Let's Talk 1st Circuit Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have perspective on whether Barron is still as competitive at HYS as the posts from 2016/2018 suggest him to be?

Only data points from the last few years are prez of LR + magna and someone who was not on LR and did not graduate magna. So, not exactly helpful

Yeah he's pretty competitive still. If anything, probably even more since he's sort of solidified his place at the top for lib semi-feeders.

Any perspective on what he is looking for?

Am 3L on the fringe of magna (depends on this semester, knock on wood) with non-prestigous liberal bona fides (major roles on major campaigns, but not in WH) but no HLR and don't have a prestige undergrad (he seems to like ivy undergrads but not sure if thats correlation/causation)

I'd still apply because hey you never know, but in my experience, I don't think he takes those kind of people. You seem to be well set for an appellate clerkship somewhere, though, so I wouldn't be too bummed about it. But again still apply—it's only an OSCAR spot.

That's kinda what I expected to hear, but thank you reaffirming! Agh, yeah - you're probably right but I struck out 2L and have no idea where I should be applying cuz the clerkship office is simply not helpful. Missing HLR really seems to be a dagger

FWIW I know people who were not on HLR that clerked for him, but they were stellar candidates in other things. Anyways (hopefully this is not condescending, I don't mean it to be), chin-up, you are a great COA candidate for somewhere. You're just not the type of candidate that can only apply to the Barrons of the world and get a bunch of offers.

Not taken condescendingly at all - genuinely appreciate the perspective and like rationally understand that I am not quite at that level of applicant, but yknow, a guy can dream. Anyways, any chance you would be willing to say what made that Barron clerk you mentioned stellar

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have perspective on whether Barron is still as competitive at HYS as the posts from 2016/2018 suggest him to be?

Only data points from the last few years are prez of LR + magna and someone who was not on LR and did not graduate magna. So, not exactly helpful

Yeah he's pretty competitive still. If anything, probably even more since he's sort of solidified his place at the top for lib semi-feeders.

Any perspective on what he is looking for?

Am 3L on the fringe of magna (depends on this semester, knock on wood) with non-prestigous liberal bona fides (major roles on major campaigns, but not in WH) but no HLR and don't have a prestige undergrad (he seems to like ivy undergrads but not sure if thats correlation/causation)

I'd still apply because hey you never know, but in my experience, I don't think he takes those kind of people. You seem to be well set for an appellate clerkship somewhere, though, so I wouldn't be too bummed about it. But again still apply—it's only an OSCAR spot.

That's kinda what I expected to hear, but thank you reaffirming! Agh, yeah - you're probably right but I struck out 2L and have no idea where I should be applying cuz the clerkship office is simply not helpful. Missing HLR really seems to be a dagger

FWIW I know people who were not on HLR that clerked for him, but they were stellar candidates in other things. Anyways (hopefully this is not condescending, I don't mean it to be), chin-up, you are a great COA candidate for somewhere. You're just not the type of candidate that can only apply to the Barrons of the world and get a bunch of offers.

Not taken condescendingly at all - genuinely appreciate the perspective and like rationally understand that I am not quite at that level of applicant, but yknow, a guy can dream. Anyways, any chance you would be willing to say what made that Barron clerk you mentioned stellar

Exceeding in all the other things. RA jobs etc...

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if Montecalvo has sent out interview invites yet?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if Montecalvo has sent out interview invites yet?

Yes, she has.

[educationalpage2]

Does anyone know if Montecalvo has sent out interview invites yet?

Yes, she has.

Related but does anyone know if she has made decisions?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if Montecalvo has sent out interview invites yet?

Yes, she has.

Related but does anyone know if she has made decisions?

hired someone from my school

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if Montecalvo has sent out interview invites yet?

Yes, she has.

Related but does anyone know if she has made decisions?

hired someone from my school

for what term?

[Anonymous User]

Any word on Howard? His oscar listing is still open.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Mary McElroy?

[Anonymous User]

Does top 15-20% at t6 have a chance at Montecalvo? (NYU/PENN)

[Anonymous User]

Does top 15-20% at t6 have a chance at Montecalvo? (NYU/PENN)

From what I understand, it’s more of a fit consideration, so as long as the grades are pretty good, you have a chance.

[thegamer123]

Does top 15-20% at t6 have a chance at Montecalvo? (NYU/PENN)

From what I understand, it’s more of a fit consideration, so as long as the grades are pretty good, you have a chance.

I guess my question is then if top 15-20% grades are "pretty good" lol

[Anonymous User]

Does top 15-20% at t6 have a chance at Montecalvo? (NYU/PENN)

From what I understand, it’s more of a fit consideration, so as long as the grades are pretty good, you have a chance.

I guess my question is then if top 15-20% grades are "pretty good" lol

Different poster than the previous person who responded - it's hard to say since she's pretty new and it's not like we know what her current clerks' transcripts are. But given that she doesn't specify a class standing threshold on OSCAR, I'd think that your grades wouldn't preclude you from getting an interview (especially if you have Rhode Island ties/a public interest background/prior experience clerking). I'd have a professor or someone call chambers so your app at least gets pulled out of the pile.

[Anonymous User]

Does top 15-20% at t6 have a chance at Montecalvo? (NYU/PENN)

I see what I assume is the same person asking this question for different COA judges. Your grades probably meet the necessary threshold for many COA judges. However, your grades by themselves are likely not special enough to get pulled. This means I would ask a Professor or call or play up any connections/relevant expertise.

[Anonymous User]

Does top 15-20% at t6 have a chance at Montecalvo? (NYU/PENN)

From what I understand, it’s more of a fit consideration, so as long as the grades are pretty good, you have a chance.

I guess my question is then if top 15-20% grades are "pretty good" lol

Like everyone else said, you’ll need something to get you pulled. So a professor call or some sort of interesting public interest thing on your resume might do it. Those grades alone probably won’t.

[Anonymous User]

Last year Judge Rikelman's oscar post asked applicants not to have profs/references reach out to chambers. This year's posting does not include that line—does anyone have any thoughts on whether this year's omission was an oversight (i.e. still please do not call) or intentional (i.e. it's okay to have references reach out)?

Also, has anyone heard of any movement on Judge Montecalvo for this year? I'm assuming (hoping) she's waiting to reach out to candidates until after her May 1 cutoff, but thought I'd ask around just in case.

[Anonymous User]

Hey everyone,

Does anyone have information on whether Judge Montecalvo has filled up positions for the 2025-26 term, particularly for off-plan applicants? Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Any movement?

[Anonymous User]

Any movement?

Pretty much everyone has moved at this point, I believe.

[Anonymous User]

Barron is full per OSCAR.

[Anonymous User]

Really? Including Howard and Aframe?

[Anonymous User]

Aframe reached out to someone i graduated with so there's some movement there

[Anonymous User]

I know Aframe has hired but I’m not sure if that’s just for the most recent term. Gelpi is full for a while because he doesn’t follow the plan. Not sure about others/whether they follow the plan, but IIRC Thompson sometimes moves very late.

[Anonymous User]

Does anybody have intel on chambers culture (clerk backgrounds, hours, WFH, general vibe) for Rikelman and Montecalvo?

[Anonymous User]

Does anybody have intel on chambers culture (clerk backgrounds, hours, WFH, general vibe) for Rikelman and Montecalvo?

I know next to nothing admittedly, but I have heard that Rikelman’s hours are long. She seems like a very thoughtful and hard working judge, so I imagine she requires a bit more from her clerks. Have heard nothing bad about the vibe/atmosphere though and she seems like a lovely person. Her clerks seem to fit the mound (high-achieving T-14 grads who likely return to BigLaw after their clerkships and have to be at least somewhat left-leaning).