Job Openings for Judicial Clerks Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey, when do law firms start advertising job openings for current judicial clerks?

[Anonymous User]

Hey, when do law firms start advertising job openings for current judicial clerks?

Firms will mail to chambers but positions of this type aren’t really advertised afaik, you just apply

[Anonymous User]

Hey, when do law firms start advertising job openings for current judicial clerks?

Yeah like pp said, firms will start having receptions for clerks in Nov/Dec (maybe some are as early as October? I don't remember, but the bulk seemed to be Dec/Jan/Feb). If you're interested in the firm, helps to go to the reception and then put in an app soon after, but I don't think there is a strict deadline. I feel like most clerks who weren't returning to old firms had their offers in the spring - maybe March/April. I don't know that it would hurt you to apply early, you may just run the risk of the firm not focusing on clerk hiring when you submit and your app getting lost in the shuffle.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

My clerkship was a decade ago, but I recall that firms responded to my December applications by telling me I was applying too early. I had way more luck with my spring applications.

[Anonymous User]

Hey, when do law firms start advertising job openings for current judicial clerks?

Somewhat tangential question, but for those with open offers from their 2L summer, how do we go about contacting the previous firm? Will the firm reach out or are we expected to?

[Anonymous User]

Hey, when do law firms start advertising job openings for current judicial clerks?

Yeah like pp said, firms will start having receptions for clerks in Nov/Dec (maybe some are as early as October? I don't remember, but the bulk seemed to be Dec/Jan/Feb). If you're interested in the firm, helps to go to the reception and then put in an app soon after, but I don't think there is a strict deadline. I feel like most clerks who weren't returning to old firms had their offers in the spring - maybe March/April. I don't know that it would hurt you to apply early, you may just run the risk of the firm not focusing on clerk hiring when you submit and your app getting lost in the shuffle.

I'm a circuit clerk in, say, 2 that is only interested in jobs in a city in, say, 9. How do I find out about these receptions for clerks in cities I'm not currently in? Any general advice about targeting a firm that isn't in your circuit much appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

Hey, when do law firms start advertising job openings for current judicial clerks?

Yeah like pp said, firms will start having receptions for clerks in Nov/Dec (maybe some are as early as October? I don't remember, but the bulk seemed to be Dec/Jan/Feb). If you're interested in the firm, helps to go to the reception and then put in an app soon after, but I don't think there is a strict deadline. I feel like most clerks who weren't returning to old firms had their offers in the spring - maybe March/April. I don't know that it would hurt you to apply early, you may just run the risk of the firm not focusing on clerk hiring when you submit and your app getting lost in the shuffle.

I'm a circuit clerk in, say, 2 that is only interested in jobs in a city in, say, 9. How do I find out about these receptions for clerks in cities I'm not currently in? Any general advice about targeting a firm that isn't in your circuit much appreciated.

Hmmm...I was in 2 and some DC firms did receptions in NYC, but not sure about California firms. I would think the best bet is to just reach out to the firms directly and bypass the receptions. Not sure about timing of hiring out there/if it differs from NY....

[12YrsAnAssociate]

I'm a circuit clerk in, say, 2 that is only interested in jobs in a city in, say, 9. How do I find out about these receptions for clerks in cities I'm not currently in? Any general advice about targeting a firm that isn't in your circuit much appreciated.

I don't think it's necessary to go to the receptions. Just send in an application.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a circuit clerk in, say, 2 that is only interested in jobs in a city in, say, 9. How do I find out about these receptions for clerks in cities I'm not currently in? Any general advice about targeting a firm that isn't in your circuit much appreciated.

I don't think it's necessary to go to the receptions. Just send in an application.

So just send a cold application at the beginning of next year, given that they do not advertise openings?

[12YrsAnAssociate]

I'm a circuit clerk in, say, 2 that is only interested in jobs in a city in, say, 9. How do I find out about these receptions for clerks in cities I'm not currently in? Any general advice about targeting a firm that isn't in your circuit much appreciated.

I don't think it's necessary to go to the receptions. Just send in an application.

So just send a cold application at the beginning of next year, given that they do not advertise openings?

Yes. That's exactly what I did. Next, as soon as I landed one interview in the desired market, I sent an email to every single employer I had applied to in the market, informed them that I'd be in town for interviews, and expressed interest in interviewing when I was there. I ended up with a marathon day where I had 3 interviews. The third went terrible, but as soon as I left the first had emailed me and asked if I could come back in at the end of the day. It really helped the "why [this city] when you clerk in [a far away place]" question because it demonstrated that I really wanted to be there.

[purplegoldtornado]

Not to hijack, but are market bonuses still $50/$70?

[Anonymous User]

Not to hijack, but are market bonuses still $50/$70?

Got an offer from a V10 in New York post-clerkship. Yes it is still that unfortunately.

[purplegoldtornado]

Not to hijack, but are market bonuses still $50/$70?

Got an offer from a V10 in New York post-clerkship. Yes it is still that unfortunately.

Just seems so odd that salaries have been going up so much, but the bonus remains the same.

[Anonymous User]

Not to hijack, but are market bonuses still $50/$70?

Got an offer from a V10 in New York post-clerkship. Yes it is still that unfortunately.

Just seems so odd that salaries have been going up so much, but the bonus remains the same.

I have heard rumors that a few firms will offer an above-market bonus in exchange for less of a class year bump, if you have two qualifying clerkships (i.e., D. Ct + COA). Other than that, it’s really the usual players—Quinn, BSF, boutiques—that offer anything above market. I doubt there will be a clamor to change the bonus amount anytime soon, considering the whispers that the year end bonuses will diminish this year.

[Anonymous User]

Not to hijack, but are market bonuses still $50/$70?

Got an offer from a V10 in New York post-clerkship. Yes it is still that unfortunately.

Just seems so odd that salaries have been going up so much, but the bonus remains the same.

I feel like unless you go way over the top like the boutiques do clerkship bonuses don't move the needle much for post-clerkship applicants versus everything else involved in picking a firm, so there's not much incentive to raise them by small amounts