Federal clerkship question Forum

[Anonymous User]

I took two classes as an undergraduate with a professor who is a federal judge in Pennsylvania. I had went to his office and the federal courthouse building and his assistant even showed me around the court room and other shit. Anyone think it would be a good idea to send him an email? I wouldn't mind working for him as a clerk upon graduation but I feel it may be a bit too premature to be emailing him given that I'm only going into my second year. If I do email him what sort of thing should I be saying so I don't come off as too weird? Thanks

[bruinfan10]

Do you have federal clerkship credentials? Given that you say you "wouldn't mind clerking for" a federal judge, and assuming he's a full AIII judge, I'm guessing that you don't know what you're talking about. But I might be wrong--just post a little more information if it's a serious question.

Generally, if he's a flyover/low rung d.ct judge, but you want to litigate in that area, it's a great option...if he's a d.ct judge in a solid district, it's a great option for pretty much any litigation career, and if he's a COA judge, HYS kids are probably fighting for that job. So yeah, "I wouldn't mind" the job either, and if you have the appropriate high-end credentials, I'd def try to maximize your extant personal connection and talk to your school's career office/check out the TLS clerkship forum for information on how to apply for a federal clerkship.

[84651846190]

Do you have federal clerkship credentials? Given that you say you "wouldn't mind clerking for" a federal judge, and assuming he's a full AIII judge, I'm guessing that you don't know what you're talking about. But I might be wrong--just post a little more information if it's a serious question.

Generally, if he's a flyover/low rung d.ct judge, but you want to litigate in that area, it's a great option...if he's a d.ct judge in a solid district, it's a great option for pretty much any litigation career, and if he's a COA judge, HYS kids are probably fighting for that job. So yeah, "I wouldn't mind" the job either, and if you have the appropriate high-end credentials, I'd def try to maximize your extant personal connection and talk to your school's career office/check out the TLS clerkship forum for information on how to apply for a federal clerkship.

Doing a clerkship that gives you experience in your primary area of expertise makes the most sense. I guess clerkships in "solid district" are better than flyover districts, but it really depends on the type of work you're doing. People don't give a shit that you clerked on SDNY over WDVA. The give a shit that you worked on high-profile, complex securities cases or whatever else is going on in the SDNY.

For example, Fed Cir or d. ct. clerkships in patent-heavy districts (D. Del. or EDTX) are infinitely more valuable for you than SDNY or 9th Cir if you are dead set on patent work.

[bruinfan10]

Do you have federal clerkship credentials? Given that you say you "wouldn't mind clerking for" a federal judge, and assuming he's a full AIII judge, I'm guessing that you don't know what you're talking about. But I might be wrong--just post a little more information if it's a serious question.

Generally, if he's a flyover/low rung d.ct judge, but you want to litigate in that area, it's a great option...if he's a d.ct judge in a solid district, it's a great option for pretty much any litigation career, and if he's a COA judge, HYS kids are probably fighting for that job. So yeah, "I wouldn't mind" the job either, and if you have the appropriate high-end credentials, I'd def try to maximize your extant personal connection and talk to your school's career office/check out the TLS clerkship forum for information on how to apply for a federal clerkship.

Doing a clerkship that gives you experience in your primary area of expertise makes the most sense. I guess clerkships in "solid district" are better than flyover districts, but it really depends on the type of work you're doing. People don't give a shit that you clerked on SDNY over WDVA. The give a shit that you worked on high-profile, complex securities cases or whatever else is going on in the SDNY.

This seems like unnecessary pedantry? He said the judge was in PA. Eastern District of Pennsylvania is a big name rocket-docket that ABSOLUTELY means more to a lot of high-end employers than might the District of Idaho (and obviously well-known/competitive districts have the name because there's something unique/significant about their dockets). Clerking in a no-name district where you don't want to practice in this economic climate can be a bad move if you have the option of working for a firm in your permanent market--district court clerkships are less portable now than they once were.

Edit: You might have been confused about what I meant by "area"--I meant geographical area, but I guess you're right that some district courts see a higher volume of cases in one "area of law" than another. That's not true for most districts, and more specifically that's probably not a situation applicable to any of the PA d.cts. We're not talking N.D. Cal patent dockets or SDNY securities lit.

[Anonymous User]

OP here,


He is in the WDPA. And yes, I do not know what I'm talking about - all I know is that I had a good relationship with him while in undergrad and I believe he would remember me. I am asking if, and how, I should pursue a clerkship with him.

The "if" being, he is only a d.ct judge in WDPA ... I don't really see my self living there in the future, although it is a fairly large city.

The "how" being, would a mere email suffice, or should I write him a letter, or apply via oscar?

[84651846190]

Do you have federal clerkship credentials? Given that you say you "wouldn't mind clerking for" a federal judge, and assuming he's a full AIII judge, I'm guessing that you don't know what you're talking about. But I might be wrong--just post a little more information if it's a serious question.

Generally, if he's a flyover/low rung d.ct judge, but you want to litigate in that area, it's a great option...if he's a d.ct judge in a solid district, it's a great option for pretty much any litigation career, and if he's a COA judge, HYS kids are probably fighting for that job. So yeah, "I wouldn't mind" the job either, and if you have the appropriate high-end credentials, I'd def try to maximize your extant personal connection and talk to your school's career office/check out the TLS clerkship forum for information on how to apply for a federal clerkship.

Doing a clerkship that gives you experience in your primary area of expertise makes the most sense. I guess clerkships in "solid district" are better than flyover districts, but it really depends on the type of work you're doing. People don't give a shit that you clerked on SDNY over WDVA. The give a shit that you worked on high-profile, complex securities cases or whatever else is going on in the SDNY.

This seems like unnecessary pedantry? He said the judge was in PA. Eastern District of Pennsylvania is a big name rocket-docket that ABSOLUTELY means more to a lot of high-end employers than might the District of Idaho (and obviously well-known/competitive districts have the name because there's something unique/significant about their dockets). Clerking in a no-name district where you don't want to practice in this economic climate can be a bad move if you have the option of working for a firm in your permanent market--district court clerkships are less portable now than they once were.

Edit: You might have been confused about what I meant by "area"--I meant geographical area, but I guess you're right that some district courts see a higher volume of cases in one "area of law" than another. That's not true for most districts, and more specifically that's probably not a situation applicable to any of the PA d.cts. We're not talking N.D. Cal patent dockets or SDNY securities lit.

My post wasn't unnecessarily pedantic because you gave the impression in your initial post that certain districts are good because they're generally perceived as better or more competitive to get. That's not it at all. Like you just clarified, certain districts are better because of their dockets, judges, etc. Judicial districts are not like law schools where every law school basically gives you the same thing but certain law schools just carry different clout. Judicial clerkships are valuable because of the experience they give you, and clerkships in some districts undeniably give you better experience than in other districts.

[bruinfan10]

Do you have federal clerkship credentials? Given that you say you "wouldn't mind clerking for" a federal judge, and assuming he's a full AIII judge, I'm guessing that you don't know what you're talking about. But I might be wrong--just post a little more information if it's a serious question.

Generally, if he's a flyover/low rung d.ct judge, but you want to litigate in that area, it's a great option...if he's a d.ct judge in a solid district, it's a great option for pretty much any litigation career, and if he's a COA judge, HYS kids are probably fighting for that job. So yeah, "I wouldn't mind" the job either, and if you have the appropriate high-end credentials, I'd def try to maximize your extant personal connection and talk to your school's career office/check out the TLS clerkship forum for information on how to apply for a federal clerkship.

Doing a clerkship that gives you experience in your primary area of expertise makes the most sense. I guess clerkships in "solid district" are better than flyover districts, but it really depends on the type of work you're doing. People don't give a shit that you clerked on SDNY over WDVA. The give a shit that you worked on high-profile, complex securities cases or whatever else is going on in the SDNY.

This seems like unnecessary pedantry? He said the judge was in PA. Eastern District of Pennsylvania is a big name rocket-docket that ABSOLUTELY means more to a lot of high-end employers than might the District of Idaho (and obviously well-known/competitive districts have the name because there's something unique/significant about their dockets). Clerking in a no-name district where you don't want to practice in this economic climate can be a bad move if you have the option of working for a firm in your permanent market--district court clerkships are less portable now than they once were.

Edit: You might have been confused about what I meant by "area"--I meant geographical area, but I guess you're right that some district courts see a higher volume of cases in one "area of law" than another. That's not true for most districts, and more specifically that's probably not a situation applicable to any of the PA d.cts. We're not talking N.D. Cal patent dockets or SDNY securities lit.

My post wasn't unnecessarily pedantic because you gave the impression in your initial post that certain districts are good because they're generally perceived as better or more competitive to get. That's not it at all. Like you just clarified, certain districts are better because of their dockets, judges, etc. Judicial districts are not like law schools where every law school basically gives you the same thing but certain law schools just carry different clout. Judicial clerkships are valuable because of the experience they give you, and clerkships in some districts undeniably give you better experience than in other districts.

I completely agree with you, my apologies. I would also just add that, even if there's nothing particularly notable about the district (say N.D. Ohio), but you want to practice in Cleveland, it can still be a fantastic career move. That's what I meant by the reference to "flyover districts" being okay if you're interested in that particular geographic area.

[bruinfan10]

OP here,


He is in the WDPA. And yes, I do not know what I'm talking about - all I know is that I had a good relationship with him while in undergrad and I believe he would remember me. I am asking if, and how, I should pursue a clerkship with him.

The "if" being, he is only a d.ct judge in WDPA ... I don't really see my self living there in the future, although it is a fairly large city.

The "how" being, would a mere email suffice, or should I write him a letter, or apply via oscar?

Hey OP--thanks for the clarification--if you want to litigate, and you already have credentials strong enough to land you a solid firm job, a WDPA clerkship might not make you much more desirable to biglaw than you already are, but it certainly doesn't hurt, and more importantly it would give you phenomenal experience (if you're interested in work for the government later on down the line, it helps with that as well). If you're not already competitive for a firm job, my understanding is that a nondescript district court gig doesn't automatically gild you anymore, but again, it certainly doesn't hurt, and it's a hell of a lot better than unemployment. Obviously I don't know your debt situation, but if I were you, I'd apply for the clerkship.

Regarding how to apply, I think the most conservative/safest option is to apply through regular channels (either paper app or OSCAR--I always did paper, but it's up to you), and to mention the courses you took with the judge/your personal connection in your cover letter. I guarantee you the screening clerk will mention a detail like that to the judge, and it might well get your app pulled out of the stack. That said, if you have previously been in email contact with the judge, and you don't think it would offend him or come off as strange to email him saying you recently sent in a clerkship application--and only you can gauge that, based on the details of your relationship--that method would probably be more sure to get his attention. I'd stick with the cover letter approach personally, especially if you have the credentials to be competitive anyway. If your credentials are weak and you feel like you need a hail mary to get him to look at your application, that might be a different story.

[Anonymous User]

OP here,


He is in the WDPA. And yes, I do not know what I'm talking about - all I know is that I had a good relationship with him while in undergrad and I believe he would remember me. I am asking if, and how, I should pursue a clerkship with him.

The "if" being, he is only a d.ct judge in WDPA ... I don't really see my self living there in the future, although it is a fairly large city.

The "how" being, would a mere email suffice, or should I write him a letter, or apply via oscar?

Hey OP--thanks for the clarification--if you want to litigate, and you already have credentials strong enough to land you a solid firm job, a WDPA clerkship might not make you much more desirable to biglaw than you already are, but it certainly doesn't hurt, and more importantly it would give you phenomenal experience (if you're interested in work for the government later on down the line, it helps with that as well). If you're not already competitive for a firm job, my understanding is that a nondescript district court gig doesn't automatically gild you anymore, but again, it certainly doesn't hurt, and it's a hell of a lot better than unemployment. Obviously I don't know your debt situation, but if I were you, I'd apply for the clerkship.

Regarding how to apply, I think the most conservative/safest option is to apply through regular channels (either paper app or OSCAR--I always did paper, but it's up to you), and to mention the courses you took with the judge/your personal connection in your cover letter. I guarantee you the screening clerk will mention a detail like that to the judge, and it might well get your app pulled out of the stack. That said, if you have previously been in email contact with the judge, and you don't think it would offend him or come off as strange to email him saying you recently sent in a clerkship application--and only you can gauge that, based on the details of your relationship--that method would probably be more sure to get his attention. I'd stick with the cover letter approach personally, especially if you have the credentials to be competitive anyway. If your credentials are weak and you feel like you need a hail mary to get him to look at your application, that might be a different story.

Wow, great response. Thanks, Ill definitely take your advice to heart

/thread