Clerkship Chances Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm at a TT school in the Northeast. I'm in the top 5%, secondary journal, and moot court. What are my odds at any federal clerkship, including magistrate and bankruptcy. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances at this point? I am currently working with a federal judge as an intern for my 2L summer to show my interest. I am planning on applying to judges across the country. I have no intention to turn down any district. I also took Federal Courts and received an A. I don't know if this actually makes a difference either.

Thanks.

[traydeuce]

Your chances aren't that bad in the district your school's in, or in the district you're from, provided they're not overly competitive districts; you may be out of luck if you attend Brooklyn Law and grew up in Brooklyn. Outside of that, I wouldn't expect to get interviews (and I wouldn't expect to get interviews in your home district/school's home district either, but your odds are okay), but you could. Secondary journal at a TT is a bit of a killer, though.

[Anonymous User]

Do you think that even applies to the bankruptcy or magistrate judges? My perception is that I probably won't get interviews for Art. III but a lot of bankruptcy judges only look for top 33%, and I have a background in bankruptcy with my classes (taken debtor and creditor law + secured transactions), so I might be a little more lucky on the Art. I judges.

[ggocat]

You have a decent shot, especially with magistrate and bankruptcy. Some state courts have started hiring, and you would be more competitive for those.