Laid Off from Law Clerk Job Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 3L who was previously working full-time / part-time as a law clerk for the past 6 months. I was laid off from my job today. The reason given was that another attorney was now going to be doing my job so they were cutting back on the law clerk pool. I was not fired for cause. I know this sounds petty, but i'm thinking about apply for unemployment compensation. Whats holding me back is that statutorily the commission has to notify the firm I was working at. I don't want to be blackballed but honestly I relied on the income from this job to support myself through school. Is this a shitty idea?

[Rowinguy2009]

I know very little about the law in this area, but I thought full-time students could never receive unemployment comp?

[JuTMSY4]

I know very little about the law in this area, but I thought full-time students could never receive unemployment comp?

I'm a 3L who was previously working full-time / part-time as a law clerk for the past 6 months.

I'm actually a little surprised they kept the lawyer to do a law clerk's job. You'd think it would be the other way around.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I think they made a bad attorney hire and either needed to give her some work or heartlessly fire her after a month. I called and sure enough full-time students are allowed to get unemployment but I'd have to jump through all sorts of hoops. I'm just not going to deal with it.

[fratstar1]

Why would you get blackballed for seeking unemployement? If you end up getting it the worst that will happen is that the firm will see a small increase in there unemployement insurance, which they will chalk up as the cost of doing bussiness. If you dont need the money and have better things to do with your time then jump through the hoops thats one thing, but your not going to be blackballed from an industry because you filed for unemployement when you became unemployed.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I think they made a bad attorney hire and either needed to give her some work or heartlessly fire her after a month. I called and sure enough full-time students are allowed to get unemployment but I'd have to jump through all sorts of hoops. I'm just not going to deal with it.

I did it. It wasn't that many hoops. the "hoop" was sitting on hold for an hour and a half, and then having a voice message come on the phone that says "leave your number and we'll call you back." They called back and I explained my situation, that I was willing and able to look for work, but it had to be at obscure hours due to my class schedule. They were cool with it and I got my unemployment. One note: there is a time period you need to be with the previous employer. 6 months in my state IIRC.

[ggocat]

I know very little about the law in this area, but I thought full-time students could never receive unemployment comp?

I'm a 3L who was previously working full-time / part-time as a law clerk for the past 6 months.

I'm actually a little surprised they kept the lawyer to do a law clerk's job. You'd think it would be the other way around.

A lawyer will bill at a higher rate, thus netting more profit for the partners.

[JuTMSY4]

I know very little about the law in this area, but I thought full-time students could never receive unemployment comp?

I'm a 3L who was previously working full-time / part-time as a law clerk for the past 6 months.

I'm actually a little surprised they kept the lawyer to do a law clerk's job. You'd think it would be the other way around.

A lawyer will bill at a higher rate, thus netting more profit for the partners.

For the work a law clerk did the week before? I suppose it depends on the clients.

[ggocat]

Yeah maybe depends. I maintained relationships with paralegals during the recession and heard stories about associates gobbling up the work previously done by support staff at a large firm. Support staff were the first people cut in layoffs.