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Rising 3L coming off SA. Will receive class year bump at firm on basis of relevant prior experience, and I am wondering how the bump will likely impact the firm's expectations for my performance.

Specifically, I am considering applying to clerk during the term beginning after my first full year at the firm (not a shoo-in candidate by any means, but reasonably competitive). If I did clerk, I would likely return to the same firm afterwards -- in effect, I would be returning at a fourth-year salary with one year of law firm experience and one year of clerking experience. I know this firm has high competency expectations for mid-level associates and has had trouble in the past with laterals and former clerks not being able to keep up with the day-to-day.

Does clerking sound like a potential liability in this scenario? The prestige and networking are clear positives, but clerking would put me two class years ahead of my actual law firm experience level, and I am concerned that my skills may prove to be underdeveloped coming off the clerkship.

I recognize that this particular fact pattern probably does not play out too often, but any information related to competency expectations after clerkships or class year bumps would be helpful.

Please do not quote. Thanks.

Bump. Even tangentially related advice/information would be helpful.

Has your firm told you that they would give you a year of credit for your clerkship, or are you just speculating? Many firms will award class credit to get out of years 1 and 2; if you clerk after that, you might get a bonus, but you won't get additional credit.

If they are going to award you credit, and you're worried about meeting expectations, you could likely decline the promotion and just return as a third year anyway. I can't imagine clerking hurting you, it just might slow down your advancement.

Has your firm told you that they would give you a year of credit for your clerkship, or are you just speculating? Many firms will award class credit to get out of years 1 and 2; if you clerk after that, you might get a bonus, but you won't get additional credit.

If they are going to award you credit, and you're worried about meeting expectations, you could likely decline the promotion and just return as a third year anyway. I can't imagine clerking hurting you, it just might slow down your advancement.

Good info -- thank you. Goal is advancing as quickly as possible, so clerking would primarily be to improve marketability/ability to bring in business down the road. My instinct is that clerking would risk sacrificing the class year bump I have secured, so I have been leaning toward not applying. It sounds like you agree that losing a year of advancement would be a likely result.

One more bump seeking another opinion.

I never understand why people want the class year bump. It puts you one year closer to getting squeezed out and your performance will be measured against associates who have a full year more experience than you.

A class bump has negatives. Firms bill higher rates for your hours, making you less attractive for work.