Worth it to apply to firms for yearlong gap between clerkships? Forum

[Anonymous User]

As the title suggests, I have a yearlong gap between two federal clerkships (currently on one). Would it be worth it to apply to firms? I realize they probably wouldn’t want to hire someone they know will leave in a year and might not come back. If it’s worth it, how should I broach the issue?

Also, any other advice re: how to fill this gap in other ways is appreciated.

[RedNewJersey]

Strong yes, and I would tell the firm but it does not matter much either way.

To me, this is pretty ideal. Odds are, you can't be *too* slammed if you're only there one year. You get a chance to learn if you like a firm or practice group with a natural chance to leave (i.e., no one would blink if you went somewhere else after clerkship #2). Also, the money will be really nice, and can help you meet loan / savings goals.

Two years of clerking is already a lot for the "fun, lower-paying, temporary job" category. It's unlikely you'll find something worth giving up the valuable information ("do I like this?") and money you'd get by going to a firm. Also, I'd think the coolest non-firm jobs you could get often want you for more than a year anyway, so you'd be stuck with second-tier options.

[justanotherlurker]

Yes, I've seen lots of people do this, and it is a great thing. They'll probably pay a clerkship bonus, you won't be slammed since you'll have a ramp-up and ramp-down periods, and if you're thinking about going to a firm at some point, it will be good to have law firm experience before your fourth year.

Be totally transparent with the firm; don't sandbag them.

[Anonymous User]

You should do it and I think it would not be a negative at all for firms hiring you (so you should tell them), but I don’t think it’s less likely that you’d be slammed during your year. At best, if you want, you can probably coast for the last half of the year and then go to a different firm after the clerkship. But junior associates can get slammed easily no matter how long they’re expected to stick around.