District Court Clerkship Chances Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm top 20% at a top 4 law school as a 2L, elected to Executive position on a secondary journal, and am getting my Note published.

Ideal district judges: midwest and southeast.

Have 2 great recommendations lined up, and 1 decent one.

Any thoughts? Worth papering those regions now, or should I wait until post-graduation? I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but would I have any shot at less competitive CoAs?

Thanks in advance for responses!

[A. Nony Mouse]

(moved to the proper forum)

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't apply for clerkships now, but you probably want to start doing that ASAP - many people have been applying as soon as they get 2L first semester grades. I think you'd have a good shot at a D Ct somewhere - I can't comment on COA, though, I don't know enough about the standards.

[rpupkin]

I'm top 20% at a top 4 law school as a 2L, elected to Executive position on a secondary journal, and am getting my Note published.

Ideal district judges: midwest and southeast.

Have 2 great recommendations lined up, and 1 decent one.

Any thoughts? Worth papering those regions now, or should I wait until post-graduation? I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but would I have any shot at less competitive CoAs?

Thanks in advance for responses!

Start applying now. Assuming that you go to Chicago or Columbia ("top 4 law school"?), your qualifications aren't particularly distinctive; there are literally hundreds of students in T14 law schools with similar credentials. But you definitely have a shot if you apply early and often. Oh, and if you have a strong tie to either the midwest or the southeast (i.e., you grew up in one of those regions and hope to return there to practice), definitely mention that in your cover letter.