8th Circuit: 2015-2016 Cycle Forum

[kykiske]

What's the current landscape of interviews and offers for those applying to judges in the 8th Circuit?

[Anonymous User]

What's the current landscape of interviews and offers for those applying to judges in the 8th Circuit?

Murphy is filled for 2015
Bright wants at least 1 year clerking experience or auto-reject

[kykiske]

Anything from district court judges?

[city123]

Anyone know anything about Judge Wollman's hiring timeline?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any info on Loken? Thanks.

[city123]

Oscar indicates that Loken won't be considering apps for 2015 until April.

[Anonymous User]

Colloton has hired one from my school.

[Anonymous User]

any word on Loken?

[station4]

Oscar indicates that Loken won't be considering apps for 2015 until April.

any word on Loken?

Loken is listed as full for 2015 on OSCAR as of yesterday.

Here are his OSCAR profile entries:

1. Additional Chambers Information
(Updated Dec 12, 2013):

I do not anticipate considering applications for the 2015-2016 Term of Court before April 1, 2014.

2. Hiring Practices
(Updated Mar 18, 2014):

I do not anticipate considering applications for the 2015-2016 Term of Court before February 1, 2014.

3. Listed his 2015 position on OSCAR as filled as of yesterday.

This is not to single out Judge Loken, but it just goes to show, get those apps in way before whatever "deadline" you have seen advertised. I would imagine these judges fully intend to adhere to these posted dates, but the death of the plan had led to generalized law clerk hiring craziness that were unable to anticipate.

[kykiske]

It's very frustrating.

I applied months ago to federal district judges in the 8th Circuit. Nothing but radio silence.

I don't know if that's a sign that I've been rejected, or they just haven't started to review applications yet.

[Anonymous User]

I applied to federal district judges in MN about a month ago and have also heard nothing. I think I'm a fairly strong candidate (T3 law school, slightly above median grades, strong ties to MN). So, while its definitely possible that I've struck out, I'm still hopeful that district court in MN is just running a little behind appellate courts and districts known for selectivity. I didn't apply to anything other than MN federal district so I don't yet have a history of clerkship rejections to temper my optimism.

[Anonymous User]

I applied to federal district judges in MN about a month ago and have also heard nothing. I think I'm a fairly strong candidate (T3 law school, slightly above median grades, strong ties to MN). So, while its definitely possible that I've struck out, I'm still hopeful that district court in MN is just running a little behind appellate courts and districts known for selectivity. I didn't apply to anything other than MN federal district so I don't yet have a history of clerkship rejections to temper my optimism.

Based on my experience from last cycle, most d.ct. judges probably haven't moved yet.

Also, by "T3" you mean HYS or "TTT"???

[Anonymous User]

HYS

Also, got my first rejection today. It says Judge Davis is not hiring for a clerkship starting in 2015.

[Anonymous User]

HYS

In that case, I am betting you have a great shot at MN d.ct. judges. Although it is my impression that there are a handful of judges in the midwest who are very committed to hiring clerks from local law schools, even if they are TT/TTT/unranked schools.

[Anonymous User]

HYS

In that case, I am betting you have a great shot at MN d.ct. judges. Although it is my impression that there are a handful of judges in the midwest who are very committed to hiring clerks from local law schools, even if they are TT/TTT/unranked schools.

Tunheim has hired at least one for 2015-16 from my HYS school

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know how selective the circuit judges in ND and SD are? I'm MPV with median (maybe even slightly below median) grades, but I lived most of life in the Dakotas (family still lives in ND). Probably a long shot with my grades, but I was hoping ties would count for something--especially in flyover country.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know how selective the circuit judges in ND and SD are? I'm MPV with median (maybe even slightly below median) grades, but I lived most of life in the Dakotas (family still lives in ND). Probably a long shot with my grades, but I was hoping ties would count for something--especially in flyover country.

You are literally talking about two judges. A population of two judges constitutes a total crap shoot. I know Wollman has hired from USD, which is an unranked school. And I know that Bye (in ND) stated on OSCAR last year that he likes clerks with prior clerkship experience. Ties are almost certainly a huge factor to these judges (I am from flyover country as well, and I got my fed interviews, I believe, in large part because of my connections). So just apply and treat it like a role of the dice. Being from the area + school name might make you competitive. But it is tough to know. Like everything else in the clerkship world.

[station4]

Judge Benton done for 2015-16 per an email from his chambers.