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First off, whatever way you go on this, good luck, this is tough. Some questions that might push you one way or another: Do you actually think this firm would hold an offer (a lot of smaller firms can't or won't do this)? Can you be more upfront with your contact and see what they think re: holding offer or whether they would even want you to renege on a clerkship (because it wouldn't just be your reputation with the judge that is at play)? Do you think you'd be able to talk this over with your judge (given the amount of time before start of 2019 term, the judge may be supportive as he wouldn't be left completely high and dry)? Ultimately, there are risks on every side here, including in trying to get more complete information or trying to get an offer without being more upfront with the firm. So is it worth it to even open us this can of worms? If you don't think it is, I'd say be upfront with the firm and see if they're willing to make/hold an offer for after your clerkship and if not, just be prepared to go through with this clerkship.

BlackAndOrange84 wrote:First off, whatever way you go on this, good luck, this is tough. Some questions that might push you one way or another: Do you actually think this firm would hold an offer (a lot of smaller firms can't or won't do this)? Can you be more upfront with your contact and see what they think re: holding offer or whether they would even want you to renege on a clerkship (because it wouldn't just be your reputation with the judge that is at play)? Do you think you'd be able to talk this over with your judge (given the amount of time before start of 2019 term, the judge may be supportive as he wouldn't be left completely high and dry)? Ultimately, there are risks on every side here, including in trying to get more complete information or trying to get an offer without being more upfront with the firm. So is it worth it to even open us this can of worms? If you don't think it is, I'd say be upfront with the firm and see if they're willing to make/hold an offer for after your clerkship and if not, just be prepared to go through with this clerkship.

Thank you so much for the reply. It's not a tiny firm but not BL either so I'm not sure re the holding. I could be more upfront with the contact I'm just scared of burning that bridge. I'm not sure about talking it over with the judge. I could see it going either way. I guess I could go to an interview, see if I even get an offer and then bring it up. But will that reflect poorly on me? Both with the firm in general and with the contact? Or do you think they might understand?

Anonymous User wrote:I could be more upfront with the contact I'm just scared of burning that bridge.

Don't be scared of burning that bridge. Your contact will be more annoyed by you declining an offer after they interviewed you than by you asking for advice this early in the process.

totesTheGoat wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I could be more upfront with the contact I'm just scared of burning that bridge.

Don't be scared of burning that bridge. Your contact will be more annoyed by you declining an offer after they interviewed you than by you asking for advice this early in the process.

This. If you want to interview with the firm, you should be upfront with them. It will not reflect well on you to conceal throughout the interview process that you have a clerkship lined up and that you need them to hold your offer or would have to renege to join the firm.