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Absolutely. You should totally do that - in fact, I'd lead with it in the first paragraph ("I am a 2L at School X applying for a clerkship in your chambers for the 2015-16 term. Your Formerclerk, whom I worked with at firm X this summer, suggested that I apply" or the like).

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A. Nony Mouse wrote:Absolutely. You should totally do that - in fact, I'd lead with it in the first paragraph ("I am a 2L at School X applying for a clerkship in your chambers for the 2015-16 term. Your Formerclerk, whom I worked with at firm X this summer, suggested that I apply" or the like).

I lead all my cover letters by saying noted TLS poster A. Nony Mouse recommended that I apply. Worked really well for me.

Anonymous User wrote:Thank you! However, my connection is no longer alive but was very influential in the district - is it still appropriate to lead with their name?

Is a dead connection a real thing? Seems like death is the ultimate un-connection. (I'm not being an asshole.)

ph14 wrote:

A. Nony Mouse wrote:Absolutely. You should totally do that - in fact, I'd lead with it in the first paragraph ("I am a 2L at School X applying for a clerkship in your chambers for the 2015-16 term. Your Formerclerk, whom I worked with at firm X this summer, suggested that I apply" or the like).

I lead all my cover letters by saying noted TLS poster A. Nony Mouse recommended that I apply. Worked really well for me.

Yes, this is absolutely the credited strategy.

As for the dead part... it depends on how you knew this person and when they died? I mean, if they died within the last year and you worked with them somehow, I think you could still say something like "I'm particularly interested in a clerkship in your chambers because when I worked with Dead Guy, he spoke so highly of clerking for you" or something perhaps a bit less kiss-ass. But yeah, if the judge can't actually talk to the connection any more, it's less helpful.

i would only do this if the guy's dying wish was for you to clerk