Do I still have a shot at biglaw? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Fairly recent lower T14 grad, top third, secondary journal. So far my lawyer career consists of a magistrate clerkship (in one of ND Cal/SDNY) and a state supreme court clerkship (mid-atlantic state, not NJ or NY). So the question is whether I have a shot at biglaw after the latter clerkship. Here is what I understand to be counting against me:

- No SA position in LS because I struck out at OCI. Instead I had a bunch of gov't internships (they were good ones, FWIW).
- By the end of my second clerkship, I'll be in my late 30s.
- And I understand that biglaw firms don't care much if at all about SSC clerkships.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

[lawschool2014hopeful]

You sound like you have a fairly competitive profile. The points you listed as against you are not really against you or that relevant. Happy to discuss further over DM about specific application strategies.

[jdoeman1234567]

Fairly recent lower T14 grad, top third, secondary journal. So far my lawyer career consists of a magistrate clerkship (in one of ND Cal/SDNY) and a state supreme court clerkship (mid-atlantic state, not NJ or NY). So the question is whether I have a shot at biglaw after the latter clerkship. Here is what I understand to be counting against me:

- No SA position in LS because I struck out at OCI. Instead I had a bunch of gov't internships (they were good ones, FWIW).
- By the end of my second clerkship, I'll be in my late 30s.
- And I understand that biglaw firms don't care much if at all about SSC clerkships.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

You absolutely have a shot, just apply broadly. I think multiple firms will bite. You may have struck out at OCI, but it sounds like you essentially have the standard biglaw academic credentials. I also wouldn't say firms don't care about about state supreme court clerkships. Most state court clerkships are obviously far less prestigious than federal, but many litigators at firms will still view the state clerkship as good experience.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about my shot too. Sorry to hijack the thread with my own anxiety.

-D. Ct (flyover; 2 years) -> COA (Northeast; 1 year)

- TTTT top 1%, EiC, Moot Court (same market as my district court clerkship but not the same as the COA)

- I had an SA at “regional BigLaw”and received an offer (no immediate plans to return to the market due to personal circumstances)

I’d prefer the market where my COA clerkship is. I hear the market is insular, and I don’t have ties beyond the clerkship. But I’m really wondering how my work experience might make up for my school’s lack of prestige (and that’s being generous).

[Lacepiece23]

Fairly recent lower T14 grad, top third, secondary journal. So far my lawyer career consists of a magistrate clerkship (in one of ND Cal/SDNY) and a state supreme court clerkship (mid-atlantic state, not NJ or NY). So the question is whether I have a shot at biglaw after the latter clerkship. Here is what I understand to be counting against me:

- No SA position in LS because I struck out at OCI. Instead I had a bunch of gov't internships (they were good ones, FWIW).
- By the end of my second clerkship, I'll be in my late 30s.
- And I understand that biglaw firms don't care much if at all about SSC clerkships.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

If you don’t snag traditional biglaw, consider an employment boutique if you’re interested in employment lit. That’s a guarantee lateral to Morgan Lewis in a year with your credentials. And the boutiques right now are struggling to find people with your credentials.

[Anonymous User]

This is OP, thanks for the input, all. To the top 1% TTTT poster: I would think that the advice given to me applies equally to you. Plus your clerkships are better than mine so you should be in decent shape. I'm not aware of how biglaw firms view the top 1% at a "TTTT" but I would think your clerkships validate your potential.

[bigcityattorney]

FWIW, I've litigated against a lot of BigLaw lawyers from TTTT. I've noticed that that they started at smallish firms in niche practice areas, acquired expertise in that niche area (I assume), and lateraled to BigLaw.

[Anonymous User]

FWIW, I've litigated against a lot of BigLaw lawyers from TTTT. I've noticed that that they started at smallish firms in niche practice areas, acquired expertise in that niche area (I assume), and lateraled to BigLaw.

Good to know. Any of them post-clerkship?

[Anonymous User]

This is OP, thanks for the input, all. To the top 1% TTTT poster: I would think that the advice given to me applies equally to you. Plus your clerkships are better than mine so you should be in decent shape. I'm not aware of how biglaw firms view the top 1% at a "TTTT" but I would think your clerkships validate your potential.

Thanks. It’s always an uphill battle, but I’m hoping to get something in the market that I’ll be in. It should go pretty far there.

[lavarman84]

Curious about my shot too. Sorry to hijack the thread with my own anxiety.

-D. Ct (flyover; 2 years) -> COA (Northeast; 1 year)

- TTTT top 1%, EiC, Moot Court (same market as my district court clerkship but not the same as the COA)

- I had an SA at “regional BigLaw”and received an offer (no immediate plans to return to the market due to personal circumstances)

I’d prefer the market where my COA clerkship is. I hear the market is insular, and I don’t have ties beyond the clerkship. But I’m really wondering how my work experience might make up for my school’s lack of prestige (and that’s being generous).

I'd think that your credentials plus the COA clerkship would be quite helpful. Have you started your COA clerkship yet? Have you checked on your judge's clerk network and tried to connect with former clerks who are in biglaw in your preferred market?

[Anonymous User]

Curious about my shot too. Sorry to hijack the thread with my own anxiety.

-D. Ct (flyover; 2 years) -> COA (Northeast; 1 year)

- TTTT top 1%, EiC, Moot Court (same market as my district court clerkship but not the same as the COA)

- I had an SA at “regional BigLaw”and received an offer (no immediate plans to return to the market due to personal circumstances)

I’d prefer the market where my COA clerkship is. I hear the market is insular, and I don’t have ties beyond the clerkship. But I’m really wondering how my work experience might make up for my school’s lack of prestige (and that’s being generous).

I'd think that your credentials plus the COA clerkship would be quite helpful. Have you started your COA clerkship yet? Have you checked on your judge's clerk network and tried to connect with former clerks who are in biglaw in your preferred market?

I have not started yet, but I know a few of their clerks that have ended up in BigLaw. But most of them aren’t in the market I’m trying to target; to be clear, the city is the hub in the circuit but the judge doesn’t sit there. I’ve managed to meet a few outside the circuit who are heading to firms there, so I’m hoping those connections can help.

[lavarman84]

Curious about my shot too. Sorry to hijack the thread with my own anxiety.

-D. Ct (flyover; 2 years) -> COA (Northeast; 1 year)

- TTTT top 1%, EiC, Moot Court (same market as my district court clerkship but not the same as the COA)

- I had an SA at “regional BigLaw”and received an offer (no immediate plans to return to the market due to personal circumstances)

I’d prefer the market where my COA clerkship is. I hear the market is insular, and I don’t have ties beyond the clerkship. But I’m really wondering how my work experience might make up for my school’s lack of prestige (and that’s being generous).

I'd think that your credentials plus the COA clerkship would be quite helpful. Have you started your COA clerkship yet? Have you checked on your judge's clerk network and tried to connect with former clerks who are in biglaw in your preferred market?

I have not started yet, but I know a few of their clerks that have ended up in BigLaw. But most of them aren’t in the market I’m trying to target; to be clear, the city is the hub in the circuit but the judge doesn’t sit there. I’ve managed to meet a few outside the circuit who are heading to firms there, so I’m hoping those connections can help.

Try to find some opportunities to network with biglaw lawyers during your sittings in the market. I think the circuit clerkship will carry weight, especially if your judge is respected. Depending on your relationship, you may also want to talk to your judge when you're getting near the time for applying. Your judge might have some connections at certain firms or former clerks with connections that you aren't aware of.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about my shot too. Sorry to hijack the thread with my own anxiety.

-D. Ct (flyover; 2 years) -> COA (Northeast; 1 year)

- TTTT top 1%, EiC, Moot Court (same market as my district court clerkship but not the same as the COA)

- I had an SA at “regional BigLaw”and received an offer (no immediate plans to return to the market due to personal circumstances)

I’d prefer the market where my COA clerkship is. I hear the market is insular, and I don’t have ties beyond the clerkship. But I’m really wondering how my work experience might make up for my school’s lack of prestige (and that’s being generous).

I'd think that your credentials plus the COA clerkship would be quite helpful. Have you started your COA clerkship yet? Have you checked on your judge's clerk network and tried to connect with former clerks who are in biglaw in your preferred market?

I have not started yet, but I know a few of their clerks that have ended up in BigLaw. But most of them aren’t in the market I’m trying to target; to be clear, the city is the hub in the circuit but the judge doesn’t sit there. I’ve managed to meet a few outside the circuit who are heading to firms there, so I’m hoping those connections can help.

Try to find some opportunities to network with biglaw lawyers during your sittings in the market. I think the circuit clerkship will carry weight, especially if your judge is respected. Depending on your relationship, you may also want to talk to your judge when you're getting near the time for applying. Your judge might have some connections at certain firms or former clerks with connections that you aren't aware of.

That is very helpful. Thank you!