Law Clerk Hourly Pay at a Big Law Firm Forum

[Anonymous User]

I received an offer to work as a Law Clerk this summer at a Big Law firm. I'm working at a smaller office and am the only clerk. I was wondering what is the going rate for these type of positions? Do I try to negotiate the salary?

[Anonymous User]

I receive about $88/hr as a clerk at a firm that pays market salary. HTH

[westphillybandr]

I receive about $88/hr as a clerk at a firm that pays market salary. HTH

better hourly wage than a first year.

[Anonymous User]

I was paid $35/hour for part-time hourly work while in school at a big vault firm.

[Anonymous User]

What market, OP?

[bwv812]

The real question is why OP is a law clerk and not a summer associate. Typically hourly clerks are SAs who also work during the school year, so if a firm is hiring clerks during the summer I wonder if this isnt some sort of weird dual-track process.

[Anonymous User]

FWIW, I had offers between $55/hr to $75/hr to be a part time patent law clerk. $55 offer was from 1L year, and I received a bump each class year. Another firm offered the $75 when I was a 3L. No patent bar reg. no. yet, but eligible to sit. Non-NY market, but a big market.

[Anonymous User]

Op. The office doesn't have a summer program. It is about 50 attorneys in this office. I don't want to say the market. It is a city less than 1 million. Not on the coast.

[Jchance]

Check NALP Directory for local firms' 2L summer weekly salary in your market, then divide that number by 40.

[PrideandGlory1776]

Can someone post me links for the difference between law clerk and law associate and/or explain ... I'm 0L and just assumed everyone did random stuff 1L i.e. Gov work, Research Assistant etc. and 2L Summer Assoc. - and State/Fed Judicial Clerking thereafter - haven't heard of law clerking on the forums and would be interested to find out more information. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

The real question is why OP is a law clerk and not a summer associate. Typically hourly clerks are SAs who also work during the school year, so if a firm is hiring clerks during the summer I wonder if this isnt some sort of weird dual-track process.

I am a law clerk at a vault firm. I am at a smaller office of a national firm that does not have summers. So they take law clerks in and sometimes hire a few as first years.

It is becoming more and more common as summer classes get smaller. They are great positions to have during law school. I make btw 30-40 and hour.

[Anonymous User]

The real question is why OP is a law clerk and not a summer associate. Typically hourly clerks are SAs who also work during the school year, so if a firm is hiring clerks during the summer I wonder if this isnt some sort of weird dual-track process.

I worked at a ~30 attorney litigation firm for half of 1L and 2L summers and they went out of their way to call us law clerks instead of summer associates. Their reasons were A) They wanted to pay us less (only $15/hour), and B) They rarely hired associates from their summer program, so they didn't want to give us "false hope" of a great chance at an offer that the title summer associate gives off.

I get that the market is incredibly tilted in favor of firms, but it was still ridiculous. I thankfully will be working somewhere else once I graduate.

[Anonymous User]

I think the experience and what you can get out of the position varies widely at every firm. I would guess that getting a big law clerk position is probably the second best outcome. If you cannot get a Summer Associate position it is not a bad position to have.

This is b/c you have the firm on your resume, you are in the door, and you are in the best position for 3L hiring at other firms.

That being said. I have loved my position and the people I work with. But some people have had bad experiences.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Can someone post me links for the difference between law clerk and law associate and/or explain ... I'm 0L and just assumed everyone did random stuff 1L i.e. Gov work, Research Assistant etc. and 2L Summer Assoc. - and State/Fed Judicial Clerking thereafter - haven't heard of law clerking on the forums and would be interested to find out more information. Thanks!

I'm pretty sure the distinction is that a summer associate works for the summer and has an expectation of getting hired at the end of the summer for a post-grad job (although that may not happen) while a law clerk works over the summer and/or during the school year with no expectation of permanent employment (though it can happen depending on firm needs and if they like you). Also, I think law clerks get paid by the hour and SAs get a pro-rated salary. Otherwise they're the same in that they're paid student positions in private law firms.

[Anonymous User]

The law clerk designation means different things at different firms.

I know of some big law firms that call Associates "law clerks" until they are admitted to the bar. The firm I spent my summer at actually called everyone "Summer Associates" during the summer and then called them law clerks when they returned full time until they were sworn in to the bar.

Some places use the term to refer only to hourly part-time employees (either during school or otherwise).

Bottom line is to not read too much into the title of the position. Ask intelligent and tactful questions about what kind of work you will be doing and what the expectations are regarding and offer for a permanent position. That is the only way to know for sure.

[PrideandGlory1776]

Ah ok thanks everyone for the clarification - def. good to know - thank goodness for TLS these forums - such quick and insightful information - gotta love it!

[legendarysword]

I'm interested in patent work as well and will have my registration # soon. How did you each find your law clerkships during the academic year?

[Jchance]

I'm interested in patent work as well and will have my registration # soon. How did you each find your law clerkships during the academic year?

Massmail local firms + network + apply via Symplicity. If you have the right credential and if a firm has a need, you have a strong chance.

[legendarysword]

I'm interested in patent work as well and will have my registration # soon. How did you each find your law clerkships during the academic year?

Massmail local firms + network + apply via Symplicity. If you have the right credential and if a firm has a need, you have a strong chance.

Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Can you do/apply for "remote" law clerk positions? I have life science PhD, USPTO reg. and 2 major-ish foreign languages and wonder if I could do something for them per email/internet.

[Jchance]

Can you do/apply for "remote" law clerk positions? I have life science PhD, USPTO reg. and 2 major-ish foreign languages and wonder if I could do something for them per email/internet.

Technically u can, and I've seen some postings for the DC/Virginia region regarding patent agent, but have not heard any success stories yet. Maybe you can connect the ones currently doing remotely.