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I'm concerned that I violated NALP rules by emailing a federal judge with whom I might extern next summer. The judge is a friend, and offered this past summer (0L) to take me on as an intern/extern when I don't find a paid summer associateship. I emailed the Judge this September thanking her for the offer and promising to keep in touch regarding my summer employment. She has not replied to my email. Since I'm not supposed to contact potential employers until December 1st, I'm worried I made a mistake.

Help?

Anonymous User wrote:I'm concerned that I violated NALP rules by emailing a federal judge with whom I might extern next summer. The judge is a friend, and offered this past summer (0L) to take me on as an intern/extern when I don't find a paid summer associateship. I emailed the Judge this September thanking her for the offer and promising to keep in touch regarding my summer employment. She has not replied to my email. Since I'm not supposed to contact potential employers until December 1st, I'm worried I made a mistake.

Help?

Don't worry about it. NALP is a one way street, employers and the CDO can't talk to you about jobs, but theoretically you can do whatever you want, although employers will either file your stuff until december or throw it away.

I don't think judges are bound by any of the rules.

Anonymous User wrote:offered this past summer (0L) to take me on as an intern/extern when I don't find a paid summer associateship.

0L paid summer associate? what did you think your odds were?

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:offered this past summer (0L) to take me on as an intern/extern when I don't find a paid summer associateship.

0L paid summer associate? what did you think your odds were?

TBF, OP did say when, not if.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:offered this past summer (0L) to take me on as an intern/extern when I don't find a paid summer associateship.

0L paid summer associate? what did you think your odds were?

TBF, OP did say when, not if.

OP here. Yes, I don't have any illusions that I'll be paid next summer. That's why this question is important to me, b/c I doubt I'll do better than a federal externship.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:offered this past summer (0L) to take me on as an intern/extern when I don't find a paid summer associateship.

0L paid summer associate? what did you think your odds were?

TBF, OP did say when, not if.

OP here. Yes, I don't have any illusions that I'll be paid next summer. That's why this question is important to me, b/c I doubt I'll do better than a federal externship.

Dude, an internship with a federal judge can be really invaluable if you get the right judge. And if you can spin your experiences with the judge in a good way, it can be really helpful come OCI (I've found this to be the case, at least). I worked with a judge, got tons of personalized feedback, built up writing skills, etc. and its been a major point of discussion at every interview, and multiple interviewers have noted that a federal judicial internship is a really nice credential to have after 1L year. So don't think of it as settling.

No this is absolutely not a problem. The NALP rules are intended to keep 1Ls from mass-mailing firms before December 1st. Last year I contacted non-firm employers and judges before that date and there was no problem.

Keeping in touch with a judge that you already know is definitely permitted.

Anonymous User wrote:So don't think of it as settling.

OP again. I don't think of it as settling, and I realize I'm very lucky to have this offer in pocket. But if someone decided I was a special flower I'd have a hard time turning down any paid position given the chance to reduce my debt.

Thanks to responders, glad to know I haven't done anything too egregious.

God bless good ol fashioned law student panic.

People tend to apply for judicial externships in the first semester of 1L year. I think applications get pretty serious around late Oct. - Nov.

Given that ... I don't know how first semester contact with a judge could possibly be frowned on.