Going to big law from a clerkship w/ no firm experience Forum

[ferdor]

I thought I was going to go the public interest route, but now after a state appellate clerkship and federal district court clerkship, I have decided that its time to cash out and try big law. The only problem is that my resume SCREAMS public interest/government work. Any advice on how to navigate the process? Anyone else in a similar situation? Will firms ding me for never working at a firm? Is a vault 100 firm realistic?

[Anonymous User]

You’re making the right decision. My resume screamed a specific kind of public sector/interest work. Relatedly, I never was a private sector associate during LS. Fed d court clerk then Went to government for like 2 years. After about one year, I started doing an epic job search for a lateral biglaw position. Took about a year and now I’m in market biglaw, but man it would have been easier if I had done it in the other order.

You’re in much better shape than I was. Clerking is way more applicable to biglaw. Just do a ton of networking, apply to junior lateral positions, find out who hires post clerkship, offer to be flexible on entering class year. It might take a bit but you’ll get it. You should also be looking to PI as a backup, in case your biglaw search lasts beyond the end of your clerkship.

[QContinuum]

You’re making the right decision. My resume screamed a specific kind of public sector/interest work. Relatedly, I never was a private sector associate during LS. Fed d court clerk then Went to government for like 2 years. After about one year, I started doing an epic job search for a lateral biglaw position. Took about a year and now I’m in market biglaw, but man it would have been easier if I had done it in the other order.

You’re in much better shape than I was. Clerking is way more applicable to biglaw. Just do a ton of networking, apply to junior lateral positions, find out who hires post clerkship, offer to be flexible on entering class year. It might take a bit but you’ll get it. You should also be looking to PI as a backup, in case your biglaw search lasts beyond the end of your clerkship.

Seconding the above. Adding that OP can also consider trying for a CoA clerkship (in parallel). Having CoA on the resume should make BigLaw relatively easy to get.

[ferdor]

Thank for you the responses so far.

When I started law school I envisioned working for the DOJ or a non profit that does impact litigation. But 1. Trump won, and 2. Getting a job at some of the prestigious impact lit orgs seems harder to get than big law.

@QContinuum, I am open to a COA clerkship but it is not going to be isn't easy. Some more context about me, I am black male, and really worked my connects to get these two clerkships. My grades suggest that I am punching above my weight class. Also my fed D.Ct clerkship is in a fly over state and not in the location where I want to practice or in one of the more sexy districts.

[QContinuum]

Thank for you the responses so far.

When I started law school I envisioned working for the DOJ or a non profit that does impact litigation. But 1. Trump won, and 2. Getting a job at some of the prestigious impact lit orgs seems harder to get than big law.

@QContinuum, I am open to a COA clerkship but it is not going to be isn't easy. Some more context about me, I am black male, and really worked my connects to get these two clerkships. My grades suggest that I am punching above my weight class. Also my fed D.Ct clerkship is in a fly over state and not in the location where I want to practice or in one of the more sexy districts.

Yes, prestigious impact lit (ACLU, NAACP) is definitely harder to get than BigLaw.

Your chances will be boosted with a District Court clerkship under your belt. Is your judge close with any CoA judges? If so, massive boost. There may also be CoA judges with an eye to diversity who'll give you a URM boost in hiring. You probably won't want to shoot for a "competitive" CoA like 2/9/DC; your best shot will probably be in the circuit covering your District Court.

[Anonymous User]

I think the general advice from the clerkship hiring threads is that a district court clerkship helps slightly with biglaw hiring, but given that the clerkship was in a fly over state and not where you want to practice, I don't think offers will fall onto your lap. That said, being an URM will definitely help -- firms definitely feel pressure to increase diversity in the associate ranks.

My advice would be to apply early and broadly. I don't know what market you want to practice in, but you'll probably have much more success in a big market like NY than in smaller markets or in more competitive markets (e.g., DC).

If you're looking at NY, I think a V100 firm is definitely possible. Networking with law school alumni, former clerks from your district court, etc., will all be helpful. Assuming you're clerking now, get your application materials ready and begin applying in December/January -- you want to beat the wave of recruiting events that happen in NY early in the new year.