3L clerk-to-associate gigs Forum

[Anonymous User]

3L in the top 15% at a Chicago TTT (that is, not NU or UChi). Interested in public interest plaintiff's lit and criminal defense, and staying in the city. I've got lots of good writing intensive intern experiences (judges, district court briefs, etc) and a brief stint at the pd. I'm trying to figure out where to work for the spring semester. One option is another writing-intensive public interest agency that looks nice on the resume and I'm interested in but wouldn't be hired at graduation.

I've also been applying to small firms looking for 3L clerks that express the possibility of becoming an associate after the bar. It's mostly personal injury and related shitlaw, but they do some work I'm interested in. Anyone have experience with these types of gigs? Is the possibility of an offer worth the risk of starting out in a shitty PI spot? Also, what's the propriety with interviews for these positions: do you just interview for the clerk gig or can I ask questions about becoming an associate? What about 3L clerk gigs where it's not explicitly said becoming an associate is a possibility -- is the interview too early to ask about that?

There's no way I'd way I'd want to clerk at shops like these if a full time job weren't a possibility. But my thinking is that having a job lined up beats no job, and having a job makes it easier to find another. Am I trying to settle too early?