Bristow Fellowship Forum

[Anonymous User]

After graduation, I will be clerking for a judge who has sent a few clerks to the Bristow Fellowship and to the Supreme Court over the years. I intend to apply to both with the full understanding that they are long shots. That said, I have a few questions.

How often do Bristow Fellows who apply for SCOTUS clerkships not get one? I would assume that getting a Bristow Fellowship signals SCOTUS clerk-level credentials; so why would someone who gets a Bristow not be able to get a SCOTUS clerkship afterward? Do Bristow Fellows who do not clerk on the Court get a firm bonus comparable to the $280k SCOTUS bonus or just the normal bonus for their pre-Bristow clerkship(s)?

[Anonymous User]

I'm in a very similar position (I wonder if it could be the same judge?). And I have thought the same question - why some Bristows don't get SCOTUS clerkships. I assume it is kind of like when the occasional Kavanaugh or Garland clerk (i.e. clerks for judges that usually send 3 or 4 per term) does not get a SCOTUS clerkship. SCOTUS Justices, like other judges, are probably very particular about who they hire, and I bet sometimes a candidate just strikes out.

I don't know how SCOTUS clerk hiring really works (is it normal to interview with several justices for the same term?), but I can definitely imagine a candidate who, despite coming from Bristow, just doesn't do well enough in the interview to get the job.

Also, I have never heard of a Bristow getting the SCOTUS bonus without the SCOTUS clerkship.

[Anonymous User]

Just a theory, not backed by much in the way of evidence: perhaps Bristow hiring is less driven by professor connections, which I believe play a significant role in SCOTUS hiring. Put another way, Bristow hiring might, in a sense, be more "purely" meritocratic and therefore select people from schools that don't have SCOTUS connections. This comes to mind because I personally know two non-SCOTUS Bristows who went to Minnesota and NYU -- which aren't really SCOTUS clerkship powerhouses. Again, this is basically just wild speculation.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know more about how Bristow hiring works? I've read the application requirements, which sound pretty basic. I assume there is an interview? Also, what qualifications (aside from top-of-the-class grades and an appellate clerkship) are important? For example, does the program care if the applicant has appellate advocacy experience (moot court and the like)?

[Anonymous User]

Bump

[Anonymous User]

Any more insight into Bristow hiring?

[Another]

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[Anonymous User]

bump - anyone know what the timeline is for this thing?

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

I believe the process is mostly you apply and then you get a call sometime in November if you get the Fellowship. The shutdown may have affected things, but I don't believe there's an interview process.

[Anonymous User]

any news on this?

[Anonymous User]

I'm contemplating applying for next year - how many people apply? What are the stats on those waiting to hear?

[Anonymous User]

good luck!

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know of anyone who's heard from the Bristow committee? Seems like they made their calls around this time last year.

[Anonymous User]

Very interesting that they do the hiring without any interviews. Other than phenomenal credentials, what helps you get hired? Calls from people with inside connections?

[Anonymous User]

I haven't heard of anyone yet - maybe delayed by shutdown? Anyone else?

[Anonymous User]

I give up

[Anonymous User]

Just got word they were announced

[Anonymous User]

Just got word they were announced

So who are they?