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I got clerkship paperwork from my judge, and one of the clerkship stipulations was that I can't have any "outstanding offers" from a law firm. I do have an outstanding offer to re-join my SA law firm after my clerkship.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I mean, I've already accepted the clerkship offer, so there's not much I can do. I'm V20 competitive, but I really do like my firm and would rather not have to look for another job after my clerkship.

Thanks.

Nope. No experience in this.

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Most firms have a policy towards this. Some firms will "close" the offer with the understanding that a re-offer will be a formality upon the end of your clerkship, others will have you reapply anew at the end. I'd ask the firm as well as clarifying with the judge your situation.

Thanks all. I chatted with someone at my firm and he told me that many clerks at the firm just maintain the offers they get at the end of the summer. However, it seems that I have to submit a formal resignation letter. The firm will apparently tacitly agree to let me return, but nothing will be in writing.

I am incredibly uncomfortable with this. Ugh.

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JusticeJackson wrote:Chill man. Youre fine. This is how this works out for every person that clerks with a judge that requires clerks to turn down offers. The firm understands. The judge understands. You're good.

Echoed. Also, the clerk that I worked with when I was an intern had a "closed" offer from his firm, but he said he could basically go back if he wanted after he was done.

P.S. You may have meant "forgoing." =)

This is such a well established practice that you really should have no worries -- with one caveat. It depends on your firm. The big V20 New York firms do this with such regularity that you should feel no worries. But is the firm you want to return to in a more regional market, with less formal practices? The single best thing to do in this situation would be to reach out to former law clerks currently at the firm and ask them what they did.

Anonymous User wrote:This is such a well established practice that you really should have no worries -- with one caveat. It depends on your firm. The big V20 New York firms do this with such regularity that you should feel no worries. But is the firm you want to return to in a more regional market, with less formal practices? The single best thing to do in this situation would be to reach out to former law clerks currently at the firm and ask them what they did.

Thanks for pointing out the blatant spelling error; finals has fried my brain.

Yeah, the firm headquarters and my office are in very large markets. I'll def. reach out and ask around.