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Hey All,

I am a 2L, Top 5%ish at a T11 (gotta be true to the new rankings). Looking to clerk COA 2016 being that the 2015 ship seems to have mostly sailed. I'll be summering at a big lit firm this summer and was wondering how appropriate it was to do the following: A. Express to them that you want to clerk in 2016 (so, about 12 months after you enter the firm post-grad) and B. Seek out former clerks of COA judges to help get your app in front of their old judge.

Would a big lit firm, with the understanding that you want to be a lit associate, be turned off by the fact that you want to clerk in what would be your second year? Would they be neutral about it? Would they view it favorably ? Any advice would be appreciated since I'd love to use the firm to help me in my pursuit, but I'm uncertain about how they generally approach associates who leave after a year or two for a clerkship

I have no idea how to approach your employer at all, but I wouldn't assume the 2015 ship has sailed - at least if you aren't targeting 2/9/DC, etc.. You are going to have to scramble to get your stuff together if you have no already done so, but with your credentials, you are going to be a real solid candidate just about anywhere (obviously). I am holding a 2015 clerkship and my judge hired half of his clerks early (in the past couple weeks) and is planning on hiring the rest later to allow people who are a little closer to the old plan schedule (which he adhered to) to have a shot. A couple judges in the 7th (Flaum, Kanne, Hamilton off the top of my head) are waiting until April/May it seems to hire. Anyway, to the extent you want to take a flier at 2015, I'd give it a go.