lateral before a clerkship Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi, I'm currently a 1st year litigation associate at a V20 with a clerkship lined up for fall 2022. I'm considering lateralling to a different firm for about a year before my clerkship starts, and was wondering if this is advisable, assuming that the offer is with a reputable firm.

[Anonymous User]

Hi, I'm currently a 1st year litigation associate at a V20 with a clerkship lined up for fall 2022. I'm considering lateralling to a different firm for about a year before my clerkship starts, and was wondering if this is advisable, assuming that the offer is with a reputable firm.

Is the other firm somewhere you'd like to return to after clerking? (I'm also currently clerking in district court but have a COA lined up next so am generally thinking about this sort of stuff often)

[Anonymous User]

dup

[Anonymous User]

I would probably avoid it unless (a) you see the new firm as a place you would like to work for a couple years after the clerkship, or (b) you are miserable or not getting good work at your current firm.

Clerkships can open up doors, but a firm interviewing you post-clerkship may be wary about hiring you if it would be your third firm and fourth legal job in four years. So absent somewhat compelling circumstances, I would avoid it.

[Anonymous User]

I would probably avoid it unless (a) you see the new firm as a place you would like to work for a couple years after the clerkship, or (b) you are miserable or not getting good work at your current firm.

Clerkships can open up doors, but a firm interviewing you post-clerkship may be wary about hiring you if it would be your third firm and fourth legal job in four years. So absent somewhat compelling circumstances, I would avoid it.

Thanks. This helps. The firm I'm currently working for is more of a corporate powerhouse than a litigation one. Our lit department is generally seen as "okay," and I've been considering lateralling to a more reputable shop to build up my resume. But I see it could definitely come across as a red flag for employers if they see that I worked at two different firms in the period of 3 years.