Informing Summer Firm about Clerkship?
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:27 am
When is it appropriate to tell the firm you'll be working for this summer that you've accepted a clerkship commencing right after graduation?
Law School Discussion Forums
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=208012
I'm guessing that this is probably correct. Plus there's really no point springing it on them, as they are going to find out at some point anyways. And a lot of firms look really positively on clerking.bk187 wrote:As I said in another thread, my suspicion is that since they are willing to pay you 50k to do it, I doubt you really need to tiptoe around the issue.
This is true MOST of the time. Most firms will be excited about a summer going for a clerkship. Many firms (I don't even know if it is most) are willing to pay the $50k bonus. You see this mainly in the big five markets (NY, DC, Chicago, LA, SV) and the higher ranked firms. When you get past those markets and firms, bonuses tend to be smaller and firms tend to be more idiosyncratic in their desire for clerks. If you summer at a satellite office in Charlotte or a top firm in Boise, they might not be able to just suck up the deviation from their planned hiring.ph14 wrote:I'm guessing that this is probably correct. Plus there's really no point springing it on them, as they are going to find out at some point anyways. And a lot of firms look really positively on clerking.bk187 wrote:As I said in another thread, my suspicion is that since they are willing to pay you 50k to do it, I doubt you really need to tiptoe around the issue.
ThisAnonymous User wrote:This is true MOST of the time. Most firms will be excited about a summer going for a clerkship. Many firms (I don't even know if it is most) are willing to pay the $50k bonus. You see this mainly in the big five markets (NY, DC, Chicago, LA, SV) and the higher ranked firms. When you get past those markets and firms, bonuses tend to be smaller and firms tend to be more idiosyncratic in their desire for clerks. If you summer at a satellite office in Charlotte or a top firm in Boise, they might not be able to just suck up the deviation from their planned hiring.ph14 wrote:I'm guessing that this is probably correct. Plus there's really no point springing it on them, as they are going to find out at some point anyways. And a lot of firms look really positively on clerking.bk187 wrote:As I said in another thread, my suspicion is that since they are willing to pay you 50k to do it, I doubt you really need to tiptoe around the issue.
My advice is if you have a class of ten or more summers in a big city, don't worry about it. If it's some other situation, maybe do some feeling out first. Look at how many current associates have clerked. Talk to some associates about their perception of clerking. That can give you an idea of when you should bring it up.
I have heard this 50k figure before. This is DC/NYC only right? And does it apply to district clerkships too or only COA?bk187 wrote:As I said in another thread, my suspicion is that since they are willing to pay you 50k to do it, I doubt you really need to tiptoe around the issue.
Yes. This is mainly for the five biggest markets (NYC/DC/Chicago/LA/SV). Even then, not all go for the full $50k. I think some people go in expecting that any Vault 100 or AmLaw 200 firm will give out a $50k bonus regardless of office. That's just not the case. The largest firms in those top five cities will, but outside of that, it varies significantly. If you're in a large secondary market (Boston, Dallas, Miami, Orange County, Atlanta) you will see a wide range going from no bonus to the full $50k. (I should note that I don't know that there's a $50k paying firm in each of those markets, but I do know there are in some of them - I assume it's the same for the others. And really, it's just to highlight the point that the bonus varies significantly.)Anonymous User wrote:I have heard this 50k figure before. This is DC/NYC only right? And does it apply to district clerkships too or only COA?bk187 wrote:As I said in another thread, my suspicion is that since they are willing to pay you 50k to do it, I doubt you really need to tiptoe around the issue.
Curious since other firms that I have interviewed or summered with put the figure more at 10k per year.
I told someone at my firm that I'm doing a COA clerkship after law school. Not only were they happy for me, they told me in so many words that I'm now a lock for an offer at the end.Anonymous User wrote:bump. Any speculation? Any knowledge of "peer" firms?
I think he meant knowledge and speculation as to the amount of a clerkship bonus.Anonymous User wrote:I told someone at my firm that I'm doing a COA clerkship after law school. Not only were they happy for me, they told me in so many words that I'm now a lock for an offer at the end.Anonymous User wrote:bump. Any speculation? Any knowledge of "peer" firms?
Here's the deal. Not all firms are above board about everything they do. (Surprise, surprise.) If they have to no offer someone in a small group, they might do it to the individual with a clerkship, thinking she can land on her feet or that she'll have other options. Is this common? Absolutely not. Can it happen? Yes. What does not telling them get you? It helps you avoid the black mark of a no offer and also gives you more bargaining power since they've already established that they want you.Anonymous Loser wrote:If you've already accepted the clerkship, what possible advantage is there in waiting to inform the firm? If the firm is unwilling to hold open your offer while you pursue the clerkship, you're already fucked.
Is Philly generally closer to Boston and those cities in terms of bonuses?Citizen Genet wrote:Yes. This is mainly for the five biggest markets (NYC/DC/Chicago/LA/SV). Even then, not all go for the full $50k. I think some people go in expecting that any Vault 100 or AmLaw 200 firm will give out a $50k bonus regardless of office. That's just not the case. The largest firms in those top five cities will, but outside of that, it varies significantly. If you're in a large secondary market (Boston, Dallas, Miami, Orange County, Atlanta) you will see a wide range going from no bonus to the full $50k. (I should note that I don't know that there's a $50k paying firm in each of those markets, but I do know there are in some of them - I assume it's the same for the others. And really, it's just to highlight the point that the bonus varies significantly.)Anonymous User wrote:I have heard this 50k figure before. This is DC/NYC only right? And does it apply to district clerkships too or only COA?bk187 wrote:As I said in another thread, my suspicion is that since they are willing to pay you 50k to do it, I doubt you really need to tiptoe around the issue.
Curious since other firms that I have interviewed or summered with put the figure more at 10k per year.
Usually clerkship bonuses apply regardless of District or COA. Bonuses for bankruptcy, state supreme court, and magistrate all occur much less often.
Some firms will only pay for one year. Some pay a smaller bonus for a second year of clerking. Really, it depends.
Key is, don't plan on $50k unless you're going to a market leader in a big market. Outside of that, you'll have to do some groundwork to find out or negotiating after an offer.
I'm not sure you know what a secondary market is, if you think Denver and Minneapolis are tertiary. But that's good to know re: bonus amounts.Anonymous User wrote:Clerking with a USDC as an alum. Going to a firm in my home market post-clerkship. Working for a satellite office of a quasi-national firm (not AmLaw 100, but solidly NLJ 250, with offices all over the country). The market is probably best described as a small secondary or even tertiary one -- think like Seattle or Denver or Minneapolis. They're paying a $10k bonus, with $5k up front and $5k at year-end 2013. They said that it's to cover moving expenses and the fact that I won't be eligible for a merit bonus until year end 2014.
Oh, I just meant that it's not one of the bigger secondary markets (i.e., Boston or Philadelphia or Dallas/Houston or Atlanta) that pays close to NYC/DC/Chicago/California scale. I'm actually coming from one of those big cities pre-clerkship, and I'm probably taking a 30% or so salary hit. Lower cost of living though, and my family is there.I'm not sure you know what a secondary market is, if you think Denver and Minneapolis are tertiary. But that's good to know re: bonus amounts.