Best and worst judges to clerk for Forum

[ANobody]

Nielson (D. Utah) is, from what I understand, incredible. Helps clerks get COA clerkships. Kind. High expectations.

PM me?

So the best thing to do would be to email mworley88+atl at gmail. That should get you someone able to answer any questions you have.

[Anonymous User]

Nielson (D. Utah) is, from what I understand, incredible. Helps clerks get COA clerkships. Kind. High expectations.

I'm curious what you mean by high expectations. As in expects clerks to work hard/produce high quality work or high standard for applicants?

[HillandHollow]

Anyone have any intel on E.D. Michigan judges? Specifically Drain or Goldsmith.

Anything in particular you'd like to know?
I did not clerk for either, but I really liked Drain in particular. He is very efficient, taking care of matters much faster than most. We chalked this up to his state court experience, where things are often handled from the bench. His clerks really liked him and enjoyed their time. I only really encountered Goldsmith at court wide events and in the hallways, and he seemed like a real nice guy. I don't remember if I socialized with his clerks much, so I don't have any insight into his chambers or anything.

Feel free to pm me if necessary.

[Anonymous User]

As correctly noted earlier in the thread, Livingston usually hires one very-qualified-but-below-SCOTUS-credentials clerk from Columbia each year. (This is at least sometimes a person who impressed in one of her classes.) The other clerks usually have credentials that would put them in the running for SCOTUS, though obviously most of them don't actually go on to that.

[Anonymous User]

It's not hiring right now, but I have some decent info on the Iowa Supreme Court that might be useful to future applicants. I think it's attractive for Iowans both because it has a lot of good judges, most of whom wouldn't look out of place on the Eighth Circuit, and because a lot of the federal clerkships in the state are unattractive (Colloton is both highly selective and a difficult personality, Kelly doesn't hire law students, most of the district court judges do partly or exclusively two-year commitments).

McDermott and Waterman were both leading litigators in Iowa in private practice. Both are center-right, good bosses, and well-connected. Mansfield is maybe the best-known justice on the court out of state and is quite conservative (he was on the Trump list). A bit grouchy maybe but seems harmless. McDonald is really smart, really conservative, and reportedly a great boss. Christensen is a delightful woman and had a really interesting and unique path to the court. I believe her clerk lives in Harlan, which is pretty small. Appel is the court's lone liberal at the moment and writes a bunch of incredibly long dissents, but he won't be around for much longer. I don't know anything about Oxley.

[Anonymous User]

On the topic of Iowa, Judge Pratt once sat by designation on the COA with my judge and he was DELIGHTFUL. Just incredibly nice and very thoughtful. I have no idea what he is like as a boss, but his clerks seem to like him.

[Anonymous User]

On the topic of Iowa, Judge Pratt once sat by designation on the COA with my judge and he was DELIGHTFUL. Just incredibly nice and very thoughtful. I have no idea what he is like as a boss, but his clerks seem to like him.

Judge Pratt notably does take one-year clerks and as far as I know he is very active for a senior judge. He's also genuinely really liberal which is pretty unique in the state (though Kelly is as well).

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any intel on Judge Nardini on the 2nd circuit? Very recent appointee but from all external appearances weirdly non-ideological for a Trump appellate appointee and wondering about disposition, workflow, preferences, etc.

(This is coming from the perspective of someone who wouldn't seek out a hard right judge)

[Anonymous User]

On the topic of Iowa, Judge Pratt once sat by designation on the COA with my judge and he was DELIGHTFUL. Just incredibly nice and very thoughtful. I have no idea what he is like as a boss, but his clerks seem to like him.

I have a friend who clerked for Judge Pratt and has nothing but glowing things to say about the clerkship.

[LBJ's Hair]

Does anyone have any intel on Judge Nardini on the 2nd circuit? Very recent appointee but from all external appearances weirdly non-ideological for a Trump appellate appointee and wondering about disposition, workflow, preferences, etc.

(This is coming from the perspective of someone who wouldn't seek out a hard right judge)

Honestly, the only CA2 appointee that would raise liberal eyebrows (deservedly or undeservedly) is Menashi.

Sullivan and Bianco were respected SDNY/EDNY district court judges, and Nardini is a former AUSA who faced no Dem opposition in the Senate. Park is clearly conservative legal movement-y, but not overtly "political" -- he spent all his time in private practice.

[LBJ's Hair]

(I had a professor, from one of these places, who told me they would be happy to write a strong rec letter for me to CA2, but not to Katzmann in particular, because my grades were not quite in that range and it wasn't realistic for me. Talk about cutting things finely!)

ETA: Livingston is also pretty much in that range; I didn't mean to imply Katzmann is alone in being that picky.

My mid-T14 clerkship office was under the, perhaps misguided, impression that Livingston was more attainable than Rakoff/Katzmann (who did not hire from us). As I found out later they had been trying every year to place a FedSoc clerk who was just below tippy-top feeder level with Livingston, and she never bit. They tried the same with Kethledge and eventually broke through with him after several cycles of trying.

Not super surprising. Livingston is a Republican appointee but she's never really cared about the FedSoc thing. Might not even be a member. Her hires are all dog-and-pony show types from HYS + Columbia.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any intel on Judge Nardini on the 2nd circuit? Very recent appointee but from all external appearances weirdly non-ideological for a Trump appellate appointee and wondering about disposition, workflow, preferences, etc.

(This is coming from the perspective of someone who wouldn't seek out a hard right judge)

Honestly, the only CA2 appointee that would raise liberal eyebrows (deservedly or undeservedly) is Menashi.

Sullivan and Bianco were respected SDNY/EDNY district court judges, and Nardini is a former AUSA who faced no Dem opposition in the Senate. Park is clearly conservative legal movement-y, but not overtly "political" -- he spent all his time in private practice.

There are exceptions (e.g. Kevin Newsom and Jay Richardson), but most of the Trump appellate appointees who had really lopsided confirmations aren't really ideological at all (e.g. I don't think Michael Scudder or Amy St. Eve hire Fed Soc students). There are also some judges who had tight confirmations for whatever reason who aren't really ideological (e.g. Eric Miller).

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Friedland on CA9?

Only that she's brilliant. Fmr CA9 clerk here; did not clerk for Friedland but she's one of the best young lefties on the Circuit. She and her clerks both work hard. I knew one person who clerked for her. That person had impeccable credentials (think HYS, law review, name-brand D. Ct. clerkship prior). Friedland's terrific.

Now that Kozinski is gone, Friedland's clerks probably work the most hours in the circuit.

Ikuta (and her clerks) would disagree.

How many hours a week do Ikuta clerks work in comparison to Friedland clerks? What about Watford clerks?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone accept an offer from Livingston?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Friedland on CA9?

Only that she's brilliant. Fmr CA9 clerk here; did not clerk for Friedland but she's one of the best young lefties on the Circuit. She and her clerks both work hard. I knew one person who clerked for her. That person had impeccable credentials (think HYS, law review, name-brand D. Ct. clerkship prior). Friedland's terrific.

Now that Kozinski is gone, Friedland's clerks probably work the most hours in the circuit.

Ikuta (and her clerks) would disagree.

How many hours a week do Ikuta clerks work in comparison to Friedland clerks? What about Watford clerks?

60-70/week for Ikuta is the semi-reliable ballpark I’ve heard. She works the hours too though and she’s supposed to be a fantastic boss/mentor and a kind person.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone accept an offer from Livingston?

Wrong thread

[Anonymous User]

Anyone accept an offer from Livingston?

Wrong thread

Oops

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Friedland on CA9?

Only that she's brilliant. Fmr CA9 clerk here; did not clerk for Friedland but she's one of the best young lefties on the Circuit. She and her clerks both work hard. I knew one person who clerked for her. That person had impeccable credentials (think HYS, law review, name-brand D. Ct. clerkship prior). Friedland's terrific.

Now that Kozinski is gone, Friedland's clerks probably work the most hours in the circuit.

Ikuta (and her clerks) would disagree.

How many hours a week do Ikuta clerks work in comparison to Friedland clerks? What about Watford clerks?

This is all second/thirdhand, but Ikuta I've heard 60+ (+= however much weekend work, sounded like ~60 per workweek), and that Watford is actually fairly reasonable for a feeder judge, but not sure exactly how much that entails...

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any intel on Judge Nardini on the 2nd circuit? Very recent appointee but from all external appearances weirdly non-ideological for a Trump appellate appointee and wondering about disposition, workflow, preferences, etc.

(This is coming from the perspective of someone who wouldn't seek out a hard right judge)

Honestly, the only CA2 appointee that would raise liberal eyebrows (deservedly or undeservedly) is Menashi.

Sullivan and Bianco were respected SDNY/EDNY district court judges, and Nardini is a former AUSA who faced no Dem opposition in the Senate. Park is clearly conservative legal movement-y, but not overtly "political" -- he spent all his time in private practice.

Disagree with assessment re: Park. The small firm at which he was a name partner is like Trump's go-to lit boutique. Hard to imagine a more political background in private practice.

Anon to share opinion, based on time clerking for AIII judge in CT and interactions during my clerkship with Nardini when he was at USAO, that I did not get super ideological vibes from him other than the usual government perspective that you expect from someone in that position. I was surprised by his appointment by this administration and wonder what the story was.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any intel on Judge Nardini on the 2nd circuit? Very recent appointee but from all external appearances weirdly non-ideological for a Trump appellate appointee and wondering about disposition, workflow, preferences, etc.

(This is coming from the perspective of someone who wouldn't seek out a hard right judge)

Honestly, the only CA2 appointee that would raise liberal eyebrows (deservedly or undeservedly) is Menashi.

Sullivan and Bianco were respected SDNY/EDNY district court judges, and Nardini is a former AUSA who faced no Dem opposition in the Senate. Park is clearly conservative legal movement-y, but not overtly "political" -- he spent all his time in private practice.

Disagree with assessment re: Park. The small firm at which he was a name partner is like Trump's go-to lit boutique. Hard to imagine a more political background in private practice.

Anon to share opinion, based on time clerking for AIII judge in CT and interactions during my clerkship with Nardini when he was at USAO, that I did not get super ideological vibes from him other than the usual government perspective that you expect from someone in that position. I was surprised by his appointment by this administration and wonder what the story was.

Park’s work at Consovoy (and previously at Dechert) was almost entirely commercial/white collar/securities appeals, not political stuff, and I’ve heard he’s not very ideological compared to Menashi, etc. Consovoy is still Consovoy but I don’t think he did any Trump stuff (though he worked on the Harvard case). I know for a fact that he’s hired at least one straight-up liberal clerk.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Friedland on CA9?

Only that she's brilliant. Fmr CA9 clerk here; did not clerk for Friedland but she's one of the best young lefties on the Circuit. She and her clerks both work hard. I knew one person who clerked for her. That person had impeccable credentials (think HYS, law review, name-brand D. Ct. clerkship prior). Friedland's terrific.

Now that Kozinski is gone, Friedland's clerks probably work the most hours in the circuit.

Ikuta (and her clerks) would disagree.

How many hours a week do Ikuta clerks work in comparison to Friedland clerks? What about Watford clerks?

This is all second/thirdhand, but Ikuta I've heard 60+ (+= however much weekend work, sounded like ~60 per workweek), and that Watford is actually fairly reasonable for a feeder judge, but not sure exactly how much that entails...

Cool thanks! So it sounds like Ikuta/Friedland clerks work the longest hours on the circuit.

[Anonymous User]

Could someone talk to the reputations / work-life of some of the judges in the Sixth Circuit like Thapar, Sutton, and Kethledge?

[Anonymous User]

Could someone talk to the reputations / work-life of some of the judges in the Sixth Circuit like Thapar, Sutton, and Kethledge?

If you mean literally those three they are two significant feeders and maybe the #2 feeder in the country at the moment. Obviously their reputations are good. I imagine none are easy clerkships but as far as I know none are Kozinski-esque.

If you mean the Sixth Circuit more broadly, that’s a pretty different question; those three aren’t much like the rest of the circuit in selectivity.

[Anonymous User]

Could someone talk to the reputations / work-life of some of the judges in the Sixth Circuit like Thapar, Sutton, and Kethledge?

I can give my perception of the three based on an outside view. My guess is that Thapar has the longest hours, but I can't guarantee that. He is known for going down rabbit holes at times. I expect you work moderately but not unreasonably hard for all three (Thapar could be an exception). The Sixth's caseload is very manageable.

In terms of personality, Sutton seems like the gold standard. He's very personable and charming. Kethledge is also a personable and likable guy. Thapar is a little different in terms of personality. I won't say bad because he seems like a nice enough person (and we found it very easy to work with him and his chambers). I'd just say that he can be aloof and a little arrogant. But that's an outsider's view. He may well be different with his clerks.

[Anonymous User]

Could someone talk to the reputations / work-life of some of the judges in the Sixth Circuit like Thapar, Sutton, and Kethledge?

If you mean the Sixth Circuit more broadly, that’s a pretty different question; those three aren’t much like the rest of the circuit in selectivity.

I think Judge Clay is the only Sixth Circuit judge that would make your work-life actively unpleasant. Pretty much everybody knows his reputation at this point. It also wouldn't surprise me if Judge Moore's clerks were logging very heavy hours, but her clerks also seem generally happy, and she's reported to be a good mentor.

Everybody else seems very reasonable -- especially the other longer-tenured active judges like Gibbons, Stranch, or Griffin (to name a few).