Let's Talk 8th Circuit! Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anybody have any update on Judge Gruender's one-year and two-year term clerkships for 2023?

[Anonymous User]

Re: Judge Colloton - I've heard from this thread that he's a tough boss and not a great mentor - all of which apply to the clerkship experience itself. Does he at least go to bat for his clerks?

[Anonymous User]

Re: Judge Colloton - I've heard from this thread that he's a tough boss and not a great mentor - all of which apply to the clerkship experience itself. Does he at least go to bat for his clerks?

I think the exact wording my clerkship office used to describe him was "not invested in his clerks' success compared to comparable judges," which may mean no, but he does have a number of former clerks in high places like biglaw appellate practices, top lit boutiques, a couple of federal judges, etc. and he's fed to SCOTUS very occasionally. I'm not sure the degree to which that was because of him though.

I do know he keeps in touch with the small group of his clerks who practice in Iowa, many of whom are power players in the state GOP scene likely headed to the judiciary eventually (the last two counsels to the governor, the Trump U.S. Attorney, an AUSA or two, etc.).

I've had a couple of conversations with him and would say he's definitely an odd duck fwiw. One of the Colloton clerks I know likes him but I know a lot really dislike their experiences. Everyone says he's smart and hard-working, it seems to be more personality/management/mentoring issues.

[Anonymous User]

Re: Judge Colloton - I've heard from this thread that he's a tough boss and not a great mentor - all of which apply to the clerkship experience itself. Does he at least go to bat for his clerks?

I think the exact wording my clerkship office used to describe him was "not invested in his clerks' success compared to comparable judges," which may mean no, but he does have a number of former clerks in high places like biglaw appellate practices, top lit boutiques, a couple of federal judges, etc. and he's fed to SCOTUS very occasionally. I'm not sure the degree to which that was because of him though.

I do know he keeps in touch with the small group of his clerks who practice in Iowa, many of whom are power players in the state GOP scene likely headed to the judiciary eventually (the last two counsels to the governor, the Trump U.S. Attorney, an AUSA or two, etc.).

I've had a couple of conversations with him and would say he's definitely an odd duck fwiw. One of the Colloton clerks I know likes him but I know a lot really dislike their experiences. Everyone says he's smart and hard-working, it seems to be more personality/management/mentoring issues.

Fascinating and very helpful - thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Ralph Erickson wrote an, uh, interesting concurrence in an abortion case:

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/21/01/192690P.pdf

He’s generally well-regarded but a non-legal, speculative fiction-esque opinion is pretty off the rails.

He’s joined by Shepherd, who also wrote his own, though less hokey, anti-Roe concurrence.

Note that Grasz and Shepherd also wrote the most widely denounced federal appellate pre-election case. It ruled that a procedurally unusual collateral attack on a consent order to extend an absentee ballot deadline entered by a state court was entitled to a preliminary injunction even though it was on a novel theory of constitutional law, only a few days before the election, and had serious standing problems.

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/20/10/203139P.pdf

It’ll be interesting to see if the Eighth Circuit gets more radical, a la parts of the Fifth and Eleventh, with a 6-3 SCOTUS.

Anymore info on Erickson? I’ve heard he is great and am considering applying. Not interested in ideology as much as whether he is just pleasant to work for and whether the workload is extreme/average/below average.

Also interested in this given recent OSCAR posting.

Anon because could be outed, but Judge Erickson has sent out interview invites.

[Anonymous User]

Ralph Erickson wrote an, uh, interesting concurrence in an abortion case:

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/21/01/192690P.pdf

He’s generally well-regarded but a non-legal, speculative fiction-esque opinion is pretty off the rails.

He’s joined by Shepherd, who also wrote his own, though less hokey, anti-Roe concurrence.

Note that Grasz and Shepherd also wrote the most widely denounced federal appellate pre-election case. It ruled that a procedurally unusual collateral attack on a consent order to extend an absentee ballot deadline entered by a state court was entitled to a preliminary injunction even though it was on a novel theory of constitutional law, only a few days before the election, and had serious standing problems.

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/20/10/203139P.pdf

It’ll be interesting to see if the Eighth Circuit gets more radical, a la parts of the Fifth and Eleventh, with a 6-3 SCOTUS.

Anymore info on Erickson? I’ve heard he is great and am considering applying. Not interested in ideology as much as whether he is just pleasant to work for and whether the workload is extreme/average/below average.

Also interested in this given recent OSCAR posting.

Anon because could be outed, but Judge Erickson has sent out interview invites.

2023-2024?

[Anonymous User]

Ralph Erickson wrote an, uh, interesting concurrence in an abortion case:

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/21/01/192690P.pdf

He’s generally well-regarded but a non-legal, speculative fiction-esque opinion is pretty off the rails.

He’s joined by Shepherd, who also wrote his own, though less hokey, anti-Roe concurrence.

Note that Grasz and Shepherd also wrote the most widely denounced federal appellate pre-election case. It ruled that a procedurally unusual collateral attack on a consent order to extend an absentee ballot deadline entered by a state court was entitled to a preliminary injunction even though it was on a novel theory of constitutional law, only a few days before the election, and had serious standing problems.

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/20/10/203139P.pdf

It’ll be interesting to see if the Eighth Circuit gets more radical, a la parts of the Fifth and Eleventh, with a 6-3 SCOTUS.

Anymore info on Erickson? I’ve heard he is great and am considering applying. Not interested in ideology as much as whether he is just pleasant to work for and whether the workload is extreme/average/below average.

Also interested in this given recent OSCAR posting.

Anon because could be outed, but Judge Erickson has sent out interview invites.

2023-2024?

2022-23 and 2023-24

[Anonymous User]

Ralph Erickson wrote an, uh, interesting concurrence in an abortion case:

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/21/01/192690P.pdf

He’s generally well-regarded but a non-legal, speculative fiction-esque opinion is pretty off the rails.

He’s joined by Shepherd, who also wrote his own, though less hokey, anti-Roe concurrence.

Note that Grasz and Shepherd also wrote the most widely denounced federal appellate pre-election case. It ruled that a procedurally unusual collateral attack on a consent order to extend an absentee ballot deadline entered by a state court was entitled to a preliminary injunction even though it was on a novel theory of constitutional law, only a few days before the election, and had serious standing problems.

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/20/10/203139P.pdf

It’ll be interesting to see if the Eighth Circuit gets more radical, a la parts of the Fifth and Eleventh, with a 6-3 SCOTUS.

Anymore info on Erickson? I’ve heard he is great and am considering applying. Not interested in ideology as much as whether he is just pleasant to work for and whether the workload is extreme/average/below average.

Also interested in this given recent OSCAR posting.

Anon because could be outed, but Judge Erickson has sent out interview invites.

2023-2024?

2022-23 and 2023-24

Thanks for sharing! Was his 2023-24 vacancy also on OSCAR? Only saw the 2022-2023 one myself.

[Anonymous User]

I know of an (off-plan) recent Kobes hire for 2022

[Anonymous User]

I know of an (off-plan) recent Kobes hire for 2022

Is he off plan for 2023-2024 as well?

[Anonymous User]

I know of an (off-plan) recent Kobes hire for 2022

Is he off plan for 2023-2024 as well?

Yes, Kobes is extending invites.

[Anonymous User]

Other than Jane Kelly, who would be the more moderate/liberal of the 8th Circuit judges (active or senior)? Or conversely, who are the more conservative or ideological judges that a moderate/liberal applicant shouldn't bother applying to - I'm assuming Grasz?

[Anonymous User]

Other than Jane Kelly, who would be the more moderate/liberal of the 8th Circuit judges (active or senior)? Or conversely, who are the more conservative or ideological judges that a moderate/liberal applicant shouldn't bother applying to - I'm assuming Grasz?

Loken and Melloy are probably the next most moderate and seem to hire mostly liberals. Colloton and Stras hire some liberal clerks as well, but they’re conservatives hiring counterclerks, not moderate, and Colloton’s a weird guy. Not sure about most of the rest.

[Anonymous User]

Any movement for Erickson?

[Anonymous User]

Not on my end.

[Anonymous User]

Anybody know if Judge Kelly has been interviewing?

[Anonymous User]

2L at WashU with strong grades - anyone have any info on Judge Gruender? What kind of credentials does he look for?

[Anonymous User]

Anybody know if Judge Kelly has been interviewing?

Yes, I know of a hire for 2024-25

[Anonymous User]

2L at WashU with strong grades - anyone have any info on Judge Gruender? What kind of credentials does he look for?

Hires off plan with strong preference for ideology. Can't speak to WashU but seems like 50/50 honors/high honors from Chicago

[Anonymous User]

2L at WashU with strong grades - anyone have any info on Judge Gruender? What kind of credentials does he look for?

Don't intern for him; be in FedSoc.

[Anonymous User]

Other than Jane Kelly, who would be the more moderate/liberal of the 8th Circuit judges (active or senior)? Or conversely, who are the more conservative or ideological judges that a moderate/liberal applicant shouldn't bother applying to - I'm assuming Grasz?

Most of them do not hire ideologically, or at least will hire liberals even if they prefer conservatives. I think Gruender is probably the most ideological with his hiring, but everyone else you should at least get a fair shake. Benton, Colloton, Loken, and Smith all had multiple liberals the year I clerked, for example.

[Anonymous User]

2L at WashU with strong grades - anyone have any info on Judge Gruender? What kind of credentials does he look for?

Hires off plan with strong preference for ideology. Can't speak to WashU but seems like 50/50 honors/high honors from Chicago

FWIW Gruender offered me an interview a few years back and my resume is very non-ideolgical (no Fed Soc or ACS on it) but my writing sample and a google search of me reveals I am very left leaning.

[Anonymous User]

Other than Jane Kelly, who would be the more moderate/liberal of the 8th Circuit judges (active or senior)? Or conversely, who are the more conservative or ideological judges that a moderate/liberal applicant shouldn't bother applying to - I'm assuming Grasz?

Most of them do not hire ideologically, or at least will hire liberals even if they prefer conservatives. I think Gruender is probably the most ideological with his hiring, but everyone else you should at least get a fair shake. Benton, Colloton, Loken, and Smith all had multiple liberals the year I clerked, for example.

For what it’s worth has a friend from law school who clerked for gruender - definitely conservative but no more so than the rest of the 8th. Apparently a really good guy

[Anonymous User]

2L at WashU with strong grades - anyone have any info on Judge Gruender? What kind of credentials does he look for?

Don't intern for him; be in FedSoc.

WashU grad and COA clerk here. Was told he likes conservatives and especially STL locals (think SLUH grads). Correct he doesn't hire former interns. Hires on atypical timeline (1 and 2 years, staggered I think. I could be wrong). Always surprised we haven't sent more clerks to him, so take that as you will.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Judge Bryan? I know he's new, but he's got a 2024 posting up that looks interesting.

Also, how about Lange/Traynor? Anyone have experiences with them, good or bad?