Second Clerkship Good Idea for Reset to Lit? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Long story short: What are the benefits of taking a second clerkship? I switched to corporate during the hiring craze for the signing bonus (40k w/ no experience) and thought I might like to give it a try. Didn't like it after one year and tried switching back to litigation. My lateral prospects/opportunities were subpar and the opportunities for firms were not what I was hoping for.

I'm looking for a reset back to litigation. Do you think a second federal District clerkship would be better, in so far as a resume wise, or should I go to the firm for litigation that I'm not so happy about, but gave me an offer to do litigation there? HYS grad.

[jotarokujo]

Long story short: What are the benefits of taking a second clerkship? I switched to corporate during the hiring craze for the signing bonus (40k w/ no experience) and thought I might like to give it a try. Didn't like it after one year and tried switching back to litigation. My lateral prospects/opportunities were subpar and the opportunities for firms were not what I was hoping for.

I'm looking for a reset back to litigation. Do you think a second federal District clerkship would be better, in so far as a resume wise, or should I go to the firm for litigation that I'm not so happy about, but gave me an offer to do litigation there? HYS grad.

im surprised one Article III clerkship and YSH left you with subpar options. but what exactly are you talking about when you say "subpar"? that would help us determine if a second clerkship would be better.

[Anonymous User]

Not even V100 litigation firm

[Anonymous User]

Not even V100 litigation firm

just looking at it resume wise I would probably take the district court clerkship. sounds like the firm isn't market paying, not necessarily considered "biglaw" even. but if it's in your desired market, correct practice group, and money is a factor, i think those can overcome the resume difference

edit: this is jotarokujo from above

and yeah i'm kinda shocked that's your only option in terms of firms. is this in a major market?

[Anonymous User]

Why second federal district? Might as well try a state supreme court or federal court of appeals for the reset. Would give you some ability in an interview to bs that this was more for just a reset and you wanted to try some appellate work.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Those options were not available on the timeline I needed. Sorry to not provide more detail, but think family member has significant health issues.

Simply curious from a recruiting/lateral hiring prospective, which option is more desirable.

[Anonymous User]

I did this and it really worked for me. My background is that I clerked for a fed COA out of law school, and then went to a firm in my home city. I ended up regretting that for various reasons and wanted to go to a firm in a major city, but big city firms weren't interested. My theory was that I had already sent too much of a signal that I would be a flight risk back to my home town. So after striking out for a year, I went and clerked for a district court judge in my desired city and it really worked out. Ended up with tons of job offers, although I had to take a one year haircut.

[Anonymous User]

I did this and it really worked for me. My background is that I clerked for a fed COA out of law school, and then went to a firm in my home city. I ended up regretting that for various reasons and wanted to go to a firm in a major city, but big city firms weren't interested. My theory was that I had already sent too much of a signal that I would be a flight risk back to my home town. So after striking out for a year, I went and clerked for a district court judge in my desired city and it really worked out. Ended up with tons of job offers, although I had to take a one year haircut.

OP here. Thank you. Helpful. I just got off the phone with my recruiter who lined up the litigation offer. Was not pleased. Stated I would develop a reputation. Wanted to know what I was doing with my life. Couldn't understand my career moves. That the litigation offer was good. Said the firm had gone above and beyond to accommodate me. Hoping that is just self-interested talk.

[nixy]

I did this and it really worked for me. My background is that I clerked for a fed COA out of law school, and then went to a firm in my home city. I ended up regretting that for various reasons and wanted to go to a firm in a major city, but big city firms weren't interested. My theory was that I had already sent too much of a signal that I would be a flight risk back to my home town. So after striking out for a year, I went and clerked for a district court judge in my desired city and it really worked out. Ended up with tons of job offers, although I had to take a one year haircut.

OP here. Thank you. Helpful. I just got off the phone with my recruiter who lined up the litigation offer. Was not pleased. Stated I would develop a reputation. Wanted to know what I was doing with my life. Couldn't understand my career moves. That the litigation offer was good. Said the firm had gone above and beyond to accommodate me. Hoping that is just self-interested talk.

That sounds incredibly unprofessional.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

I did this and it really worked for me. My background is that I clerked for a fed COA out of law school, and then went to a firm in my home city. I ended up regretting that for various reasons and wanted to go to a firm in a major city, but big city firms weren't interested. My theory was that I had already sent too much of a signal that I would be a flight risk back to my home town. So after striking out for a year, I went and clerked for a district court judge in my desired city and it really worked out. Ended up with tons of job offers, although I had to take a one year haircut.

OP here. Thank you. Helpful. I just got off the phone with my recruiter who lined up the litigation offer. Was not pleased. Stated I would develop a reputation. Wanted to know what I was doing with my life. Couldn't understand my career moves. That the litigation offer was good. Said the firm had gone above and beyond to accommodate me. Hoping that is just self-interested talk.

Recruiters are scum. They just want their money. It's your life, not theirs.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks. Just trying to tell myself I made the right decision. Feels good so I think its right. Thanks for the positive reinforcement. Its nice when these threads are supportive. Appreciate it.

[CanadianWolf]

Most associates at the best litigation firm I know have two federal clerkships--one COA and one District Court.

Most are Yale Law School graduates.

Definitely 100% try for a second federal clerkship.

In what year did you graduate law school ?

[Anonymous User]

Most associates at the best litigation firm I know have two federal clerkships--one COA and one District Court.

Most are Yale Law School graduates.

Definitely 100% try for a second federal clerkship.

In what year did you graduate law school ?

I'm HYS 2019/2020. I would have two district court federal clerkships. More interested in trial work anyways but hoping that's the best route for me at the moment.

[Anonymous User]

Most associates at the best litigation firm I know have two federal clerkships--one COA and one District Court.

Most are Yale Law School graduates.

Definitely 100% try for a second federal clerkship.

In what year did you graduate law school ?

The trend for new grads in ultra elite lit circles is definitely to do the COA/district combo now versus just COA, but there are people who do two districts too