district court clerkships? I would imagine everyone who wants to do bankruptcy/restructuring would be applying for them? Or are they easier, as only those with an interest in bankruptcy would be applying?

They are less competitive for the latter reason. Also because people who apply for them without an interest in bankruptcy are at a significant disadvantage.

Thanks, that interesting and good to know. Perhaps too early for me to be thinking about a field of practice, but I do think bankruptcy would be an option. By "an interest in bankruptcy" you mean having taken classes/have summer or other work experience in bankruptcy, secured transactions, etc?

[ggocat]

Are bankruptcy judge clerkships harder to get than Article III district court clerkships? I would imagine everyone who wants to do bankruptcy/restructuring would be applying for them? Or are they easier, as only those with an interest in bankruptcy would be applying?

They are less competitive for the latter reason. Also because people who apply for them without an interest in bankruptcy are at a significant disadvantage.

By "an interest in bankruptcy" you mean having taken classes/have summer or other work experience in bankruptcy, secured transactions, etc?

Yes.

[Anonymous User]

Is it realistic to get into biglaw after a bankrupcty clerkship (let's assume the economy gets better by then)? If yes, then what types of law firms?

[ggocat]

Is it realistic to get into biglaw after a bankrupcty clerkship (let's assume the economy gets better by then)? If yes, then what types of law firms?

http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/ ... ceArea/513

click on state

[Anonymous User]

Is it realistic to get into biglaw after a bankrupcty clerkship (let's assume the economy gets better by then)? If yes, then what types of law firms?

http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/ ... ceArea/513

click on state

Thanks for the link. I'm fairly familiar with most of these firm's bankrupcty practices in my state (but not all of them --the link is pretty helpful). I guess the problem is that I'm not doing a 2L summer associateship with any of them. How realistic is it to get picked up by one of them in a year or two after a bankruptcy clerkship, even if the economy is doing a lot better (i.e. bankruptcy becomes a colder practice area)? ... I guess my biggest fear is going into a bankrupcty clerkship, the economy gets better (which is probably will), and I come out with no options but shitlaw small firm 7s and 13s (I really don't want to do personal bankruptcy).

[ggocat]

Is it realistic to get into biglaw after a bankrupcty clerkship (let's assume the economy gets better by then)? If yes, then what types of law firms?

http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/ ... ceArea/513

click on state

Thanks for the link. I'm fairly familiar with most of these firm's bankrupcty practices in my state (but not all of them --the link is pretty helpful). I guess the problem is that I'm not doing a 2L summer associateship with any of them. How realistic is it to get picked up by one of them in a year or two after a bankruptcy clerkship, even if the economy is doing a lot better (i.e. bankruptcy becomes a colder practice area)? ... I guess my biggest fear is going into a bankrupcty clerkship, the economy gets better (which is probably will), and I come out with no options but shitlaw small firm 7s and 13s (I really don't want to do personal bankruptcy).

Hard to predict. Consensus seems to be that clerkships don't necessarily give you a better shot at biglaw because clerkships usually require better creds than biglaw. There are probably exceptions, particularly in bankruptcy. Of course, there is a middle ground between biglaw and the 7/13 sweatshop firms. Midlaw and small law also handle 11s for small and medium sized businesses. Some small law 7/13 firms are also pretty good, non-sweatshop firms.

[Anonymous User]

Is it realistic to get into biglaw after a bankrupcty clerkship (let's assume the economy gets better by then)? If yes, then what types of law firms?

http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/ ... ceArea/513

click on state

Thanks for the link. I'm fairly familiar with most of these firm's bankrupcty practices in my state (but not all of them --the link is pretty helpful). I guess the problem is that I'm not doing a 2L summer associateship with any of them. How realistic is it to get picked up by one of them in a year or two after a bankruptcy clerkship, even if the economy is doing a lot better (i.e. bankruptcy becomes a colder practice area)? ... I guess my biggest fear is going into a bankrupcty clerkship, the economy gets better (which is probably will), and I come out with no options but shitlaw small firm 7s and 13s (I really don't want to do personal bankruptcy).

Hard to predict. Consensus seems to be that clerkships don't necessarily give you a better shot at biglaw because clerkships usually require better creds than biglaw. There are probably exceptions, particularly in bankruptcy. Of course, there is a middle ground between biglaw and the 7/13 sweatshop firms. Midlaw and small law also handle 11s for small and medium sized businesses. Some small law 7/13 firms are also pretty good, non-sweatshop firms.

So do grades actually make a difference after the clerkship? (Not sure if this is what you meant above.)

I am a t10 transfer student, so my options were pretty limited this last year to begin with. My grades are top ~10%. No journal. Hmm... I wonder if a larger firm would rather pick someone with crappier grades but a more prestigious clerkship for bankruptcy than me when I am done (e.g. someone who was top 25% but on law review, which got them a district court clerkship).