Elite Lit Boutique Summer Programs Forum

[Anonymous User]

Since lit boutiques like Kellogg Hansen and others don't typically do OCI, or at least they don't at my school, does anyone know if they are pushing back their hiring to winter, or if they are starting recruitment for Summer 2021 now?

I have qualifications that I hope wouldn't get immediately laughed at (T6, 4.0 equivalent grades, semi-feeder clerkship after graduation, SA at V10 firm now) and don't want to miss any potential opportunities, but I also have no connections either. Posting anon because the information I've given could out me to my firm.

[Anonymous User]

Current COA clerk who interviewed with multiple lit boutiques during my clerkship year. I’m assuming you’re a rising 2L. You should keep in mind that many elite boutiques don’t have a formal summer program and primarily recruit clerks (while they are clerking). Your chambers will receive letters from these firms in the fall inviting you to apply, and you should expect to put in applications sometime between November and January (depends a bit on the firm and market). So if you don’t end up at a boutique for 2L summer, you’ll have another (much better) opportunity while you are clerking.

[Anonymous User]

are those recruitment letters sent to all/most circuit judge chambers? e.g. 6/8/10/11 just as much as 2/9/DC?

[Anonymous User]

Current COA clerk who interviewed with multiple lit boutiques during my clerkship year. I’m assuming you’re a rising 2L. You should keep in mind that many elite boutiques don’t have a formal summer program and primarily recruit clerks (while they are clerking). Your chambers will receive letters from these firms in the fall inviting you to apply, and you should expect to put in applications sometime between November and January (depends a bit on the firm and market). So if you don’t end up at a boutique for 2L summer, you’ll have another (much better) opportunity while you are clerking.

OP here. I am a rising 2L and I am aware they primarily hire during the clerkship. I heard that some of them (Susman, Kellogg, I don't know of any others) have a 2-4 week program after your summer at another firm, which sounded perfect for what I was looking for next summer. I am in a very good position, I just don't want to miss out on anything due to lack of knowledge and COVID.

[Anonymous User]

are those recruitment letters sent to all/most circuit judge chambers? e.g. 6/8/10/11 just as much as 2/9/DC?

COA clerk from above. I’m on CA2 (though not in NYC). Can’t speak to other circuits.

[Anonymous User]

Current COA clerk who interviewed with multiple lit boutiques during my clerkship year. I’m assuming you’re a rising 2L. You should keep in mind that many elite boutiques don’t have a formal summer program and primarily recruit clerks (while they are clerking). Your chambers will receive letters from these firms in the fall inviting you to apply, and you should expect to put in applications sometime between November and January (depends a bit on the firm and market). So if you don’t end up at a boutique for 2L summer, you’ll have another (much better) opportunity while you are clerking.

OP here. I am a rising 2L and I am aware they primarily hire during the clerkship. I heard that some of them (Susman, Kellogg, I don't know of any others) have a 2-4 week program after your summer at another firm, which sounded perfect for what I was looking for next summer. I am in a very good position, I just don't want to miss out on anything due to lack of knowledge and COVID.

Gotcha. If this thread doesn’t produce a definitive answer, I wouldn’t be shy about cold emailing an associate at those firms who is an alum of your school.

[Anonymous User]

You're right that Susman has a summer program that is at least compatible with doing after several weeks at another firm, although I do not know if it only works that way. And Kellogg also often has people who spend a few weeks during a summer. But I cannot tell you about what their hiring looks like this cycle.

[Anonymous User]

I was an SA at one of the programs mentioned in this thread and interviewed at another. I don't have any inside info, but can offer some guidance worth what you paid for it.

Susman participates in OCI at a handful of schools and my guess is that they'll do so this year. If they don't come to OCI at your school then you should email them directly with your cover letter, resume, etc. Kellogg to my knowledge doesn't hire for their one-month program using OCI, so just shoot them your information when you're ready. They do the first round of interviews over the phone anyway, so I think they just having rolling hires through the late summer. You could email and ask if they are currently hiring, but it probably doesn't hurt to just email them your materials. Other firms (e.g. Wilkinson Walsh) I think hire on an ad hoc basis for summer positions. You should feel free to email them and ask, but again, I might just email them my packet of info regardless.

[Anonymous User]

are those recruitment letters sent to all/most circuit judge chambers? e.g. 6/8/10/11 just as much as 2/9/DC?

I clerked on one of those first 4 circuits (strikes me as a new level of law student neuroticism to further stratify the circuits beyond 2/9/DC deification as it is, but anyway), and we received recruiting materials in chambers from Kellogg and couple other lit boutiques. I don’t specifically recall materials from Susman.

[Anonymous User]

are those recruitment letters sent to all/most circuit judge chambers? e.g. 6/8/10/11 just as much as 2/9/DC?

I clerked on one of those first 4 circuits (strikes me as a new level of law student neuroticism to further stratify the circuits beyond 2/9/DC deification as it is, but anyway), and we received recruiting materials in chambers from Kellogg and couple other lit boutiques. I don’t specifically recall materials from Susman.

I clerked for the 9th Circuit and for a district court in the 9th Circuit that's not considered very prestigious (not C.D. Cal. or N.D. Cal., more like D. Oregon or E.D. Cal.). Susman sent materials to chambers during both clerkships. My guess is if Susman would send to the district court chambers I was in, it would 100% send to even the most far flung circuit judge chambers.

Susman sent me the same stock rejection letters both years, politely assuring me that my credentials are impressive, but since it is such a small firm it simply cannot interview or hire all applicants.

[Anonymous User]

are those recruitment letters sent to all/most circuit judge chambers? e.g. 6/8/10/11 just as much as 2/9/DC?

I clerked on one of those first 4 circuits (strikes me as a new level of law student neuroticism to further stratify the circuits beyond 2/9/DC deification as it is, but anyway), and we received recruiting materials in chambers from Kellogg and couple other lit boutiques. I don’t specifically recall materials from Susman.

I am clerking on the Sixth and Kellogg sent recruiting materials and even hosted an informational dinner for clerks during one of our Cincinnati oral argument sittings. I also never saw materials from Susman. The only other boutique you might be wondering about that I recall receiving materials from was MoloLamken.

[Anonymous User]

FWIW, Susman NY did not send materials to EDNY in one of the more recent years. Only SDNY/2d Cir. clerks.

[Anonymous User]

SG Associate here: I believe (but don't know 100% sure) that most of our material is sent primarily to federal clerks in the cities where we have offices (and perhaps a few other areas like ND Cal), largely with the impression that those people have the highest likelihood of having an interest in being geographically where we have offices. Obviously not a wholly-accurate measure, but given the logistics of sending something to every clerk and the very few spots we have to fill each year, it's a reasonable approach. In any event, if you have interest, the best thing to do is to start reaching out to people in the office you are interested in. Let people know who you are so that you're not just another name in a pile of applications.

[Anonymous User]

SG Associate here: I believe (but don't know 100% sure) that most of our material is sent primarily to federal clerks in the cities where we have offices (and perhaps a few other areas like ND Cal), largely with the impression that those people have the highest likelihood of having an interest in being geographically where we have offices. Obviously not a wholly-accurate measure, but given the logistics of sending something to every clerk and the very few spots we have to fill each year, it's a reasonable approach. In any event, if you have interest, the best thing to do is to start reaching out to people in the office you are interested in. Let people know who you are so that you're not just another name in a pile of applications.

Noob question but aren't there ethics issues reaching out to attorneys with firms while clerking?

[Anonymous User]

SG Associate here: I believe (but don't know 100% sure) that most of our material is sent primarily to federal clerks in the cities where we have offices (and perhaps a few other areas like ND Cal), largely with the impression that those people have the highest likelihood of having an interest in being geographically where we have offices. Obviously not a wholly-accurate measure, but given the logistics of sending something to every clerk and the very few spots we have to fill each year, it's a reasonable approach. In any event, if you have interest, the best thing to do is to start reaching out to people in the office you are interested in. Let people know who you are so that you're not just another name in a pile of applications.

Noob question but aren't there ethics issues reaching out to attorneys with firms while clerking?

There are ethical issues, but it doesn't preclude the practice described. You have to be very careful about money/receiving gifts and generally need your judge's approval to take an offer during or before a clerkship, but most judges will let you network and interview essentially freely.

[Anonymous User]

SG Associate here: I believe (but don't know 100% sure) that most of our material is sent primarily to federal clerks in the cities where we have offices (and perhaps a few other areas like ND Cal), largely with the impression that those people have the highest likelihood of having an interest in being geographically where we have offices. Obviously not a wholly-accurate measure, but given the logistics of sending something to every clerk and the very few spots we have to fill each year, it's a reasonable approach. In any event, if you have interest, the best thing to do is to start reaching out to people in the office you are interested in. Let people know who you are so that you're not just another name in a pile of applications.

Noob question but aren't there ethics issues reaching out to attorneys with firms while clerking?

There are ethical issues, but it doesn't preclude the practice described. You have to be very careful about money/receiving gifts and generally need your judge's approval to take an offer during or before a clerkship, but most judges will let you network and interview essentially freely.

"Most" being the key word. Clerks should never assume it's ok, but ask their specific judge if it's ok. I know some federal appellate judges, for example, who do not allow their clerks to be interviewing during most of the term, only after a certain point.