Help me get a fed clerkship! Forum

[MoonDreamer]

I am interested in getting a fed clerkship. I am now a second year associate at a reputable firm in the northeast and want the federal clerkship badge of honor to propel my career forward. One problem I have is poor law school grades. While I made it where I am with them, they seem to be posing problems for future opportunities.

While this is insignificant, I did a fed court internship in law school.

Advice?

[hiima3L]

Get strong recs and people who will call judges on your behalf.

Apply everywhere you can.

That's all you can do. It's a crapshoot.

[MoonDreamer]

Get strong recs and people who will call judges on your behalf.

Apply everywhere you can.

That's all you can do. It's a crapshoot.

Is is worth it to go outside my market's circuit for a fed clerkship?

[Anonymous User]

Get strong recs and people who will call judges on your behalf.

Apply everywhere you can.

That's all you can do. It's a crapshoot.

Is is worth it to go outside my market's circuit for a fed clerkship?

Yes

[MoonDreamer]

Get strong recs and people who will call judges on your behalf.

Apply everywhere you can.

That's all you can do. It's a crapshoot.

Is is worth it to go outside my market's circuit for a fed clerkship?

Yes

Okay say somehow I land a fed clerkship. Will it matter at all seeing as how I have terrible grades at a tier 3. Shouldnt I just hold onto my job?

[GertrudePerkins]

Get strong recs and people who will call judges on your behalf.

Apply everywhere you can.

That's all you can do. It's a crapshoot.

Is is worth it to go outside my market's circuit for a fed clerkship?

Yes

Okay say somehow I land a fed clerkship. Will it matter at all seeing as how I have terrible grades at a tier 3. Shouldnt I just hold onto my job?

I'm pretty fuzzy on what your overall MO is, OP. Do you dislike your current job and you're actively trying to leave? Are you just trying to shore up your credentials as a matter of professional insurance, so to speak? Do you actively think clerking would be a fun job?

As for looking outside your market's circuit, the answer is a resounding yes, because you're probably in a very competitive area (geographically) for clerkships and you don't sound like you're a very competitive candidate. These days people thank their lucky stars to secure a district court clerkship in [pick the most backwoods place you can think of].