State Court Trial level Clerkship Forum

[Anonymous User]

So here's my situation, I am a 3L with pretty strong creds (top 10% T10, secondary journal, government job last summer) But I have nothing lined up for after graduation. Made a run at the art 3 clerkship market but struck out, so my plan at present is to apply to state level clerkships and then do a federal clerkship, and then hopefully find a job that will pay off my loans. Is this a totally crazy idea? Is a state trial clerkship going to help get an art 3 clerkship, or at least give me a fair chance as a regular alumni applicant?

[ggocat]

So here's my situation, I am a 3L with pretty strong creds (top 10% T10, secondary journal, government job last summer) But I have nothing lined up for after graduation. Made a run at the art 3 clerkship market but struck out, so my plan at present is to apply to state level clerkships and then do a federal clerkship, and then hopefully find a job that will pay off my loans. Is this a totally crazy idea? Is a state trial clerkship going to help get an art 3 clerkship, or at least give me a fair chance as a regular alumni applicant?

My two cents: Not crazy but still an uphill battle. Probably won't help immensely in the search for a federal clerkship unless your state judge is connected and will make a phone call. Certainly you have a fair chance as an alumni applicant.

Exit options for state clerks are not terrible. Even without a federal clerkship, you may have a shot at smaller and mid-sized firms that pay decently. (That's just my observation/experience; certainly may be different where you live).

[Blindmelon]

So here's my situation, I am a 3L with pretty strong creds (top 10% T10, secondary journal, government job last summer) But I have nothing lined up for after graduation. Made a run at the art 3 clerkship market but struck out, so my plan at present is to apply to state level clerkships and then do a federal clerkship, and then hopefully find a job that will pay off my loans. Is this a totally crazy idea? Is a state trial clerkship going to help get an art 3 clerkship, or at least give me a fair chance as a regular alumni applicant?

My two cents: Not crazy but still an uphill battle. Probably won't help immensely in the search for a federal clerkship unless your state judge is connected and will make a phone call. Certainly you have a fair chance as an alumni applicant.

Exit options for state clerks are not terrible. Even without a federal clerkship, you may have a shot at smaller and mid-sized firms that pay decently. (That's just my observation/experience; certainly may be different where you live).

+1 - strong creds + state clerkship + networking like crazy could land you a good small/midsized firm gig if thats what you want.

[keg411]

+1 - strong creds + state clerkship + networking like crazy could land you a good small/midsized firm gig if thats what you want.

Even weaker creds + a state trial clerkship can get you a decent small/midsize firm job if you get your judge to help you out.

[Anonymous User]

An alum (of my T40 school) I talked to did a state trial court clerkship in a flyover state, got an outstanding LOR that led to a fed d. ct. clerkship, and then went into a big law firm that explicitly told him they wouldn't have even looked at his resume without the clerkships. Granted, this was the late 90s, but it means your plan is by no means crazy.