Did I just kill my changes at a clerkship? Forum

[vegeta]

I recently submitted a bunch of applications to various judges. I found out just now that I put "Sincerely," at the end instead of "Respectfully." Do judges really care that much? Is this just a precaution law schools put out there? Help put a frantic law student's mind to rest.

[NJPitcher]

As long as you proofed those letters better than you did the title to this thread...

[Anonymous User]

Where in the world did you hear that "respectfully" is required on clerkship cover letters? I put "sincerely" at the end of every one of mine, and I'll be clerking in a top district in 2013. Most of the sample cover letters from my HYS career office website also used "sincerely." You're being paranoid.

[Anonymous User]

True story: I wrote a clerkship cover letter to a federal judge that read, "... Chief Pubic Defender ...." Granted it was buried in the middle of the letter, but that's pretty bad. Somehow I still got an interview.

So I wouldn't worry about the judge or clerk who reads it giving a fuck about the salutation.

[kwais]

I think the better question is, did you just kill your entire career. This is serious business. The level of disrespect you showed here will cast a shadow over your reputation for years to come. The judges will think, nay, know, that you do not respect them; as people, as professionals. However, this could be a blessing in disguise. If this is at all representative of your judgment, then you did yourself a huge favor by having this happen before people's lives are at stake. You saved lives bro.

[flcath]

Sorry bro, but that's a well-known autoding.

[vegeta]

True story: I wrote a clerkship cover letter to a federal judge that read, "... Chief Pubic Defender ...." Granted it was buried in the middle of the letter, but that's pretty bad. Somehow I still got an interview.

So I wouldn't worry about the judge or clerk who reads it giving a fuck about the salutation.

Ha!