would you do a third clerkship? Forum

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:14 pm

I'm doing a 2/9/DC non-feeder circuit clerkship right now, and will start a district clerkship later this year. Should I do a third clerkship if it would marginally increase my chances at getting a Supreme Court clerkship? I do have a good job lined up that would be easy to defer. My numbers are in the general ballpark of most feeder clerks I know - not Garland/Kavanaugh numbers, but up there.

Sorry this is vague, and I know the answer likely depends on the specifics of my situation, but I don't want to reveal more info. I'm more looking for people to tell me I'd be nuts to do a third clerkship, and other people to tell me I'd be nuts not to maximize my chances at SCOTUS.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:16 pm

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:26 pm

Anonymous User wrote:I'm doing a 2/9/DC non-feeder circuit clerkship right now, and will start a district clerkship later this year. Should I do a third clerkship if it would marginally increase my chances at getting a Supreme Court clerkship? I do have a good job lined up that would be easy to defer. My numbers are in the general ballpark of most feeder clerks I know - not Garland/Kavanaugh numbers, but up there.

This is kind of a strange question. Normally, the risk in your situation is that you'll end up looking like a career clerk, thereby hurting your employment chances at many firms. But you say you've got a good job lined up that would be easy to defer. So if that's the case, why don't you just do whatever you want? You recognize the fact that this third clerkship (even if it's with a feeder) will only marginally increase your chances for a SCOTUS clerkship. If that marginal increase in your chances seems worth the effort, and if you enjoy clerking, go for it. What do you expect any of us to tell you?

ph14 · Post by **ph14** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:26 pm

I've asked some people this and most seemed to agree that a second COA clerkship would have diminishing returns and probably would not be a year as well spent as a new experience, such as getting a year of practice under your belt. Though, I should note, that it's not too uncommon to do a second COA clerkship. Feel free to PM me more details and i'll let you know if my thoughts change.

Nomo · Post by **Nomo** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:28 pm

If you like clerking and you're sure you can defer the start of your job . . . what the hell.

You'll make decent money in that third clerkship. In the scheme of things you're not losing out on much.

bk1 · Post by **bk1** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:35 pm

Some thoughts:

Do you have significant debt and intend to go to a firm after clerking? A third year of clerking is a significant amount of foregone income (100k+ on top of the already 150k+ of foregone income from the first 2 years of clerking).

From what I know, SCOTUS clerkships are often quite dependent upon the professor connections that you have. I would definitely ask your recommenders whether they think you have a realistic shot and whether they think another clerkship will help.

At this point it seems that a regular clerkship wouldn't help your chances all that much, it would have to be a feeder. Considering it's already April, most feeder spots are likely full for 15-16. So you'd be applying for 16-17?

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