When to Bring Up Clerking Forum

[Anonymous User]

Incoming summer associate at NYC V40. I am very interested in clerking. When would it be appropriate to start talking about this with my firm? Thanks!

[LBJ's Hair]

when you secure a clerkship?

[Anonymous User]

when you secure a clerkship?

You wouldn’t find out what your firm’s policy was before applying?

Edit: I’m not trying to sound rude. I’m generally asking. I would have thought that one should understand the firm’s policy before pursuing a clerkship, but that could be shortsighted.

[anonymous117]

My firm had a info session for us about it during my summer. Even if yours doesn’t, look at bios for attorneys at the firm who have clerked, ask them to lunch or coffee, and then tell them you’re interested in maybe applying one day, what’s the firm’s policy? People will be open about it. There probably is some formal policy you can find on the company’s intranet too.

[Iowahawk]

when you secure a clerkship?

You wouldn’t find out what your firm’s policy was before applying?

Edit: I’m not trying to sound rude. I’m generally asking. I would have thought that one should understand the firm’s policy before pursuing a clerkship, but that could be shortsighted.

I don't get what you mean by your firm's "policy"; at an NY V40, it's probably public and probably something like "class year advancement plus clerkship bonus." It's also common to extend deadlines for offers while people clerk for conflicts reasons. Is there something else you want to know? Students generally don't talk to their firm about clerking until after they've secured a clerkship. Assuming you'll be applying on the plan, if you get a clerkship, it will probably be in the middle of your summer program, which is a natural time to talk to your firm about any arrangements that need to be made.

[LBJ's Hair]

when you secure a clerkship?

You wouldn’t find out what your firm’s policy was before applying?

Edit: I’m not trying to sound rude. I’m generally asking. I would have thought that one should understand the firm’s policy before pursuing a clerkship, but that could be shortsighted.

my perspective is basically - (1) your number one priority as a summer associate is getting the offer; (2) telling your (hopefully) future employer that you're actively looking for another job isn't gonna make them more likely to hire you; and (3) the stuff you want to know - do you ever pull offers from people who leave - they're not gonna tell you. (the $$$ stuff is all google-able, your V40 is almost certainly doing w/e market is at this point)

so like, why bring it up until you have to? clerking can be great, but it's really a personal/professional decision you make for you.

at least that's how I viewed it.

[moxcoal]

There's not really a policy. Firms overwhelmingly see it as a plus, assuming you're litigation. Bring it up whenever you want, after you secure it of course.. You don't need to tell anyone you're applying unless you're interested in a recommendation.

[Anonymous User]

(2) telling your (hopefully) future employer that you're actively looking for another job isn't gonna make them more likely to hire you

This isn't quite as simple as just "looking for another job." Clerkships are overwhelmingly viewed as a positive, and it's very common for associates to delay their start date (or to take a year off, and then come back) in order to clerk. Obviously YMMV and it's usually a good idea to talk to a trusted associate or partner before letting people know that you're clerking (or planning to), but very few firms will hold a clerkship against you. When I was a summer at a V5 (pre-COVID), it was very common for summers to take days off here and there to travel to clerkships, and they were all pretty open about it and the firm offered mock interviews. Similarly, it was pretty common for junior associates to let people know that they were leaving for a year to clerk, and usually those juniors got better work assignments because people wanted to make sure those associates came back to the firm post-clerkship.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

(2) telling your (hopefully) future employer that you're actively looking for another job isn't gonna make them more likely to hire you

This isn't quite as simple as just "looking for another job." Clerkships are overwhelmingly viewed as a positive, and it's very common for associates to delay their start date (or to take a year off, and then come back) in order to clerk. Obviously YMMV and it's usually a good idea to talk to a trusted associate or partner before letting people know that you're clerking (or planning to), but very few firms will hold a clerkship against you. When I was a summer at a V5 (pre-COVID), it was very common for summers to take days off here and there to travel to clerkships, and they were all pretty open about it and the firm offered mock interviews. Similarly, it was pretty common for junior associates to let people know that they were leaving for a year to clerk, and usually those juniors got better work assignments because people wanted to make sure those associates came back to the firm post-clerkship.

When I was a summer, I actually asked a senior associate about clerking, and he basically said what LBJ said. "Dude, focus on getting an offer here. If you land a clerkship, great. Talk to the firm about it then. But don't signal that you're out applying for another job." I imagine things are different at firms that put a huge emphasis on clerkships. But if you're at one of those firms, I don't think you need to go out of your way to ask anyone about how the firm views clerking - you'll know because the firm will make sure you know. Just my thoughts.

[C-money]

At the firm where I spent last summer (V10, prominent for litigation), the majority of associates clerk. The firm was extremely supportive of both applying and deferring our return offers. Summers were transparent about applying and the firm organized clerkship panels for us. If your firm is similar, I would feel comfortable being completely open about it.

If your firm is more corporate-focused, you might want to try a different approach - though I can't imagine the firm not being supportive of you doing an AIII clerkship if you want to be a litigator.

[LBJ's Hair]

(2) telling your (hopefully) future employer that you're actively looking for another job isn't gonna make them more likely to hire you

This isn't quite as simple as just "looking for another job." Clerkships are overwhelmingly viewed as a positive, and it's very common for associates to delay their start date (or to take a year off, and then come back) in order to clerk. Obviously YMMV and it's usually a good idea to talk to a trusted associate or partner before letting people know that you're clerking (or planning to), but very few firms will hold a clerkship against you. When I was a summer at a V5 (pre-COVID), it was very common for summers to take days off here and there to travel to clerkships, and they were all pretty open about it and the firm offered mock interviews. Similarly, it was pretty common for junior associates to let people know that they were leaving for a year to clerk, and usually those juniors got better work assignments because people wanted to make sure those associates came back to the firm post-clerkship.

yes that's all true once you get the clerkship. my advice is for summer associates who do not have clerkships - that it's better to be discreet because you don't have a job there, or for that matter a clerkship.

look at it like being a guest. everyone likes the person who's enthusiastic and grateful to be there. be that person. once you get the clerkship, you can tell people and they'll be happy for you. (this applies in my experience equally if not moreso to places where everyone clerks)

[12YrsAnAssociate]

This has been alluded to, but it's worth mentioning that until you actually land a clerkship, it's probably not wise to assume you will necessarily land a clerkship. Strike outs happen even for solid clerkship candidates. I think this is another reason to be discreet.

[addie1412]

At my summer firm, which was an all-transactional office of a V20, people spoke pretty freely about clerkships. Recruiting even circulated a survey of sorts asking summers whether they were interested in pursuing clerkships. I imagine that at firms where a substantial portion of summers come from T14s, clerkships are inevitably going to be part of the conversation. If that describes your firm, then you'll know it's ok to talk about it. Otherwise, maybe secure one first.