Law Clerk at a Small (Maybe Mid-size?) Firm Taking Qs Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi all!

I recently had a conversation with my 1L peer-mentee, and she asked me a ton of questions about working at a smaller-sized firms. I figured I'd try and answer questions--if there any--on here as well.

So the firm I'm with has ~30 lawyers. The firm is mostly litigation.

Since I'm not an associate, I cannot answer questions about associate work-life--the hours, deadlines, salary, etc.--but I'm more than happy to answer any general questions about the sort of work I do as a law clerk.

Thanks!

[noobishned]

What does a day in the life look like for you?

[Anonymous User]

What does a day in the life look like for you?

I currently work part-time. I usually get in to the office--on days I work--around 8 AM. And depending on my class-load for the day, I'll probably work in to the late afternoon. The attorneys are always willing to take me out to lunch if I reach out to them. It's a very welcoming environment. When I arrive I always set aside a few minutes to skim over any headlines in the legal world, especially those in my state.

Now, in terms of the work. That has been a developing process.

When I first started out my assignments centered on finding, shepardizing and summarizing case law.

As I started to develop stronger relationships with the attorneys, I received more written projects. For example, I started to draft more internal memoranda that directly related to our client's case.

So far, it's definitely has been my written ability that has gotten me assignments above anything else.

These days my projects focus on drafting internal memoranda, and writing the initial draft of pleadings (answers, discovery, etc.).

Since I work only part-time during the school year, I cannot take on a substantial project with highly sensitive deadlines. Those projects usually go to an associate. But the associates are comfortable with giving me certain mini-projects within the big project.

All in all, I like my job.

[whereskyle]

Thanks a million for doing this for us. Im really interested in pursuing small firm opportunities. Mind telling us how you secured an internship at this smaller firm? Do they take SAs? Also, what are the major practice areas?

[Anonymous User]

Thanks a million for doing this for us. Im really interested in pursuing small firm opportunities. Mind telling us how you secured an SA at this smaller firm? Also, what are the major practice areas?

To whereskyle (Or as Cartman would put it, whereskeeeeeyle):

No worries at all!

So my firm doesn't really have a formal SA program. And to be frank, I really do not know what they have in mind for me for this summer.

But I got this gig in a non-formal way. This position was not posted on my school's Symplicity page. I was referred to it by an attorney I grabbed coffee with, who used to work at this firm, and who still has strong relationships with the firm's partners. I sent my application materials in, and received a call for an interview a few days after that. I don't really know if I can comment on the best way to obtain a position with a small/mid-size firm. I got this position through pure chance/lucky networking.

But if I were you, I'd definitely try and meet attorneys who practice in smaller firms. I have never been a fan of going to local bar events, or any other big networking events. Try and reach out to alumni from your law school who practice in smaller firms, or ask your career counselor if they can recommend anyone. Then grab coffee or lunch. Their firm may not be hiring, but they may be willing to reach out to partners at other firms for you. Again, it may come down to blind luck--like for yours truly.

For your practice area question, my firm focuses on business litigation. I know that sounds very broad, but I really don't know how to explain it otherwise. Litigation matters range from product liability disputes, employment discrimination, and mass torts. I'm sure the list goes on, but those are the practice areas where I've had the most contact with.

[whereskyle]

Thanks a million for doing this for us. Im really interested in pursuing small firm opportunities. Mind telling us how you secured an SA at this smaller firm? Also, what are the major practice areas?

To whereskyle (Or as Cartman would put it, whereskeeeeeyle):

No worries at all!

So my firm doesn't really have a formal SA program. And to be frank, I really do not know what they have in mind for me for this summer.

But I got this gig in a non-formal way. This position was not posted on my school's Symplicity page. I was referred to it by an attorney I grabbed coffee with, who used to work at this firm, and who still has strong relationships with the firm's partners. I sent my application materials in, and received a call for an interview a few days after that. I don't really know if I can comment on the best way to obtain a position with a small/mid-size firm. I got this position through pure chance/lucky networking.

But if I were you, I'd definitely try and meet attorneys who practice in smaller firms. I have never been a fan of going to local bar events, or any other big networking events. Try and reach out to alumni from your law school who practice in smaller firms, or ask your career counselor if they can recommend anyone. Then grab coffee or lunch. Their firm may not be hiring, but they may be willing to reach out to partners at other firms for you. Again, it may come down to blind luck--like for yours truly.

For your practice area question, my firm focuses on business litigation. I know that sounds very broad, but I really don't know how to explain it otherwise. Litigation matters range from product liability disputes, employment discrimination, and mass torts. I'm sure the list goes on, but those are the practice areas where I've had the most contact with.

Awesome. Thank you for the response and the cartman impression. I'll be back if other pressing questions come to mind.

[dood]

- what rates do associates bill at?
- what's your firms biggest client? (or give an example of one that is comparable)
- doubt you know, but if you do, how much do partners make?
- lexis or westlaw? or books and shit.

[Anonymous User]

- what rates do associates bill at?
- what's your firms biggest client? (or give an example of one that is comparable)
- doubt you know, but if you do, how much do partners make?
- lexis or westlaw? or books and shit.

I'm sorry, but I don't know exact answers.

(1) I know our firm represents large corporations, but I'm not sure which client is the biggest.

(2) The associates and I don't really talk about billing rates. The attorneys just ask that I keep meticulously accurate track of my time. I have not been asked to review a bill, or anything.

(3) I cannot even begin to guess what the revenue/profits per partner are.

(4) Westlaw.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 2L with a second half summer clerkship and I'm still seeking a first half clerkship. I had an interview with a firm last week (Firm B) and I killed it. Really hit it off with them, and they asked me when I would be able to start / spoke like I had the gig. They have a few more interviews to wrap up and they said I would be contacted by the end of this week. They are a small/mid firm w/ around 15 lawyers.


However, I have a callback interview with Firm A on April 2. I really like Firm A, much more than I like Firm B. Thus, I want to wait as long as possible to accept a potential offer so I can find out what Firm A plans on doing w/ me after my callback.

So my question is, how do I approach this situation with Firm B if they extend me an offer this week? I would definitely want to accept an offer from Firm B, if Firm A does not work out at my callback. I just don't want this situation to blow up in my face and have an offer rescinded by Firm B. I'm not sure if it is offensive to ask for a timeline to accept/decline an offer, or if waiting till after April 3 would be too long, even if I'm given a timeline.

How do you suggest I approach this situation given your experience in a small/mid-sized firm?

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

I've also been a law clerk at a small firm doing foreclosure litigation. I've been doing it for a year now.

I work 20 hours a week and have 13-14 credit semesters, I get paid $20 an hour.

I mostly do research and writing for the attorneys. We have about 30 of them as well, but I'm only assigned to 3 of them. However, some of the other attorney's bring me stuff to work on as well. The other attorney's, that I unofficially work for, do probate and bankruptcy.

The attorney's here bill at $275 an hour and pull do between 1500 and 1800 annually.

I'm also open to questions.

[Anonymous User]

I've also been a law clerk at a small firm doing foreclosure litigation. I've been doing it for a year now.

I work 20 hours a week and have 13-14 credit semesters, I get paid $20 an hour.

I mostly do research and writing for the attorneys. We have about 30 of them as well, but I'm only assigned to 3 of them. However, some of the other attorney's bring me stuff to work on as well. The other attorney's, that I unofficially work for, do probate and bankruptcy.

The attorney's here bill at $275 an hour and pull do between 1500 and 1800 annually.

I'm also open to questions.

How do u manage your law clerk work and school work? is it hard, does the firm work around your scedule?

[Anonymous User]

I've also been a law clerk at a small firm doing foreclosure litigation. I've been doing it for a year now.

I work 20 hours a week and have 13-14 credit semesters, I get paid $20 an hour.

I mostly do research and writing for the attorneys. We have about 30 of them as well, but I'm only assigned to 3 of them. However, some of the other attorney's bring me stuff to work on as well. The other attorney's, that I unofficially work for, do probate and bankruptcy.

The attorney's here bill at $275 an hour and pull do between 1500 and 1800 annually.

I'm also open to questions.

How do u manage your law clerk work and school work? is it hard, does the firm work around your scedule?

Hi, this is the law clerk that you quoted.

It's not hard. The firm I work for is very flexible with my hours and even lets me work remotely during the winter and spring breaks so I can return home. I don't take this for granted and on the days I'm not in the office I will check my work email throughout the day to see if there are any urgent matters that they need me for. It isn't common, but its not unheard of me getting a text at 10pm from an associate asking me about a legal issue.

In regard to the school work, I don't miss classes and take really good notes. I don't read for most classes but I will crunch the coursework during my exam period. I will work less during the exam period but will make myself available to the attorney's if they have anything that needs to be done.

All in all, its not too tough balancing everything. I still have about 4 hours a day plus weekends to do whatever I want.

[dead head]

Does the firm ask you to do legal research on your student LexisNexis/Westlaw accounts?

[Anonymous User]

Does the firm ask you to do legal research on your student LexisNexis/Westlaw accounts?

No.

[Anonymous User]

I've also been a law clerk at a small firm doing foreclosure litigation. I've been doing it for a year now.

I work 20 hours a week and have 13-14 credit semesters, I get paid $20 an hour.

I mostly do research and writing for the attorneys. We have about 30 of them as well, but I'm only assigned to 3 of them. However, some of the other attorney's bring me stuff to work on as well. The other attorney's, that I unofficially work for, do probate and bankruptcy.

The attorney's here bill at $275 an hour and pull do between 1500 and 1800 annually.

I'm also open to questions.

How do u manage your law clerk work and school work? is it hard, does the firm work around your scedule?

Hi, this is the law clerk that you quoted.

It's not hard. The firm I work for is very flexible with my hours and even lets me work remotely during the winter and spring breaks so I can return home. I don't take this for granted and on the days I'm not in the office I will check my work email throughout the day to see if there are any urgent matters that they need me for. It isn't common, but its not unheard of me getting a text at 10pm from an associate asking me about a legal issue.

In regard to the school work, I don't miss classes and take really good notes. I don't read for most classes but I will crunch the coursework during my exam period. I will work less during the exam period but will make myself available to the attorney's if they have anything that needs to be done.

All in all, its not too tough balancing everything. I still have about 4 hours a day plus weekends to do whatever I want.

OP here.

I'll echo what this anon said. It's definitely manageable, and my firm is also very understanding of my class-load.

If you are working part-time during the school year, I'd recommend that you let the attorneys know what days you'll be in the office. And on days you're not in the office, always leave your cell phone number with them so they can call you if something urgent comes up.

[Anonymous User]

Does the firm ask you to do legal research on your student LexisNexis/Westlaw accounts?

No.

No, they should give you a separate log-in account that is specifically through the firm.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 2L with a second half summer clerkship and I'm still seeking a first half clerkship. I had an interview with a firm last week (Firm B) and I killed it. Really hit it off with them, and they asked me when I would be able to start / spoke like I had the gig. They have a few more interviews to wrap up and they said I would be contacted by the end of this week. They are a small/mid firm w/ around 15 lawyers.


However, I have a callback interview with Firm A on April 2. I really like Firm A, much more than I like Firm B. Thus, I want to wait as long as possible to accept a potential offer so I can find out what Firm A plans on doing w/ me after my callback.

So my question is, how do I approach this situation with Firm B if they extend me an offer this week? I would definitely want to accept an offer from Firm B, if Firm A does not work out at my callback. I just don't want this situation to blow up in my face and have an offer rescinded by Firm B. I'm not sure if it is offensive to ask for a timeline to accept/decline an offer, or if waiting till after April 3 would be too long, even if I'm given a timeline.

How do you suggest I approach this situation given your experience in a small/mid-sized firm?

Thanks!

OP here.

I'm afraid that as a lowly-law student I do not know the best answer to this. The attorneys and I do not really talk about the hiring practices of the firm. Nor do I know how other similar-sized firms would view your situation.

Though I can see how your situation may bring about some stress. Have you thought about reaching out to your career counselor? They might be the best person to talk to about it.

Best wishes!

[dead head]

No, they should give you a separate log-in account that is specifically through the firm.

I'm aware of what firms should do. But I'm also aware that some less reputable firms like to hire law students for the purpose of abusing their student accounts, and wondered if this might be the explanation for late-night research requests.

[Anonymous User]

How much of your work is clerical stuff like filing papers, calling client for basic information, basically stuff you don't need a JD for?

[Anonymous User]

How much of your work is clerical stuff like filing papers, calling client for basic information, basically stuff you don't need a JD for?

OP here.

My firm has been very good at giving more substantive projects that are client-related.

I've never had to file anything, or perform other administrative/clerical duties.

I know at other firms--of similar or smaller sizes--that the law clerks do have to perform certain clerical tasks. But I've personally been able to work on more substantive projects.

[Anonymous User]

How much of your work is clerical stuff like filing papers, calling client for basic information, basically stuff you don't need a JD for?

I'm the other clerk, very little.

An attorney once had a problem that I overheard. She wanted to get a copy of a document filed with a clerk of court but couldn't wait a few days to get a runner to pull it. I called the clerk and politely inquired about it. She pulled it up on her comp and just emailed it to me. but I wasn't actually asked to do this, I just did it anyways.

I do have one clerical assignment that a regular could do, but it takes up maybe 10% of my time. Its something that was assigned to me when I first started but I haven't been told I can stop so I continue. As far as filing, I haven't done that before. Calling clients is generally done by the attorneys where I work because our clients are in the banking industry. I have sat down in a couple conference calls and asked to participate in one complicated case with the clients in house counsel. Just to brief them on what we were dealing with. That was probably the most nerve-wracking moment as a law clerk. The attorney just came by and grabbed me so I didn't really have time to prepare for it, but luckily it was still fresh in my head.

About 10% of my time is just going over legal theories with attorneys, just bouncing thoughts off each other. 30% is done researching and 40% is spent writing. They asked me to keep track of the hours I spend on each file, but I don't know how they bill my time.

[Anonymous User]

No, they should give you a separate log-in account that is specifically through the firm.

I'm aware of what firms should do. But I'm also aware that some less reputable firms like to hire law students for the purpose of abusing their student accounts, and wondered if this might be the explanation for late-night research requests.

I'm the clerk you are referencing. For now on I shall be known by LC2. LOL

anyways, I have access to the firms westlaw account.

The reason for the late assignment is that the attorney overlooked something earlier and remembered later (presumably). I didn't ask so I don't know for sure. I don't really mind because I don't think it goes unnoticed.