Clerks Taking Questions Forum

[Anonymous User]

any insight on writing assignment as part of an interview? not sure what to expect

Is this for a Utah judge or 5th circuit judge? If so, it's just going to be statutory interpretation on the fly. Study your descriptive and normative canons.

This is for a DC judge and it's pre-interview.

[Anonymous User]

any insight on writing assignment as part of an interview? not sure what to expect

Is this for a Utah judge or 5th circuit judge? If so, it's just going to be statutory interpretation on the fly. Study your descriptive and normative canons.

Justin Walker on CADC has a writing assignment as part of his interview process. No intel on what it entails, beyond being a four-hour closed-universe opinion-drafting assignment.

Did this happen pre- or post-interview? (I had an interview but no writing assignment, so I'm curious if that means I was dinged).

I do not know if this is universally the case, but I have heard that it happened post-interview.

Dang. Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

How long should we expect to hear back from a judge following a pre-interview writing exercise? Submitted mine late last week, but I’m still waiting to hear back.

[Anonymous User]

Does Judge Livingston send rejections?

[Anonymous User]

For judges who filled their 21/22 slots the first week of the plan and then immediately posted for 22/23, is it generally safe to assume they're not going to start seriously looking at those 22/23 apps for at least a few months?

[Anonymous User]

How long should we expect to hear back from a judge following a pre-interview writing exercise? Submitted mine late last week, but I’m still waiting to hear back.

Also curious to know this and if/when it would be appropriate to follow up.

[Anonymous User]

When a district judge in a highly competitive district schedules interviews directly with the judge, is there a standard number of people he's interviewing? Some people seem to think 2-3, others have said as much as 10, but 10 seems pretty high.

[Anonymous User]

When a district judge in a highly competitive district schedules interviews directly with the judge, is there a standard number of people he's interviewing? Some people seem to think 2-3, others have said as much as 10, but 10 seems pretty high.

I don't think there's a standard. I suppose it also would depend on if a judge is more inclined to hire on the spot, or conduct a set number of interviews before making a hiring decision. I worked for one judge that organized interviews by strongest applicant, and then made a hiring decision on the spot, whether it was the first applicant or the fifth. My district judge was more deliberative and interviewed 4-5 people before having a final discussion with staff and making a decision.

[Anonymous User]

When a district judge in a highly competitive district schedules interviews directly with the judge, is there a standard number of people he's interviewing? Some people seem to think 2-3, others have said as much as 10, but 10 seems pretty high.

I don't think there's a standard. I suppose it also would depend on if a judge is more inclined to hire on the spot, or conduct a set number of interviews before making a hiring decision. I worked for one judge that organized interviews by strongest applicant, and then made a hiring decision on the spot, whether it was the first applicant or the fifth. My district judge was more deliberative and interviewed 4-5 people before having a final discussion with staff and making a decision.

The judicial assistant and the clerks have a lot of say too. That is, the judge determines who looks good, and then the judicial assistant and the clerks will determine how many to interview and in what order. The judge may make an offer to a candidate on the spot, or refrain from extending offers until having interviewed all candidates. If the judge is inclined to extend an offer to the very first candidate interviewed, the clerks may object and push back, and the interviews will proceed. And so on.

It depends on the chambers, and can be a complete mess.

A dozen or so (12-15) interviews for two positions is on the higher side, but happens.

This means a lot of heartbroken people, which just sucks. The judge does what the judge pleases.

[mjb447]

When a district judge in a highly competitive district schedules interviews directly with the judge, is there a standard number of people he's interviewing? Some people seem to think 2-3, others have said as much as 10, but 10 seems pretty high.

Nope.

[Anonymous User]

This thread has been incredible, thanks to all who have contributed!

Quick question that I imagine applies to most rising 3Ls who accepted clerkships right after graduation: I finished my 2L summer associate program and received an offer to return to the firm after my clerkship. When checking what my judge's "rules" are for accepting offers (vs leaving them open until you finish the clerkship), would you email the judicial assistant or the judge herself? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

This thread has been incredible, thanks to all who have contributed!

Quick question that I imagine applies to most rising 3Ls who accepted clerkships right after graduation: I finished my 2L summer associate program and received an offer to return to the firm after my clerkship. When checking what my judge's "rules" are for accepting offers (vs leaving them open until you finish the clerkship), would you email the judicial assistant or the judge herself? Thanks!

I emailed my judge’s assistant and got an answer pretty quickly. I go to her for any questions now.

[Chokenhauer]

I haven’t found anything directly on point, although it seems like the general consensus is that firms are alright with extending their offers made to SAs or at the very least, it shouldn’t matter because the clerkship will give you more than enough opportunities to pick up a job elsewhere. But what if I want to turn a 1-year clerkship into a 2-year clerkship?

The judge that I will be clerking for is a newcomer. Up until recently, I thought it was only a 1-year commitment. But they’ve hinted at having me stay for more than one year, most likely two, because they want someone around for an extra year to help get established. If I enjoy it enough and want to stay, is it going to ruin my chances at the firm where I plan to return? The firm is under the assumption that I would only be there for 1 year. Has anyone ever experienced asking for an extension like this or is it frowned upon?

If it matters, my school is nightmarishly low-ranked and we’re talking regional BL.

[LBJ's Hair]

I haven’t found anything directly on point, although it seems like the general consensus is that firms are alright with extending their offers made to SAs or at the very least, it shouldn’t matter because the clerkship will give you more than enough opportunities to pick up a job elsewhere. But what if I want to turn a 1-year clerkship into a 2-year clerkship?

The judge that I will be clerking for is a newcomer. Up until recently, I thought it was only a 1-year commitment. But they’ve hinted at having me stay for more than one year, most likely two, because they want someone around for an extra year to help get established. If I enjoy it enough and want to stay, is it going to ruin my chances at the firm where I plan to return? The firm is under the assumption that I would only be there for 1 year. Has anyone ever experienced asking for an extension like this or is it frowned upon?

If it matters, my school is nightmarishly low-ranked and we’re talking regional BL.

do'nt think many places give you two class years for a two-year clerkship, which is a pretty useful signal of how firms view it

[Anonymous User]

I haven’t found anything directly on point, although it seems like the general consensus is that firms are alright with extending their offers made to SAs or at the very least, it shouldn’t matter because the clerkship will give you more than enough opportunities to pick up a job elsewhere. But what if I want to turn a 1-year clerkship into a 2-year clerkship?

The judge that I will be clerking for is a newcomer. Up until recently, I thought it was only a 1-year commitment. But they’ve hinted at having me stay for more than one year, most likely two, because they want someone around for an extra year to help get established. If I enjoy it enough and want to stay, is it going to ruin my chances at the firm where I plan to return? The firm is under the assumption that I would only be there for 1 year. Has anyone ever experienced asking for an extension like this or is it frowned upon?

If it matters, my school is nightmarishly low-ranked and we’re talking regional BL.

Talk to your firm. Many "regional BL" level firms are tight on cash right now, and they actually might be happy to defer paying you by another year.

[Anonymous User]

I haven’t found anything directly on point, although it seems like the general consensus is that firms are alright with extending their offers made to SAs or at the very least, it shouldn’t matter because the clerkship will give you more than enough opportunities to pick up a job elsewhere. But what if I want to turn a 1-year clerkship into a 2-year clerkship?

The judge that I will be clerking for is a newcomer. Up until recently, I thought it was only a 1-year commitment. But they’ve hinted at having me stay for more than one year, most likely two, because they want someone around for an extra year to help get established. If I enjoy it enough and want to stay, is it going to ruin my chances at the firm where I plan to return? The firm is under the assumption that I would only be there for 1 year. Has anyone ever experienced asking for an extension like this or is it frowned upon?

If it matters, my school is nightmarishly low-ranked and we’re talking regional BL.

Talk to your firm. Many "regional BL" level firms are tight on cash right now, and they actually might be happy to defer paying you by another year.

Thanks. I’ll reach out to them.

[Anonymous User]

I haven’t found anything directly on point, although it seems like the general consensus is that firms are alright with extending their offers made to SAs or at the very least, it shouldn’t matter because the clerkship will give you more than enough opportunities to pick up a job elsewhere. But what if I want to turn a 1-year clerkship into a 2-year clerkship?

The judge that I will be clerking for is a newcomer. Up until recently, I thought it was only a 1-year commitment. But they’ve hinted at having me stay for more than one year, most likely two, because they want someone around for an extra year to help get established. If I enjoy it enough and want to stay, is it going to ruin my chances at the firm where I plan to return? The firm is under the assumption that I would only be there for 1 year. Has anyone ever experienced asking for an extension like this or is it frowned upon?

If it matters, my school is nightmarishly low-ranked and we’re talking regional BL.

do'nt think many places give you two class years for a two-year clerkship, which is a pretty useful signal of how firms view it

YMMV but my v30 gave me 3 years of class year credit for 2-year district clerkship + 1 year COA

[Anonymous User]

Any advice for where to send an application to clerk for Justice Barrett's chambers? I thought I found the person shepherding her nomination, but I emailed that person last Thursday and haven't heard back.

I'm thinking that the next best route is snail mail to the court with attention to Justice Barrett's chambers, but I appreciate any thoughts.

[nealric]

Any advice for where to send an application to clerk for Justice Barrett's chambers? I thought I found the person shepherding her nomination, but I emailed that person last Thursday and haven't heard back.

I'm thinking that the next best route is snail mail to the court with attention to Justice Barrett's chambers, but I appreciate any thoughts.

I'm no expert in SCOTUS clerk hiring, but my understanding is you generally need someone to make a call on your behalf to have a shot (ideally the feeder judge you already clerk for).

[ammcphee]

Thanks very much for the quick response. That definitely makes sense. I don't have a feeder judge (I clerked for a state supreme court in 2017-2018), but perhaps some of my professors will be connected.

[nixy]

Yeah, I don’t think just sending an app to her chambers is going to do much, especially since she would have had clerks working for her already and she might well just take them with her to start.

[Fireworks2016]

Law360 just had an article about the clerks she's taking to SCOTUS (I think all four had SCOTUS experience and were in practice), so if you're applying for now, I think you're out of luck.

And if you're applying for future terms, I'd guess that would be largely made up of the clerks she had already hired for the 7th Circuit, just a term or two later than they had signed up for.

[Anonymous User]

Good lead on the Law360 article, thanks. Appreciate your all's input.

[Anonymous User]

Annoying 'chance me' post. Apologies.

I've accepted a California (non-N.D. Cal.) district court clerkship for 2021-22. I didn't really think I'd have a shot at a circuit court clerkship when I initially applied, but now that I have some post-law school work experience and the trial court gig lined up, I figured I might as well make a run at the thing. What does everyone think? Planning to apply broadly.

UG: Flagship public with straight As (think Berkeley, Michigan, UCLA, UVA)
LS: MVP
LSGPA: Mid-3.6 range (above median, but sub-cum laude)
Work experience: two years at a top Bay Area firm (think Cooley, MoFo, WSGR)
Other: Secondary journal, RA, strong recs, a couple fancy profs willing to make calls

[Anonymous User]

Annoying 'chance me' post. Apologies.

I've accepted a California (non-N.D. Cal.) district court clerkship for 2021-22. I didn't really think I'd have a shot at a circuit court clerkship when I initially applied, but now that I have some post-law school work experience and the trial court gig lined up, I figured I might as well make a run at the thing. What does everyone think? Planning to apply broadly.

UG: Flagship public with straight As (think Berkeley, Michigan, UCLA, UVA)
LS: MVP
LSGPA: Mid-3.6 range (above median, but sub-cum laude)
Work experience: two years at a top Bay Area firm (think Cooley, MoFo, WSGR)
Other: Secondary journal, RA, strong recs, a couple fancy profs willing to make calls

I like your chances if you aren't married to 2/9/DC. Plenty of circuit judges will like your work experience + district court clerkship.