Laptops/Smartphones for non-big law clerks? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

[imchuckbass58]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

Well, considering most biglaw firms don't issue laptops to their regular associates, let alone their summers, I imagine the answer to that is no.

As for smartphones, it probably depends on the firm.

[Anonymous User]

I got a Blackberry as a 2L SA in NYC. It was useless for most, if not all, of us.

[patrickd139]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

Well, considering most biglaw firms don't issue laptops to their regular associates, let alone their summers, I imagine the answer to that is no.

As for smartphones, it probably depends on the firm.

Pretty much this. RE Laptops: I had to seriously sweet-talk a girl in the IT department to get one issued to me as a first year associate, and I worked between two offices in two states. RE smart-phones: you don't want one. I promise. Cherish the time you have before being chained to an iPhone. Cherish it. Furthermore, you don't need one. Summers are useless anyway.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

I got a blackberry and a laptop as a SA. V5 firm.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

I got a blackberry and a laptop as a SA. V5 firm.

OP here.

oh wow didnt know all of this at all, thanks everyone! so are you just supposed to do your work on your own laptop or do you work at a desktop?

[Anonymous User]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

I got a blackberry and a laptop as a SA. V5 firm.

OP here.

oh wow didnt know all of this at all, thanks everyone! so are you just supposed to do your work on your own laptop or do you work at a desktop?

Used my blackberry often. Desktop is where the majority of the work was done though.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

Well, considering most biglaw firms don't issue laptops to their regular associates, let alone their summers, I imagine the answer to that is no.

As for smartphones, it probably depends on the firm.

I don't think this is right about most biglaw firms... I definitely had a laptop and a blackberry as an SA at a DC firm and I was issued a laptop as a federal law clerk. And, most associates I know were issued laptops and blackberries.

-DoubleClerk

[imchuckbass58]

Any idea if non-biglaw firms issue laptops or smart phones for their 2L or 3L clerks (in training to be associates at the firm)?

Well, considering most biglaw firms don't issue laptops to their regular associates, let alone their summers, I imagine the answer to that is no.

As for smartphones, it probably depends on the firm.

I don't think this is right about most biglaw firms... I definitely had a laptop and a blackberry as an SA at a DC firm and I was issued a laptop as a federal law clerk. And, most associates I know were issued laptops and blackberries.

-DoubleClerk

Maybe it varies by market / firm. In New York for instance I know Cleary and Wachtell do, but I know Cravath, Debevoise, Davis Polk do not. I'd say the majority of my friends who are first years do not have laptops from work, but some do.

I'd add though that firms that don't issue laptops usually give you a technology budget to buy your own laptop.

[blurbz]

Summers at my firm didn't get phones, but we got the option of having laptops (it was discouraged, though, because they didn't want us working from home too much). All of the associates at the firm are issued laptops and get a phone stipend of something like $60 a month so they can just use their personal phone for email. If they were really opposed to using their personal phone for work, they got a bb.

V100

[Anonymous User]

I definitely had a laptop and a blackberry as an SA at a DC firm and I was issued a laptop as a federal law clerk. And, most associates I know were issued laptops and blackberries.

-DoubleClerk

Federal law clerk here, and no laptops issued - theoretically possible to get one for a specific period of travel or whatever, but they're not standard.

[Anonymous User]

I definitely had a laptop and a blackberry as an SA at a DC firm and I was issued a laptop as a federal law clerk. And, most associates I know were issued laptops and blackberries.

-DoubleClerk

Federal law clerk here, and no laptops issued - theoretically possible to get one for a specific period of travel or whatever, but they're not standard.

I'm sure it varies by judge/court, but everyone I knew in my courthouse had a laptop issued to them.

-DoubleClerk

[Anonymous User]

I definitely had a laptop and a blackberry as an SA at a DC firm and I was issued a laptop as a federal law clerk. And, most associates I know were issued laptops and blackberries.

-DoubleClerk

Federal law clerk here, and no laptops issued - theoretically possible to get one for a specific period of travel or whatever, but they're not standard.

I'm sure it varies by judge/court, but everyone I knew in my courthouse had a laptop issued to them.

-DoubleClerk

Yeah, not questioning that it happens - just making that point, that it varies.