Clerks Taking Questions Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi clerks; thanks for taking the time to do this!

I'm at GW, looking to apply for federal clerkships, and I'm wondering if it would be better to be a Dean's Fellow (who are attached to our LRW program) or to take an internship with a federal agency. Because of time constraints, I don't think I'll have time to do both. I'm thinking that the LRW position will look better, since it'd be teaching research and writing. But I could be wrong. Thoughts?

[leobowski]

It's my understanding that UT has one of the best clerkship counselors out there - also that they did really well this year. Berkeley may play better on the 9th, though, and some firms will value a 9th cir clerkship more than a clerkship on one of the circuits where UT's strongest (e.g. 5, 10).

UT isn't particularly strong on the 10th. It's mostly top schools with a healthy share of local oddballs (e.g. briscoe's preference for the top kids at KU). And the more desirable areas in the 10th (such as Denver) are basically all T6ers these days.

[arez]

How much does the degree to which your school's prestige matters differ from region to region? I'm a 0L from a midwestern city (that I suspect most would not want to live in if they didn't have roots there) and just out of curiosity, I looked at where the recent clerks for the federal judges based in my hometown went to school. I was surprised to discover that the majority of them were from local TTTs. Is this unusual?

[Anonymous User]

Not that uncommon for TTT grads at the top of their class to land clerkships with local federal judges. Ties to the area are very important...

[traydeuce]

It's my understanding that UT has one of the best clerkship counselors out there - also that they did really well this year. Berkeley may play better on the 9th, though, and some firms will value a 9th cir clerkship more than a clerkship on one of the circuits where UT's strongest (e.g. 5, 10).

UT isn't particularly strong on the 10th. It's mostly top schools with a healthy share of local oddballs (e.g. briscoe's preference for the top kids at KU). And the more desirable areas in the 10th (such as Denver) are basically all T6ers these days.

I know for a fact that UT landed clerkships with Hartz, Ebel and Gorsuch for next year; that's not quantity, I guess, but it is quality.

[Lincoln]

Apologies if this is somewhere in this thread; I didn't find it.

My school's clerkship advisers insist we should add as much information to our resumes as we can, and that they should be two pages. This seems odd to me: Why would the format for clerkships really be that different from resumes sent to firms? Can any of you give me your insight?

[Anonymous User]

Apologies if this is somewhere in this thread; I didn't find it.

My school's clerkship advisers insist we should add as much information to our resumes as we can, and that they should be two pages. This seems odd to me: Why would the format for clerkships really be that different from resumes sent to firms? Can any of you give me your insight?

Honestly, sounds like a clueless clerkship adviser...

[Anonymous User]

Hi clerks; thanks for taking the time to do this!

I'm at GW, looking to apply for federal clerkships, and I'm wondering if it would be better to be a Dean's Fellow (who are attached to our LRW program) or to take an internship with a federal agency. Because of time constraints, I don't think I'll have time to do both. I'm thinking that the LRW position will look better, since it'd be teaching research and writing. But I could be wrong. Thoughts?

I'm not sure that this would matter all that much for clerking. The more important question, especially since clerking is only a stepping stone, is which would be better for you in the long run. Are you interested in working for that agency or doing the sort of work that the agency does? If yes, then take the internship with the federal agency.

[woeisme]

Apologies if this is somewhere in this thread; I didn't find it.

My school's clerkship advisers insist we should add as much information to our resumes as we can, and that they should be two pages. This seems odd to me: Why would the format for clerkships really be that different from resumes sent to firms? Can any of you give me your insight?

Yeah, I remember this. I think the message was not so much that clerkship resumes should be two pages as much as it is that there's no real problem if they are. I've found this to be true though I'm not sure why. I do think you'd be fine using the firm resume too (if there really isn't much you've left out that might in someway appeal to a judge).

[Lincoln]

Apologies if this is somewhere in this thread; I didn't find it.

My school's clerkship advisers insist we should add as much information to our resumes as we can, and that they should be two pages. This seems odd to me: Why would the format for clerkships really be that different from resumes sent to firms? Can any of you give me your insight?

Yeah, I remember this. I think the message was not so much that clerkship resumes should be two pages as much as it is that there's no real problem if they are. I've found this to be true though I'm not sure why. I do think you'd be fine using the firm resume too (if there really isn't much you've left out that might in someway appeal to a judge).

Yeah... you and I are/were at the same school, I think. I'm kinda hoping someone else will chime in. I don't think it will matter that much, but I just don't trust the staff's advice when it comes to clerkships, given our mediocre placement.

[Torvon]

Apologies if this is somewhere in this thread; I didn't find it.

My school's clerkship advisers insist we should add as much information to our resumes as we can, and that they should be two pages. This seems odd to me: Why would the format for clerkships really be that different from resumes sent to firms? Can any of you give me your insight?

I hear these guys have pretty good placement:

It is not crucial to confine your resume to one page for clerkships, though a good goal. Many applicants, such as students with other advanced degrees or with extensive previous work experience, can legitimately extend their resumes to a second page.

Of course, that is the 2008 version--so four years ago.

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview lined up with a D.Ct. judge. How do I prepare for it? He is relatively new to the bench so there isn't much info about him online.

[Anonymous User]

What sort of doors would an ED PA clerkship open up as far as large firms in Philadelphia and NYC?

[Anonymous User]

How long should applicants wait in between off-plan cycles? That is, how long until it's unlikely that a round of judges won't get back to me, making it safe to apply to a new batch?

[Anonymous User]

Just got a bunch of tax and other forms to fill out from my art III judge's secretary. she also sent me a brochure about employee benefits.
for some reason i thought health insurance was completely covered- but it looks like we have to pay 25% of the premium? any idea how much this will be?

[flightcontrol]

...

[Anonymous User]

Applying to a D.Ct. judge that I have somewhat of a connection with (both geographically and know someone clerking for him this term). Appropriate to say that his chambers is my first choice for a clerkship, or is that trying to hard?

[Anonymous User]

Applying to a D.Ct. judge that I have somewhat of a connection with (both geographically and know someone clerking for him this term). Appropriate to say that his chambers is my first choice for a clerkship, or is that trying to hard?

Trying too hard. Statements like "first choice" just are not part of the clerkship app vocabulary.

[Anonymous User]

for some reason i thought health insurance was completely covered- but it looks like we have to pay 25% of the premium? any idea how much this will be?

In 2011, I paid around $50 per pay period (biweekly) for the Basic option Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The 2012 rates can be found here:

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/rates/ ... fs2012.pdf

It all depends on what plan you pick.

[Anonymous User]

Applying to a D.Ct. judge that I have somewhat of a connection with (both geographically and know someone clerking for him this term). Appropriate to say that his chambers is my first choice for a clerkship, or is that trying to hard?

Trying too hard. Statements like "first choice" just are not part of the clerkship app vocabulary.

Kirsten Solberg disagrees with you, FWIW.

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview lined up with a D.Ct. judge. How do I prepare for it? He is relatively new to the bench so there isn't much info about him online.

--LinkRemoved-- - question 9 has a few links that should be helpful. Good luck.

Thanks, GTL!

[kalvano]

Since I have been working all week with my faculty adviser on this, I have to ask: how much does a cover letter, letter of recommendation, etc., matter? I get the impression that, much like admission to law school, it's pretty much a numbers game.

True, false, in-between?

[Tyrion Lannister]

Applying to a D.Ct. judge that I have somewhat of a connection with (both geographically and know someone clerking for him this term). Appropriate to say that his chambers is my first choice for a clerkship, or is that trying to hard?

Rather than "first choice," you might note that you would accept an offer if made.

[Tyrion Lannister]

Since I have been working all week with my faculty adviser on this, I have to ask: how much does a cover letter, letter of recommendation, etc., matter? I get the impression that, much like admission to law school, it's pretty much a numbers game.

True, false, in-between?

In-between. A good recommendation from someone a particular judge knows and respects can make up to some extent for a numbers deficiency.

[Anonymous User]

Do you think it is useful to put a sentence or two in the cover letter to the effect of: "I understand that many judges this year are hiring early, but if you intend to hire on-plan, I apologize for the early application and wish to be considered at that time."? Is it a real possibility that an application to a judge now will offend the judge and this language would keep an app being thrown out?