Top Law Schools

Just received a call asking for an interview with a federal magistrate judge. I'm aware that general etiquette is that you MUST accept offers from judges (especially true for clerkships, debatable with respect to internships).

I conditionally accepted an RA position already but the professor understands that I may decline if I receive something later/in another location. Application to a COA judge still pending.

I would probably be able to split the COA and RA jobs, but not the magistrate position (in another state).

question: do I accept the interview with the magistrate exposing myself to the possibility of having to accept (and not being able to split with anything), or do I rely on the position I already have as an RA and hope the COA judge comes through?

Last point: I have a strong preference for the location of the magistrate judge compared to the other opportunities but not so much so that I would turn down great opportunities where the COA/RA position is located.

I could be mistaken, but I think the rule is that you cannot accept an offer to clerk/intern for a judge and then renege on it. You can, however, turn down an offer.

I would interview accept the interview if you are actually interested in the position, which it seems that you are.. When decisions are pending, you have every reason to keep interviewing/applying.

You might be able to do the RA position remotely. An RA, for the most part, does nothing but research. As long as you have westlaw/lexis and access to a law library, you should be able to RA wherever you are. So, if you really wan to RA, you could prob find a way to do that even if you are working in a different state.

OP here

thanks for the advice ohnowtf

ohnowtf wrote:I could be mistaken, but I think the rule is that you cannot accept an offer to clerk/intern for a judge and then renege on it. You can, however, turn down an offer.

other opinions? is this the "rule" or am I bound to accept?

ohnowtf wrote:You might be able to do the RA position remotely. An RA, for the most part, does nothing but research. As long as you have westlaw/lexis and access to a law library, you should be able to RA wherever you are. So, if you really wan to RA, you could prob find a way to do that even if you are working in a different state.

I'm not sure if I'd have access to a law library, is that essential? I should have lexis/westlaw access

.

ohnowtf wrote:I could be mistaken, but I think the rule is that you cannot accept an offer to clerk/intern for a judge and then renege on it. You can, however, turn down an offer.

I would interview accept the interview if you are actually interested in the position, which it seems that you are.. When decisions are pending, you have every reason to keep interviewing/applying.

You might be able to do the RA position remotely. An RA, for the most part, does nothing but research. As long as you have westlaw/lexis and access to a law library, you should be able to RA wherever you are. So, if you really wan to RA, you could prob find a way to do that even if you are working in a different state.

What he said. There is no obligation to accept an offer. Otherwise, it wouldn't be an offer. What will put you in hot watter with a judge is rescinding an accepted offer.