Sequestration? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anyone out there have any sense of the effect the sequestration will have on current clerks? I know the judiciary has been talking about some combination of layoffs and furloughs to make its cuts, but does anyone out there know how this will effect current law clerks?

[Anonymous User]

My understanding is that law clerks and chambers staff more generally are considered essential employees and shouldn't be directly affected. I could be wrong though.

[nevdash]

I made a similar thread in the Legal Employment forum last month: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... &p=6287984

Only a couple of replies, but it seems like we should be alright.

[Anonymous User]

It depends on your district and judge. My judge already said that if we get sequestered, our salary will be reduced to pay based on a 30-35 hour work week, but we will still have to work our normal hours.

[patrickd139]

I made a similar thread in the Legal Employment forum last month: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... &p=6287984

Only a couple of replies, but it seems like we should be alright.

My friends at the US-A office who are worried about not getting paid. Anecdotal at best, and for sure they're less important than a judge, but I'm not sure why an AUSA would be less important than a judicial clerk.

[A. Nony Mouse]

It depends on your district and judge. My judge already said that if we get sequestered, our salary will be reduced to pay based on a 30-35 hour work week, but we will still have to work our normal hours.

Wowsa. That sucks. Thankfully, mine hasn't said a word about it, so I'm assuming no effect is anticipated.

(I'm not saying law clerks are more important than AUSAs, but they are paid out of different pots of money.)

[nevdash]

It depends on your district and judge. My judge already said that if we get sequestered, our salary will be reduced to pay based on a 30-35 hour work week, but we will still have to work our normal hours.

Wow, that's so fucked. I know we're not doing it for the money, but it's difficult enough to service loans and still live like an actual person on ~$57k.

[09042014]

It depends on your district and judge. My judge already said that if we get sequestered, our salary will be reduced to pay based on a 30-35 hour work week, but we will still have to work our normal hours.

Wow, that's so fucked. I know we're not doing it for the money, but it's difficult enough to service loans and still live like an actual person on ~$57k.

Go on IBR.

[A. Nony Mouse]

It depends on your district and judge. My judge already said that if we get sequestered, our salary will be reduced to pay based on a 30-35 hour work week, but we will still have to work our normal hours.

Wow, that's so fucked. I know we're not doing it for the money, but it's difficult enough to service loans and still live like an actual person on ~$57k.

Go on IBR.

Dude, like we're not all already on IBR?

[09042014]

It depends on your district and judge. My judge already said that if we get sequestered, our salary will be reduced to pay based on a 30-35 hour work week, but we will still have to work our normal hours.

Wow, that's so fucked. I know we're not doing it for the money, but it's difficult enough to service loans and still live like an actual person on ~$57k.

Go on IBR.

Dude, like we're not all already on IBR?

Then don't bitch about servicing loans.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Go on IBR.

Dude, like we're not all already on IBR?

Then don't bitch about servicing loans.

Wait, what? Why are we not allowed to bitch about paying off loans? I thought that was an inalienable right of law school grads.

[patrickd139]

Go on IBR.

Dude, like we're not all already on IBR?

Then don't bitch about servicing loans.

Saw that one coming.

[09042014]

Go on IBR.

Dude, like we're not all already on IBR?

Then don't bitch about servicing loans.

Wait, what? Why are we not allowed to bitch about paying off loans? I thought that was an inalienable right of law school grads.

Damn it, checkmate

[Total Litigator]

Also, federal courts don't tend to get too worked up over this sort of stuff, because the courts usually have enough court fee cash reserves to function normally for at least a month or so without federal funding, i.e. reasonably enough time to wait out congressional inaction.

[09042014]

Also, federal courts don't tend to get too worked up over this sort of stuff, because the courts usually have enough court fee cash reserves to function normally for at least a month or so without federal funding, i.e. reasonably enough time to wait out congressional inaction.

Well the sequestration isn't a government shut down. It's looking like a permanent budget cut.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone out there have any sense of the effect the sequestration will have on current clerks? I know the judiciary has been talking about some combination of layoffs and furloughs to make its cuts, but does anyone out there know how this will effect current law clerks?

Any new info on the fallout starting Friday?

[Anonymous User]

I asked in my chambers, and the JA and my co-clerk (career) just looked at me blankly, like they'd never heard of sequestration. Which was sort of amusing because it was the same day I read a piece online (NY Law Journal or something?) in which SDNY (and I think EDNY) judges/staff bemoaned the horrific impact the sequester was going to have. So it seems it varies by district?

The JA did say, though, that she thought bankruptcy court had been told they might have to have a few furlough days. She said the specialty courts are paid out of a different pool than district courts (and that because district court chambers staff are considered essential they're not generally furloughed).

[Anonymous User]

Law clerks and judges will not be affected directly, i.e., no changes to salary/furlough for clerks. Law clerks are essential employees and a separate part of the judicial budget. Those directly affected are other members of court staff, notably courtroom deputy clerks and the like. I'd assume the exact impact varies by district because the budgetary needs of each district vary based on size, but that's how it's going to work. Should things change, you'll at least be given notice (I think 30 days or so is required, actually). But the impact is on court management rather than the legal side.

[hdivschool]

Any updates on this? Can any current clerks comment on if/how the budget cuts have affected their chambers?