On Campus Interviewing with a Clerkship Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is having a clerkship in hand a good thing when interviewing on campus? If so, how much of a good thing? Obviously, it is a major credential, but it also means you will not be full time at the firm for 30 months. How much does it matter that I want to go into a field that takes a lot of clerks?

[Anonymous User]

Is having a clerkship in hand a good thing when interviewing on campus? If so, how much of a good thing? Obviously, it is a major credential, but it also means you will not be full time at the firm for 30 months. How much does it matter that I want to go into a field that takes a lot of clerks?

I didn't have a clerkship going into OCI so I'm speaking strictly as an interveiwer. If you're interviewing with a firm that has a de facto expectation that its associates will clerk (e.g. W&C, Susman, Kellogg, etc), then mention it. Otherwise, I would feel it out during the interview. If you're interviewing with a litigator that has clerked, ask them about their experience and lead into it that way. If you're interviewing with someone who hasn't clerked, I would steer clear until you get an offer.

[Anonymous User]

Is having a clerkship in hand a good thing when interviewing on campus? If so, how much of a good thing? Obviously, it is a major credential, but it also means you will not be full time at the firm for 30 months. How much does it matter that I want to go into a field that takes a lot of clerks?

I didn't have a clerkship going into OCI so I'm speaking strictly as an interveiwer. If you're interviewing with a firm that has a de facto expectation that its associates will clerk (e.g. W&C, Susman, Kellogg, etc), then mention it. Otherwise, I would feel it out during the interview. If you're interviewing with a litigator that has clerked, ask them about their experience and lead into it that way. If you're interviewing with someone who hasn't clerked, I would steer clear until you get an offer.

OP here. Thanks for the info. What do you think about putting the clerkship on my resume? I believe I only get one version, so I can't mix and match. FWIW my clerkship is a COA clerkship, and I plan on applying mostly to firms that would expect a clerkship.

[floatie]

Personally, I would mention it. Having a COA clerkship is a signal that you're an extremely strong/desirable candidate and firms with strong litigation practices want to be able to showcase the prestige of their associates and partners. Reputable firms are very comfortable and familiar with adjusting start/return dates around clerkships.

[Anonymous User]

Is having a clerkship in hand a good thing when interviewing on campus? If so, how much of a good thing? Obviously, it is a major credential, but it also means you will not be full time at the firm for 30 months. How much does it matter that I want to go into a field that takes a lot of clerks?

I didn't have a clerkship going into OCI so I'm speaking strictly as an interveiwer. If you're interviewing with a firm that has a de facto expectation that its associates will clerk (e.g. W&C, Susman, Kellogg, etc), then mention it. Otherwise, I would feel it out during the interview. If you're interviewing with a litigator that has clerked, ask them about their experience and lead into it that way. If you're interviewing with someone who hasn't clerked, I would steer clear until you get an offer.

OP here. Thanks for the info. What do you think about putting the clerkship on my resume? I believe I only get one version, so I can't mix and match. FWIW my clerkship is a COA clerkship, and I plan on applying mostly to firms that would expect a clerkship.

If you only get one version of your resume, then you should definitely include it. Like the other poster mentioned, a COA clerkship is a big deal and my earlier advice about omitting the clerkship was in case you had to interview with corporate partners who lit partners who didn't clerk and disparage it (I've encountered more of this type than I expected during my career) so you could maximize your offers.