Judicial Internship Networking Forum

[BNA]

2L, medium grades, medium school, medium judicial summer internship, medium city. Looking for advice on ways to capitalize on the proximity to the legal community and find a job. My concern is I'll be stuck in chambers writing all day and not have the chance to shake hands or really sell myself in any way.

[RaceJudicata]

State or fed court? My fed court externship was super chill and i could "work" remotely. Set up meetings and networking/interviews and work around them if possible. Judge prob won't know you are gone.

[Anonymous User]

Our externs are stuck in chambers writing most of the day (it's kind of what you signed up for) but they can attend hearings and be out for scheduled interviews and events.

[favabeansoup]

My concern is I'll be stuck in chambers writing all day and not have the chance to shake hands or really sell myself in any way.

If your judge is friendly spend your time capitalizing on that friendship. I interned with a judge who went out of his way each summer to call in favors and set kids up with interviews around town.

[BNA]

State or fed court? My fed court externship was super chill and i could "work" remotely. Set up meetings and networking/interviews and work around them if possible. Judge prob won't know you are gone.

State, but he's a pillar of the city. Will hopefully become a lasting point of contact. Just have to weigh impressing him vs taking time to shop myself around.

[Anonymous User]

State or fed court? My fed court externship was super chill and i could "work" remotely. Set up meetings and networking/interviews and work around them if possible. Judge prob won't know you are gone.

State, but he's a pillar of the city. Will hopefully become a lasting point of contact. Just have to weigh impressing him vs taking time to shop myself around.

Definitely prioritize impressing the "pillar of the city" that you'll actually be producing work product for.

[Anonymous User]

State or fed court? My fed court externship was super chill and i could "work" remotely. Set up meetings and networking/interviews and work around them if possible. Judge prob won't know you are gone.

State, but he's a pillar of the city. Will hopefully become a lasting point of contact. Just have to weigh impressing him vs taking time to shop myself around.

Definitely prioritize impressing the "pillar of the city" that you'll actually be producing work product for.

^This. I had a federal judicial internship, worked really hard, and am still in close contact with the judge. I text the law clerks, and have amazing relationships with everyone in chambers. They were all so willing to go to bat for me and so helpful and encouraging during my job search. One law clerk literally offered to proof-read networking emails for me. It wasn't because they saw me desperately hustling...it was because they saw the quality of work I turned in and that motivated them to put themselves out their for me. Granted, it might be a different scenario if your judge doesn't care as much.

[Anonymous User]

State or fed court? My fed court externship was super chill and i could "work" remotely. Set up meetings and networking/interviews and work around them if possible. Judge prob won't know you are gone.

State, but he's a pillar of the city. Will hopefully become a lasting point of contact. Just have to weigh impressing him vs taking time to shop myself around.

Definitely prioritize impressing the "pillar of the city" that you'll actually be producing work product for.

^This. I had a federal judicial internship, worked really hard, and am still in close contact with the judge. I text the law clerks, and have amazing relationships with everyone in chambers. They were all so willing to go to bat for me and so helpful and encouraging during my job search. One law clerk literally offered to proof-read networking emails for me. It wasn't because they saw me desperately hustling...it was because they saw the quality of work I turned in and that motivated them to put themselves out their for me. Granted, it might be a different scenario if your judge doesn't care as much.

I'm the quoted anon - that's exactly what I was thinking. Even if OP's judge and his clerks aren't quite as helpful as yours, a good recommendation from a well-respected judge is a lot better than him not remembering you or having a negative opinion. (As a 2L I also found the idea that I had much to "sell" to most firms kind of funny and I didn't do much handshaking as a result, but that's partially a difference of personal style and possibly market.)

[RaceJudicata]

I think this all really depends on the judge. Some judges don't even now they have an extern, or just exchange simple pleasantries. In my fed district (think D NJ, D MA, ND ILL, ED PA), myself and friends' in other chambers judges barely met their judges. Not complaining - it was still a great experience, but not a networking experience. "Pillar of the community" may be a lifelong resource, but it also may just be a friendly face (who forgets your friendly face within a year).

[navykev]

Cultivate your relationship with the judge!

[Anonymous User]

As a former district court clerk, I can say one of the quickest ways to alienate chambers is to come in and make it obvious that you are there for networking purposes more than learning purposes. That is not to say you shouldn't network--you absolutely should. But doing good work should be your first priority.

[Anonymous User]

Cultivate your relationship with the judge!

And the clerks. The clerks have friends clerking in other chambers, working for firms in town, etc. They are good people to know.