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I'm doing a non-Art. III federal clerkship next year (think of one of those courts you've probably never heard of until you looked through OSCAR). I have pretty much no shot at an Art. III clerkship based on grades, so I was wondering: will this clerkship help much, if at all, in getting an Art. III one?

Any and all personal anecdotes, rumors, and opinions welcome and encouraged.

Thanks in advance.

Not what you asked for... but do you mind sharing rank of school, class rank, journal, ect.? And if you had any background in the field (e.g. Tax, Bankruptcy, International Trade;assuming your are not with a federal magistrate). Also, if you applied through OSCAR, or had another connection.

I am interested in going this route (because I am no lock for an Art. III clerkship) and any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

son_of_ben wrote:Not what you asked for... but do you mind sharing rank of school, class rank, journal, ect.? And if you had any background in the field (e.g. Tax, Bankruptcy, International Trade;assuming your are not with a federal magistrate). Also, if you applied through OSCAR, or had another connection.

I am interested in going this route (because I am no lock for an Art. III clerkship) and any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi ben,

All you need to know is that, statistically, I seemingly had a 0% chance. The judge I am working for explicitly told me during the phone call in which (s)he offered the position that the reason I got it was because I had 4 of "the best LORs [(s)he] had ever seen." I cannot overstate how important LORs have been to me. They were absolutely what got me the position.

Anecdote:
Magistrate Judges are not Art. III.
Many people do 1-year with a Mag, then go clerk for District Court.