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I'm exiting a 2 year district court clerkship this fall. My SA firm (V50; major market) stated it will give 1 yr credit for my clerkship, so I will be classified as below class-year. They say this can be "negotiated" later in my career. Is this typical? Thinking about applying to other firms if not.

Yes, it’s typical. Not universal, but not at all uncommon.

Some people actually ask for this so that there is more time before they're up for partner.

Anonymous User wrote:I'm exiting a 2 year district court clerkship this fall. My SA firm (V50; major market) stated it will give 1 yr credit for my clerkship, so I will be classified as below class-year. They say this can be "negotiated" later in my career. Is this typical? Thinking about applying to other firms if not.

Not unheard of but also far from universal. If you’re not attached to your firm I would try to apply elsewhere. I don’t know it systematically but my strong impression is that the the more status conscious litigation firms and most profitable firms are the ones that are more likely to give full class credit.

Less money now, but another year on the runway... would be ok by me. Also, unless you have prior firm experience, there is a lot of stuff you will have zero clue how to do (mostly discovery stuff). Of course, you may get to bypass some of that due to your two years clerking; but definitely not all of it.

RaceJudicata wrote:Less money now, but another year on the runway... would be ok by me. Also, unless you have prior firm experience, there is a lot of stuff you will have zero clue how to do (mostly discovery stuff). Of course, you may get to bypass some of that due to your two years clerking; but definitely not all of it.

I’m the same anon who suggested looking elsewhere. I understand this logic, but I don’t really agree with it. In 2018, a 3rd year will make almost $50k more than a 2nd year depending on how bonuses shake out. You’re also probably not going to stick around to make partner anyway. $50k (and rising over time) is a lot to give up to get another year on the runway.

Also, in my limited experience, while you’re expected to learn faster, people still understand you’re new to a firm even if you’re being paid at a higher class level. And you will also likely pick things up faster than a first year because the clerkship genuinely is valuable legal experience. (It’s not solely pure credentialing that firms are cool with you clerking and coming back.)

This is pretty standard.