Clerkship bonus after working at a firm between two clerkships? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Apologies if this has come up in previous threads (it's hard to find the right keywords to search for this issue), but I'm curious about the bonus implications of clerking, working at a firm for 1-2 years, clerking again, and then applying for a new firm job. Some have told me that people in this position may still receive the 70k clerkship bonus at certain firms (assuming they don't return to the same firm they worked at previously), even if they already received the 50k bonus the first time around. Does anyone know how likely this is to be true, and if there are some firms that are/aren't known for providing the full two-year clerkship bonus in this situation?

I'm considering a COA clerkship in 2018 (currently in district and starting a Biglaw job next year), so I'm also just wondering about my marketability applying for firm jobs the year after that clerkship. By that time, I would technically be coming in as a fifth-year associate, but I'd only have two years of practice experience. Seems like some firms would be reluctant to take me on as a fifth-year with only two years experience...

[Anonymous User]

No idea but I'd love for this to be true since this is basically me right now.

[jbagelboy]

the clerkship bonus eligibility policies I've seen as a general matter only allow for a clerkship bonus if no prior clerkship bonus has been awarded, with case by case exceptions made for second clerkships.

In other words, it's highly unlikely such a scenario would occur where you could receive a $50k bonus in 2017 and then another $50 or $70k bonus in 2019 (unless you were on SCOTUS or maybe federal circuit for a patent lit boutique)

[Anonymous User]

the clerkship bonus eligibility policies I've seen as a general matter only allow for a clerkship bonus if no prior clerkship bonus has been awarded, with case by case exceptions made for second clerkships.

In other words, it's highly unlikely such a scenario would occur where you could receive a $50k bonus in 2017 and then another $50 or $70k bonus in 2019 (unless you were on SCOTUS or maybe federal circuit for a patent lit boutique)

Yeah, I'm aware of the general eligibility policies, but those policies are usually based on a recognition that the firm who already gave you the original bonus is not going to give you an additional bonus just because you left the firm to clerk a second time. I've been told by a couple associates (none of whom actually received any additional bonus this way, admittedly) that when you go to a different firm after leaving your second clerkship, some of those firms will give you the 2-year bonus, in part because they never paid you a bonus previously. I was curious if anyone had any firsthand knowledge of whether this is ever true.

[rpupkin]

Most firms don't have a set "policy" about the situation you're describing. If you go to a a different firm after your second clerkship, your bonus (which could be zero, $50k, or $70K) will be negotiable. Your class year is generally negotiable as well. Many firms won't want to give you credit for the year you spent during your second clerkship, and some firms won't give credit for a partially completed year at another firm. I know folks who set themselves back nearly two years by leaving a firm to do a clerkship. But, again, you can try to negotiate this when you're considering post-clerkship offers.