2024-2025 post clerkship hiring Forum

[Anonymous User]

Just entered the DC biglaw market bc im a revoked honors offer person who is currently clerking in a major market….need to end up in DC for family reasons…how screwed am I? From the looks of it, a ton of firms aren’t even hiring clerks??? Help…

[Anonymous User]

Visibility into DC hiring seems really low this cycle, esp relative to last year (see 23-24 hiring thread). What’s going on?

[Anonymous User]

Visibility into DC hiring seems really low this cycle, esp relative to last year (see 23-24 hiring thread). What’s going on?

I don’t have an explanation but I’ve noticed the same thing. For transparency, I’ve submitted about 15 applications to DC lit groups. So far they have produced two screeners and one callback.

[Anonymous User]

Visibility into DC hiring seems really low this cycle, esp relative to last year (see 23-24 hiring thread). What’s going on?

I don’t have an explanation but I’ve noticed the same thing. For transparency, I’ve submitted about 15 applications to DC lit groups. So far they have produced two screeners and one callback.

Similar experience. Two screeners (one callback), two rejections. Dead silence on the other 10 applications despite some follow-ups. Anyone heard from Covington DC in particular?

[Anonymous User]

Kellogg has sent out offers. Molo is interviewing.

[Anonymous User]

As a data point, some clerks I know already heard back from a couple of DC BigLaw firms for lit: Williams & Connolly, Kellogg Hansen, Skadden. So there's been some movement.

[Anonymous User]

As another data point, I’ve had 2 callbacks that led to rejections. And a lot of silence. Chicago lit

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone been asked to perform a writing exercise after a callback? Tips appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

Just entered the DC biglaw market bc im a revoked honors offer person who is currently clerking in a major market….need to end up in DC for family reasons…how screwed am I? From the looks of it, a ton of firms aren’t even hiring clerks??? Help…

Bump. I might be in this boat soon with the recent slashing of the federal workforce.

[abelo]

Just entered the DC biglaw market bc im a revoked honors offer person who is currently clerking in a major market….need to end up in DC for family reasons…how screwed am I? From the looks of it, a ton of firms aren’t even hiring clerks??? Help…

Bump. I might be in this boat soon with the recent slashing of the federal workforce.

Isn’t this the same question that everyone else has, whether or not they have a post-clerkship position that has been or might be eliminated? We all want to know who’s interviewing and who’s done hiring. Can you guys be specific about the unique issues you want help with?

[Anonymous User]

Please tell us where you applied, when, when you interviewed, when you heard back, and what they told you.

[Anonymous User]

A lot of firms just seem to want a resume and transcript, with cover letter optional. Any thoughts on how necessary the cover letter is? I've spent a while for top-choice firms customizing cover letters, speaking with clerks to get more information, etc.... but the one screener I've gotten was from a firm I just emailed by resume and transcript to because it wasn't clear how to apply, and they immediately requested to schedule an interview.

If it makes a difference, I'm targeting DC, current COA clerk (not DC/2/7/9), above median at HYS.

[Anonymous User]

Clerking in DC market (DMD/DDC/EDVA)

applied to 40+ DC firms only in the last 10 days or so (revoked Doj honors offer so im late to the cycle).

Have 2 screeners lined up for next week.

Have had about a dozen rejections outright (either firms not looking for clerks or only hiring for specific postings (none of which would be general lit) and then some actual rejections).

not thrilled about how this is all playing out but 2 screeners is better than none!

[spollo4]

Similar boat, 2020 T-14 grad, current CoA clerk. Just one screener (w/callback) for biglaw appellate gig. Rejection on 3 without interview, silence on about 10 despite solid connections.

[Anonymous User]

Any more news about movement in DC hiring? I'm a COA clerk outside of DC/2/7/9 and have submitted a couple dozen applications in the last month. Covington/Wilmer/Jenner would be the dream, but the only bite I've gotten was a screener from a different V25 that responded to my application almost instantly. I can't tell if those other firms have already read my application and de facto declined at this point, or if they're just not interviewing anybody yet (or if they'd basically filled their interview spots by mid-January). This whole process is so opaque and the timelines are maddeningly unclear.

[Anonymous User]

Any more news about movement in DC hiring? I'm a COA clerk outside of DC/2/7/9 and have submitted a couple dozen applications in the last month. Covington/Wilmer/Jenner would be the dream, but the only bite I've gotten was a screener from a different V25 that responded to my application almost instantly. I can't tell if those other firms have already read my application and de facto declined at this point, or if they're just not interviewing anybody yet (or if they'd basically filled their interview spots by mid-January). This whole process is so opaque and the timelines are maddeningly unclear.

Some of the clerks on my COA have reported dings without interviews at DC firms that haven’t responded to me. So it’s possible that we’re in limbo.

I didn’t see that Wilmer had a generic post-clerkship spot open, but I applied to Covington’s and haven’t heard anything. After two screeners in January it has been dead silent. 25 applications, T14 magna, flyover COA. At this point, should I should pick another market and try to get *a* job before it’s too late?

[Anonymous User]

Also in the DC clerk market. Started applying early Feb. couple screeners so far. Seems like V20-V50 is biting but crickets for V20 firms. Applying general lit not appellate if it makes a difference.

[Anonymous User]

Seems like this year is set up to be a bit of a DC market bloodbath with the influx of extra government lawyers applying, some/all are probably more attractive than clerks (and don’t require a clerkship bonus). Glass half full version: maybe firms are waiting to start hiring in earnest to see what the talent pool looks like given government chaos, and clerks aren’t totally out of the picture despite silence.

[Anonymous User]

COA here with dings across DC. Should've applied way sooner....

HODL, folks, HODL.

[Anonymous User]

Seems like this year is set up to be a bit of a DC market bloodbath with the influx of extra government lawyers applying, some/all are probably more attractive than clerks (and don’t require a clerkship bonus). Glass half full version: maybe firms are waiting to start hiring in earnest to see what the talent pool looks like given government chaos, and clerks aren’t totally out of the picture despite silence.

I wouldn't count on it just being DC either. This could be bleeding into New York also.

[Anonymous User]

Was told by my law school career centers that the market will move just very slowly. If you left a firm to go clerk, time to start strongly considering going back. Better bet than the market right now.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard about Chicago lit? Sidley, Jenner, Kirkland, Latham, or boutiques like Molo

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard about Chicago lit? Sidley, Jenner, Kirkland, Latham, or boutiques like Molo

I heard back quickly from Kirkland. Had a callback last month and was rejected. Silence from the rest

I know of someone who got an offer from an elite boutique and had a callback at another, but I don’t know the exact timeline for each

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard about Chicago lit? Sidley, Jenner, Kirkland, Latham, or boutiques like Molo

Don't know about the Chicago office specifically, but Molo is interviewing.

[Anonymous User]

Lots of info on DC in here. How are my LA folks doing?