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I've been getting different arguments from different people.

My career office doesn't see anything wrong with it, if done swiftly and politely. A professor who used to do both big law and clerk for a fed judge says judges know the reality of the job market (generally and for 1Ls) and wouldn't be too pissed.

I see other posters on TLS saying it'd jeopardize my legal reputation in the area, etc.



To be clear, I am NOT talking about accepting and then reneging on an offer.

Yes, you can turn down an offer without causing any problems.

Thank you for the response. Anybody disagree?

If your career services office doesn't care, why should you? Unless you think you're going to be practicing in front of that judge at some point, I don't see why it would matter even if you did annoy her a little.

As someone who actually did this, I will say that I undoubtedly burned a potential bridge, but while I definitely ruined any potential relationship with that particular judge, there were no far-reaching consequences. You'll be fine, as long as you keep it professional and courteous.