Do you guys split your time as law clerk vs. associate on your resume/linkedin? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Do you guys split your time as law clerk vs. associate on your resume/linkedin? I'm tempted to consolidate the two positions under the title "Associate" just because it's cleaner that way, but don't want to misrepresent anything. Wasn't sure if there's a norm one way or the other?

FWIW, I've seen a mix of both on Linkedin.

[existentialcrisis]

I don’t. I feel like most people don’t.

[Anonymous User]

If you want to play by the rules and be as ethical as possible, then you should split it. I know people don't, but that's bad and they should.

[Anonymous User]

I think the question is whether you're trying to hide something by leaving law clerk off.

Were you a law clerk because you didn't pass the bar on your first go? If so, I'd probably find some way to make that clear from the resume (likely by listing clerk then associate, but you could also just put a date next to your admission to practice that makes clear it wasn't in the year you graduated from law school).

If, on the other hand, you were a law clerk because you worked part time during law school or started working right after taking the bar for the first time (which you passed), then I think it's clear enough based on overlap between your law school/employment dates.

As an anecdote, my firm started me as an associate, promoted me to senior associate, and I'll be counsel next year. I wouldn't put those three separate positions on my resume because it's all been basically the same job. Everyone knows I wasn't hired as a counsel out of law school, and it's not like I'm trying to hide something by keeping "associate" off.

[Anonymous User]

I think the question is whether you're trying to hide something by leaving law clerk off.

Were you a law clerk because you didn't pass the bar on your first go? If so, I'd probably find some way to make that clear from the resume (likely by listing clerk then associate, but you could also just put a date next to your admission to practice that makes clear it wasn't in the year you graduated from law school).

If, on the other hand, you were a law clerk because you worked part time during law school or started working right after taking the bar for the first time (which you passed), then I think it's clear enough based on overlap between your law school/employment dates.

As an anecdote, my firm started me as an associate, promoted me to senior associate, and I'll be counsel next year. I wouldn't put those three separate positions on my resume because it's all been basically the same job. Everyone knows I wasn't hired as a counsel out of law school, and it's not like I'm trying to hide something by keeping "associate" off.

OP here. Our title during the time between our start date (Sept/Oct) and being admitted to the bar is technically "law clerk" (this was our email signature title) to make it clear we haven't been admitted to the bar yet. To answer your question though, this was the traditional SA -> graduation -> July bar -> start date Sept/Oct -> admitted to bar the next year timeline.

[Anonymous User]

I think the question is whether you're trying to hide something by leaving law clerk off.

Were you a law clerk because you didn't pass the bar on your first go? If so, I'd probably find some way to make that clear from the resume (likely by listing clerk then associate, but you could also just put a date next to your admission to practice that makes clear it wasn't in the year you graduated from law school).

If, on the other hand, you were a law clerk because you worked part time during law school or started working right after taking the bar for the first time (which you passed), then I think it's clear enough based on overlap between your law school/employment dates.

As an anecdote, my firm started me as an associate, promoted me to senior associate, and I'll be counsel next year. I wouldn't put those three separate positions on my resume because it's all been basically the same job. Everyone knows I wasn't hired as a counsel out of law school, and it's not like I'm trying to hide something by keeping "associate" off.

OP here. Our title during the time between our start date (Sept/Oct) and being admitted to the bar is technically "law clerk" (this was our email signature title) to make it clear we haven't been admitted to the bar yet. To answer your question though, this was the traditional SA -> graduation -> July bar -> start date Sept/Oct -> admitted to bar the next year timeline.

Don't list them as separate, everyone knows.

[Anonymous User]

I think the question is whether you're trying to hide something by leaving law clerk off.

Were you a law clerk because you didn't pass the bar on your first go? If so, I'd probably find some way to make that clear from the resume (likely by listing clerk then associate, but you could also just put a date next to your admission to practice that makes clear it wasn't in the year you graduated from law school).

If, on the other hand, you were a law clerk because you worked part time during law school or started working right after taking the bar for the first time (which you passed), then I think it's clear enough based on overlap between your law school/employment dates.

As an anecdote, my firm started me as an associate, promoted me to senior associate, and I'll be counsel next year. I wouldn't put those three separate positions on my resume because it's all been basically the same job. Everyone knows I wasn't hired as a counsel out of law school, and it's not like I'm trying to hide something by keeping "associate" off.

OP here. Our title during the time between our start date (Sept/Oct) and being admitted to the bar is technically "law clerk" (this was our email signature title) to make it clear we haven't been admitted to the bar yet. To answer your question though, this was the traditional SA -> graduation -> July bar -> start date Sept/Oct -> admitted to bar the next year timeline.

Don't list them as separate, everyone knows.

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Nah you just put Associate from September. Personally I didn't update LinkedIn with the job at all until I was sworn in, then put associate. It's accurate as a job title (even though you can't use it at the time). You won't get in trouble for listing it as associate throughout, so long as you actually do get sworn in.

[Anonymous User]

You don't want to list "associate" while you're an unlicensed bar clerk. Afterwards, though, it doesn't matter - you're not really misleading potential clients, etc., from the bar's perspective (I mean, one can make the argument, but I don't think anyone will).

Me, I was a "law clerk" for less than a month before I was sworn in. So I don't list it.

[Anonymous User]

Nah you just put Associate from September. Personally I didn't update LinkedIn with the job at all until I was sworn in, then put associate. It's accurate as a job title (even though you can't use it at the time). You won't get in trouble for listing it as associate throughout, so long as you actually do get sworn in.

Right but also sworn in on time. If you didn't pass the bar first go you need to own that and make it clear in your title on the resume. Otherwise you're going to look like you're hiding something.

[Anonymous User]

What is the downside of just being 100% accurate and writing Law Clerk from September - April (or whenever you get sworn in) and then Associate from April onwards? Has doing that ever negatively impacted anyone?

[Anonymous User]

What is the downside of just being 100% accurate and writing Law Clerk from September - April (or whenever you get sworn in) and then Associate from April onwards? Has doing that ever negatively impacted anyone?

Makes the resume/linkedin look cluttered (and also, especially with a resume, takes up space that could be better used elsewhere for a frankly unimportant distinction). It's minor, but it's a silly distinction anyway and any negatives coming out of it make it untenable.

[Anonymous User]

What is the downside of just being 100% accurate and writing Law Clerk from September - April (or whenever you get sworn in) and then Associate from April onwards? Has doing that ever negatively impacted anyone?

It looks weird and off and raise unnecessary questions. Especially April will have people outside of NY and maybe some in wondering if you failed July. I wouldn't ding someone who adds it but I would probably assume they are a bit neurotic.

[Anonymous User]

Not necessary. If you are really anxious for whatever reason, add your bar admission date to your resume.