How do federal judges in Ohio hire? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey folks - I left my native Cleveland for a big city on one of the coasts about 10 years ago. I'm doing well at a solid regional school (>10%, LR eboard, published), and have an SA lined up. Now, it's time for the clerkship hunt.

I've really been feeling a pull back to Ohio recently. But only a few judges seem to be active on OSCAR, and I can't find anything else that discusses their hiring practices. In particular, the Southern District (I'd LOVE Columbus) seems to be uniformly not providing any information.

Does anyone have any insight on district judges sitting in Ohio? Are they looking for 2015 yet? Am I crazy to think I have a shot?

[Anonymous User]

Clerkship hiring in Ohio--and particularly the Southern District--is tough, simply because the already small number of spots is made worse by Ohio judges' preference for career clerks and multi-year clerks. I can only think of one judge in the Southern District that uses only term clerks, Judge Marbley, but he also hires years in advance and mostly from the pool of students that make up the class he teaches at Harvard every year. Of the other Columbus district judges, Judge Sargas has one career clerk and usually one term clerk, and I recall hearing that Judge Frost had one career clerk and one long-term clerk (three or four year position). I don't know anything about Watson.

It's actually good that you're from Cleveland, assuming you'd be willing to go back there, as that's where most of the judges are in the state (and where more judges seem to regularly take term clerks). As far as I know Judges Oliver, Gwin, Polster, and Boyko take term clerks, and there may be others. Some of the judges in Toledo and Akron hire term clerks as well, as does Judge Pearson in Youngstown.

I don't think you're crazy to think you have a shot based on your qualifications, and being from Ohio should definitely help. There are so few spots, though, and so many applications, that short of knowing someone who knows a judge and will make a call, it's going to be a long shot simply because of the numbers. Do you want to practice in Ohio? That would help you with some judges, although others don't seem to care as much.

[Anonymous User]

Clerkship hiring in Ohio--and particularly the Southern District--is tough, simply because the already small number of spots is made worse by Ohio judges' preference for career clerks and multi-year clerks. I can only think of one judge in the Southern District that uses only term clerks, Judge Marbley, but he also hires years in advance and mostly from the pool of students that make up the class he teaches at Harvard every year. Of the other Columbus district judges, Judge Sargas has one career clerk and usually one term clerk, and I recall hearing that Judge Frost had one career clerk and one long-term clerk (three or four year position). I don't know anything about Watson.

It's actually good that you're from Cleveland, assuming you'd be willing to go back there, as that's where most of the judges are in the state (and where more judges seem to regularly take term clerks). As far as I know Judges Oliver, Gwin, Polster, and Boyko take term clerks, and there may be others. Some of the judges in Toledo and Akron hire term clerks as well, as does Judge Pearson in Youngstown.

I don't think you're crazy to think you have a shot based on your qualifications, and being from Ohio should definitely help. There are so few spots, though, and so many applications, that short of knowing someone who knows a judge and will make a call, it's going to be a long shot simply because of the numbers. Do you want to practice in Ohio? That would help you with some judges, although others don't seem to care as much.

This was really helpful! Thanks a ton.

ETA: I think I'd like to practice in Ohio eventually, and a clerkship stint in the state would either open doors that currently aren't there for me or make the path back easier when I'm ready. I'm also interested in going into government later, and politically I'd rather be in Ohio than in my current state.

[Anonymous User]

Any indication of timeframe or when someone could expect to hear back from Ohio judges for 2015?

Also, any chancing for odds for H/S student, LR, 1L summer judicial intern, from the state, but mediocre grades? TYIA.

[Jchance]

This was really helpful! Thanks a ton.

ETA: I think I'd like to practice in Ohio eventually, and a clerkship stint in the state would either open doors that currently aren't there for me or make the path back easier when I'm ready. I'm also interested in going into government later, and politically I'd rather be in Ohio than in my current state.

Why dont u consider Ohio state courts? U achieve the same goals and they are easier to get.

[Anonymous User]

Clerkship hiring in Ohio--and particularly the Southern District--is tough, simply because the already small number of spots is made worse by Ohio judges' preference for career clerks and multi-year clerks. I can only think of one judge in the Southern District that uses only term clerks, Judge Marbley, but he also hires years in advance and mostly from the pool of students that make up the class he teaches at Harvard every year. Of the other Columbus district judges, Judge Sargas has one career clerk and usually one term clerk, and I recall hearing that Judge Frost had one career clerk and one long-term clerk (three or four year position). I don't know anything about Watson.

It's actually good that you're from Cleveland, assuming you'd be willing to go back there, as that's where most of the judges are in the state (and where more judges seem to regularly take term clerks). As far as I know Judges Oliver, Gwin, Polster, and Boyko take term clerks, and there may be others. Some of the judges in Toledo and Akron hire term clerks as well, as does Judge Pearson in Youngstown.

I don't think you're crazy to think you have a shot based on your qualifications, and being from Ohio should definitely help. There are so few spots, though, and so many applications, that short of knowing someone who knows a judge and will make a call, it's going to be a long shot simply because of the numbers. Do you want to practice in Ohio? That would help you with some judges, although others don't seem to care as much.

This was really helpful! Thanks a ton.

ETA: I think I'd like to practice in Ohio eventually, and a clerkship stint in the state would either open doors that currently aren't there for me or make the path back easier when I'm ready. I'm also interested in going into government later, and politically I'd rather be in Ohio than in my current state.

I interviewed with Judge Carr in Toledo. Didn't get it, but he was super nice and does hire term clerks. Usually runs two, I think, either for one or two years. He seems particularly interested in people who want to live in Ohio long term, so be sure to pitch that. I believe he hires on plan.

He's senior status, so if you're a prestige whore, it might not be for you, but if you're looking for the experience and a foothold, I'd give him a shot.

[Anonymous User]

Any word on Judge Cole's hiring? Is he done for 2015-2016, or do we think he's starting real review later?