2021-2022 Clerkship Application Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

Any movement from Tuchi, AZ? OSCAR application expired last Friday, but I haven't heard anything from chambers either way.

He has been extending interviews over the last few weeks. I turned my invitation down a few weeks ago and am aware of others getting an interview invitation thereafter. I don't know if he's filled the position yet.

Did you do a phone screener before they extended the interview invite?

I was told I would have a phone screener with the clerks, after which I may get an interview with the judge. I didn't do the screener, though.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone heard from Azrack (EDNY)?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know anything about what some of the W.D. Pa. judges are like? Specifically Judge Bissoon?

[Wild Card]

'21 CADC interview request came this week. (Still some hope!)

Rogers?

No. My understanding is that Rogers is done hiring but not totally solid intel.

She bumped her post today.

But so did Chief Judge Davis of the EDVA. Maybe these boomers just don't know how to use OSCAR.

[Anonymous User]

'21 CADC interview request came this week. (Still some hope!)

Rogers?

No. My understanding is that Rogers is done hiring but not totally solid intel.

She bumped her post today.

But so did Chief Judge Davis of the EDVA. Maybe these boomers just don't know how to use OSCAR.

Dont think Davis is done yet. Spoke with our clerkship office a couple weeks ago, they said he might wait a bit to fill

[Anonymous User]

Very long shot, but does anyone know if Gritzner or Reade in Iowa will post eventually? They might be retiring (I believe that Jarvey is) or they might be slow.

[Anonymous User]

Pratt (S.D. Iowa) is filled for 2021-2022. OSCAR is also weirdly calling a lot of District Judges "Circuit Judges", so my applications currently look even less realistic. Thanks for that, OSCAR.

[Anonymous User]

She bumped her post today.

But so did Chief Judge Davis of the EDVA. Maybe these boomers just don't know how to use OSCAR.

Anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decipher what changed about the postings every time they get bumped? Sometimes I wonder how it even happens if they apparently don't change anything about the postings.

[Anonymous User]

A little late to the convo here, but does anyone know what is the policy regarding applying for a term other than the one listed on Oscar? I'm specifically looking for something in 2023 (for personal reasons), but was told to apply anyways and just indicate so in the cover letter. Is that a good idea? Will the app be considered? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

A little late to the convo here, but does anyone know what is the policy regarding applying for a term other than the one listed on Oscar? I'm specifically looking for something in 2023 (for personal reasons), but was told to apply anyways and just indicate so in the cover letter. Is that a good idea? Will the app be considered? Thanks!

I heard from chambers of a COA judge that we're free to ask to be considered for another term - just specify in your cover letter.

[lavarman84]

A little late to the convo here, but does anyone know what is the policy regarding applying for a term other than the one listed on Oscar? I'm specifically looking for something in 2023 (for personal reasons), but was told to apply anyways and just indicate so in the cover letter. Is that a good idea? Will the app be considered? Thanks!

I heard from chambers of a COA judge that we're free to ask to be considered for another term - just specify in your cover letter.

I expect it depends on the chambers. I know my COA judge would have refused to consider applicants for future terms. Would have just tossed the application. But it wouldn't have hurt you if you reapplied for that future term at the appropriate time.

[Anonymous User]

She bumped her post today.

But so did Chief Judge Davis of the EDVA. Maybe these boomers just don't know how to use OSCAR.

Anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decipher what changed about the postings every time they get bumped? Sometimes I wonder how it even happens if they apparently don't change anything about the postings.

Don't read too much into anything. As with nearly everything else in the judiciary, everything is decentralized, so individual chambers run their own OSCAR accounts. In practice, this often means that each new crop of term clerks has to figure out how to operate the thing for themselves (and the interface is not the most intuitive). Maybe some younger judges log in themselves, and if there's a JA or a career clerk in chambers, that person might have responsibility, but there's no way to know.

From my experience: My COA judge had a career clerk who managed the whole process, and we term clerks were only involved in interviews. So I imagine her use of OSCAR was about as expert as can be. For my district court judge, he generally did not use OSCAR (and had us check to make sure his message message to that effect was posted there). Other district court clerks in the building were responsible for figuring it out for themselves, and it sounded complex.

[Anonymous User]

Is it fair to assume hiring is basically done for the summer, with small numbers of hires after Labor Day?

[Anonymous User]

Is it fair to assume hiring is basically done for the summer, with small numbers of hires after Labor Day?

Not necessarily. Several judges in my region (Southeast) have stated that they won't hire until after Labor Day since they're still dealing with COVID-19 things. I think we can expect a lot more movement than usual throughout the Fall.

[Lacepiece23]

Does anyone know anything about what some of the W.D. Pa. judges are like? Specifically Judge Bissoon?

I clerked for her. She's the best possible clerking experience you could ever have. Strict 9-5, maybe 9-6 if you are in trial. She's hands off with opinions. You write all her opinions from scratch, and, depending on writing ability, she provides light edits.

She's cool; a greater mentor. She'd give us mental health days sometimes just because Trump's in office. You get the idea. Very generous; always paid for drinks, meals, etc. when we went out. Couldn't say better things. Also, above all, she's incredibly sharp and intelligent. I don't think there's a better judge to clerk for in America.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know anything about what some of the W.D. Pa. judges are like? Specifically Judge Bissoon?

I clerked for her. She's the best possible clerking experience you could ever have. Strict 9-5, maybe 9-6 if you are in trial. She's hands off with opinions. You write all her opinions from scratch, and, depending on writing ability, she provides light edits.

She's cool; a greater mentor. She'd give us mental health days sometimes just because Trump's in office. You get the idea. Very generous; always paid for drinks, meals, etc. when we went out. Couldn't say better things. Also, above all, she's incredibly sharp and intelligent. I don't think there's a better judge to clerk for in America.

Judge Bissoon seems like a great judge to clerk for. My understanding is that the earliest clerkship she has available right now is in 2025 for a two-year clerkship. As a 2020 grad, I would be beginning my clerkship as a 6th year and ending it at the beginning of my 8th year. How many years out of law school were you when you clerked, and do you think clerking that late in the game (for me) would make it difficult to transition back into private practice?

[Anonymous User]

Any word on Judge Casper from D. Mass.?

[Anonymous User]

Is it fair to assume hiring is basically done for the summer, with small numbers of hires after Labor Day?

Not necessarily. Several judges in my region (Southeast) have stated that they won't hire until after Labor Day since they're still dealing with COVID-19 things. I think we can expect a lot more movement than usual throughout the Fall.

To add to this, it does seem like many judges just were not hiring at all this summer even with open positions (likely because of Covid). Whether that changes in the fall remains to be seen of course.

[Wild Card]

Is it fair to assume hiring is basically done for the summer, with small numbers of hires after Labor Day?

Judge Bianco had posted openings for 21-22, 22-23 a week or so ago; he said he wouldn't be interviewing until after Labor Day.

He updated today to announce that he is currently interviewing: guess he couldn't resist the good pickings!

[Lacepiece23]

Does anyone know anything about what some of the W.D. Pa. judges are like? Specifically Judge Bissoon?

I clerked for her. She's the best possible clerking experience you could ever have. Strict 9-5, maybe 9-6 if you are in trial. She's hands off with opinions. You write all her opinions from scratch, and, depending on writing ability, she provides light edits.

She's cool; a greater mentor. She'd give us mental health days sometimes just because Trump's in office. You get the idea. Very generous; always paid for drinks, meals, etc. when we went out. Couldn't say better things. Also, above all, she's incredibly sharp and intelligent. I don't think there's a better judge to clerk for in America.

Judge Bissoon seems like a great judge to clerk for. My understanding is that the earliest clerkship she has available right now is in 2025 for a two-year clerkship. As a 2020 grad, I would be beginning my clerkship as a 6th year and ending it at the beginning of my 8th year. How many years out of law school were you when you clerked, and do you think clerking that late in the game (for me) would make it difficult to transition back into private practice?

I was only two years out and was lucky to slide into someone’s spot that left early. Probably outed myself already, oh well.

But she’s had multiple clerks at that mark in their careers. All of them got what they wanted in Pittsburgh. She knows so many people there that she’s going to take care of you if you stay. If you don’t want to live in Pittsburgh ymmv.

[megjobethamy]

Does anyone know what the S.D. Texas--Laredo Division judges are like? Specifically Judges Saldaña and Alvarez? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

The Fifth Circuit Thread does not seem to have any answers, but does anyone have any updates on Elrod, King, Jones, or Duncan in terms of interviews or offers?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know anything about what some of the W.D. Pa. judges are like? Specifically Judge Bissoon?

I clerked for her. She's the best possible clerking experience you could ever have. Strict 9-5, maybe 9-6 if you are in trial. She's hands off with opinions. You write all her opinions from scratch, and, depending on writing ability, she provides light edits.

She's cool; a greater mentor. She'd give us mental health days sometimes just because Trump's in office. You get the idea. Very generous; always paid for drinks, meals, etc. when we went out. Couldn't say better things. Also, above all, she's incredibly sharp and intelligent. I don't think there's a better judge to clerk for in America.

Judge Bissoon seems like a great judge to clerk for. My understanding is that the earliest clerkship she has available right now is in 2025 for a two-year clerkship. As a 2020 grad, I would be beginning my clerkship as a 6th year and ending it at the beginning of my 8th year. How many years out of law school were you when you clerked, and do you think clerking that late in the game (for me) would make it difficult to transition back into private practice?

I was only two years out and was lucky to slide into someone’s spot that left early. Probably outed myself already, oh well.

But she’s had multiple clerks at that mark in their careers. All of them got what they wanted in Pittsburgh. She knows so many people there that she’s going to take care of you if you stay. If you don’t want to live in Pittsburgh ymmv.

Got it! Thanks so much! She seems amazing to work with.

[Anonymous User]

Any word on Jackson (D.D.C., 2020) or Wolski (C.F.C., 2020)? Jackson is now expired, and was only open for a week. Wolski still shows available for Sep 1 start date.

[Anonymous User]

Just got invited to V. Roberts's (EDMI) writing test. I heard its brutal...any insight?