Top Law Schools

I have an offer for a government honors program, and just received a clerkship interview request. I stopped applying to clerkships when I got the position, but had some applications outstanding. I would rather clerk at this point, but don't want to burn a bridge with the agency. Has anyone done this? What are the repercussions? I feel guilty for even considering it, but it's a great opportunity.

You have cover in the hiring freeze and the clerkship will preserve eligibility. Do it

Agencies love clerkships. You should be fine so long as you explain that you are only dropping because of the clerkship.

Anonymous User wrote:I have an offer for a government honors program, and just received a clerkship interview request. I stopped applying to clerkships when I got the position, but had some applications outstanding. I would rather clerk at this point, but don't want to burn a bridge with the agency. Has anyone done this? What are the repercussions? I feel guilty for even considering it, but it's a great opportunity.

The government generally is not keeping permanent offers people accepted in good faith(though Honors decisions haven't been announced) I wouldn't think twice about the clerkship.

It really depends on what you want out of your career.

If you have an honors offer that isn't affected by the freeze and your career aspiration is to be a government lawyer, then you should take the offer. At the end of the day, although it is true that if you clerk you can apply next year, the landscape of the honors programs next year will be rather uncertain with the current administration. Plus, although clerking gives you an advantage in hiring, there are still many clerks applying with you so things could still be a crapshoot.

If your offer is affected by the freeze, or you've always wanted to clerk, or you'd like to keep your options open in regards to working for the private sector, then take the clerkship. You will not burn bridges with the agency, just mention that it is for a clerkship and you will love to apply the following year.

globetrotter659 wrote:Agencies love clerkships. You should be fine so long as you explain that you are only dropping because of the clerkship.

Yes. My agency only hired clerks this past cycle. However, those were not the only clerks that applied. I want to say about 35% of the applications came from clerks, so definitely not a sure shot when agency hiring is only at 5-10% of applications. I agree it helps though.

OP here. Thank you for the responses.

My agency is not affected by the freeze.