Oscar Clerkships + State Clerkships Forum

[Anonymous User]

Sorry, I posted in the wrong section

To save a long story, I am now unfortunately back in the job market as a 3L, top 15%, t-35, LR Board. I didn't apply for Fed clerkships b/c I didn't think I would need to, but now I am on Oscar looking at available positions. My question is does anyone have any idea about how often the judges update the information to indicate whether the position has been filled? I can tell that some haven't been modified in a long while, so I am just curious if those could have been filled. I know this is a speculative question, but maybe someone has already run into this issue.

Also, what is the general feel about the prestige of state courts in the SE? I am planning on applying to appellate and supreme court levels, and I was just wondering how these types of clerkships are viewed by biglaw/ top level midlaw.

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

You should apply to any OSCAR judges you can because you're behind on time. Many judges have already filled their spots. I know many people who got their clerkships right at the beginning of 3L year. I know only a few who got them later in 3L year. So apply, apply to as many judges as you can. Don't worry if your profs haven't finished their LORs yet.

I wouldn't worry so much about the prestige of a state clerkship right now. You need employment.

[Anonymous User]

OP here - I realize that I am behind the ball on Fed Clerkships, and I planned to apply to any and all I can connect with. Thanks for the advice.

Also, I think I might have come off wrong with the "prestige" comment. I guess I am curious about how state courts are viewed after the clerkship. I know the goal right now is employment, but I am also interested in doing transactional (specifically corp tax) work after the clerkship, which is generally limited to bigger/ more respected firms. I just want to put myself in the best position coming out of the clerkship to find work in the field I like.

[lolwat]

Re: prestige, I don't have specifics but I would look at some of the firms and see if they have any clerkship bonuses. I mean, if they say that they give a clerkship bonus to federal clerkships + SSCs, then they probably view them both pretty favorably. If they only give clerkship bonuses for federal clerkships, then they probably don't view state clerkships quite as favorably. And so on. I think in general, the line is drawn at SSCs for big firms, but local goodfirms might still view state appellate clerkships very favorably. Very firm-dependent.