Leave Clerkship Early for Firm? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Not sure if this belongs here or the clerkship forum, but I am contemplating an early exit from clerkship to join a firm in the same district. The firm work wouldn't necessarily have me appearing where I'm currently at. Does anyone have experience in a similar situation? Would I be burning a big bridge and creating an enemy on the bench? Would my reputation in the community suffer? Does it matter?

[Bramwell]

Aren’t clerkships 1 year long or 2 at most? Assuming we’re talking a federal or highest state court clerkship, I don’t understand why you would leave early. Toxic work environment? Emergency need for cash?

[jotarokujo]

Not sure if this belongs here or the clerkship forum, but I am contemplating an early exit from clerkship to join a firm in the same district. The firm work wouldn't necessarily have me appearing where I'm currently at. Does anyone have experience in a similar situation? Would I be burning a big bridge and creating an enemy on the bench? Would my reputation in the community suffer? Does it matter?

probably would look pretty weird, this isn't done often. do you mean cutting your 1 year term short? im pretty sure that just leaves a judge clerkless. curious, how is this even an option?

i've only ever seen a clerkship cut early because of getting fired or medical necessity tbh. that's probably what people would assume about you.

[Anonymous User]

My clerkship was a terrible experience -- the judge was an absolute nightmare and I literally counted the days until it was over. But I stuck it out because law is a small world and the possible reputational repercussions of leaving early were worse than slogging through the year. Unless your situation is truly intolerable, I would caution against leaving early.

[nixy]

I think most judges would be annoyed at being left in the lurch (hiring someone to fill the time between now and the next clerk would be a huge pain, not having a clerk would be a huge pain). Now, I don’t think most normal humans would go out of their way to ruin your career, but they likely wouldn’t go out of their way to help you, either.

I think that generally it’s a bad idea, not because it absolutely positively will turn out badly, but if it does, it could be very bad. I agree with the first response about the possible reasons. If situation is so miserable that you need to get out for your mental health, the downside is probably worth it bc you’re probably not going to be looking for support from that judge in future anyway. Or if you do suddenly need cash, that’s understandable - that’s probably the best reason you could give a judge, as long as it’s a respectable reason (like “my sibling died and I have to take in her kids,” not “I’ve decided I want to buy a house now” or “I’ve run up my credit cards”).

The effect in your reputation will probably depend at least in part on this judge’s reputation. If they’re universally revered and loved, you will look worse than if they’re widely known to be a nightmare. Just kind of difficult to say in a vacuum (though I also think that over time any damage would be mitigated by your continued work/achievements, if you go to your firm and do well).

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thank you all for the feedback. I don't want to go into all the details because they are fairly specific, but I appreciate the engagement. I will say there is no financial or medical emergency and I have already been here more than one year.

[Anonymous User]

Not sure if this belongs here or the clerkship forum, but I am contemplating an early exit from clerkship to join a firm in the same district. The firm work wouldn't necessarily have me appearing where I'm currently at. Does anyone have experience in a similar situation? Would I be burning a big bridge and creating an enemy on the bench? Would my reputation in the community suffer? Does it matter?

OP here. There is no medical or financial emergency. I have been with the court more than one year, and it is not an Art. III court. The most pressing concern I have is leaving my replacement to figure things out on their own if I left early. This situation stems from comments made to me in chambers that had me thinking an early exit would be ok, which have been contra-indicated since receiving an offer.

[Anonymous User]

You wouldn't be considering this unless the Judge were a nightmare or this is a dream job, so I won't reinforce how serious it is.

But do know that most people will assume you were fired, and yes, you MAY get a tough audience from the Judge and his/her peers for the rest of your career.

So decide with that in mind. It would help smooth the situation to find a replacement clerk that can start when you finish, even if your judge doesn't want to hire them.

[Anonymous User]

It's amazing how I'm practically begging for any clerkship, and people like OP just wanna throw theirs away willy-nilly. OP, I have a serious proposition: I will volunteer to be a replacement for you if you choose to leave your clerkship. I'll take it over literally the day after you leave. I don't care where in the country it is. If you accept this arrangement, reply to my message with a means of contacting you directly and I will.

[JusticeJackson]

I had a job interview at a top USAO and I told the judge I was worried they wouldn’t pick me because I still had a year on my clerkship commitment, and he told me not to mention it in the interview and if the USAO wanted me earlier he’d be fine with shortening my term if I helped hire and train my replacement.

A co-clerk was clearly not meant to be a clerk. Fucked everything up. And was in chambers because his law school paid him (a low wage) to be there. He got a job that paid much much better and asked to leave early and although it might have been different if the guy was actually a full fledged clerk (and not basically a post-grad extern), the judge was fine with letting him out early.

Moral of the story is that the judge might not care or might get your circumstance, particularly if you offer to hire and train your replacement. Give a reason. Is the firm asking for you? Are you having troubles with bills?

[Lacepiece23]

If Article III may not be that big of a deal. I slotted in for someone who wanted to get out early. Wasn’t the most ideal circumstances. But it was for me. I got a break from the firm and the firm was happy to for me to get clerkship experience.

I bet you could easily find your replacement.

[Anonymous User]

OP here again. Update folks, I decided to put on my big [person] pants and handle it like an adult. Spoke to the judge, laid it all out there, and we are working towards an arrangement that can make everyone happy. Thank you all for your feedback.

When in doubt, talk it out.