I'm going to start applying to firms soon. I could use the writing sample that I used in law school to apply for the clerkship, but I think my writing has greatly improved since law school. So I'd like to use a bench memo.
My judge is ok with it, with the appropriate case and redactions. But what do you guys think about it? Did anyone use a bench memo as a writing sample?
Using bench memos for writing samples Forum
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Anonymous posting is only appropriate when you are sharing sensitive information about clerkship applications and clerkship hiring. You may anonymously respond on topic to these threads. Unacceptable uses include: harassing another user, joking around, testing the feature, or other things that are more appropriate in the lounge.
Failure to follow these rules will get you outed, warned, or banned."
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Anonymous User
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Anonymous User
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Re: Using bench memos for writing samples
From a current clerk --Anonymous User wrote:I'm going to start applying to firms soon. I could use the writing sample that I used in law school to apply for the clerkship, but I think my writing has greatly improved since law school. So I'd like to use a bench memo.
My judge is ok with it, with the appropriate case and redactions. But what do you guys think about it? Did anyone use a bench memo as a writing sample?
If you have redacted and have your judge's permission (AND SAY SO IN YOUR COVER LETTER) I see no harm whatsoever if that is the best piece you have.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Using bench memos for writing samples
What should we redact if the opinion has already been published?
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rpupkin
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Re: Using bench memos for writing samples
Ask your judge. But I think most judges would at least want you to redact the party names even if the opinion was already published.Anonymous User wrote:What should we redact if the opinion has already been published?
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whats an updog
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Re: Using bench memos for writing samples
The judge I interned for said that he would allow me to use published orders as writing samples for clerkship positions, but not for applying to firms. You should definitely just ask your judge or the career clerk because it's likely that every judge will be different and you don't want to use something that they wouldn't approve of.
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