Post-Clerkship Comp Thread (2nd Yr Bonus, Class Credit, etc) Forum

[Anonymous User]

My firm (big and not V20) offered 150k in a secondary market to snag a double clerk with two years of v10 experience.

Fit was great and we needed to fill the spot asap. She did not negotiate and probably would have taken the job with the market paying 70k or whatever we usually give. Strange times I guess--- certainly an outlier, but thought I'd share.

[Anonymous User]

My firm (big and not V20) offered 150k in a secondary market to snag a double clerk with two years of v10 experience.

Fit was great and we needed to fill the spot asap. She did not negotiate and probably would have taken the job with the market paying 70k or whatever we usually give. Strange times I guess--- certainly an outlier, but thought I'd share.

Is this an outlier for your firm? Or, are you saying your firm is an outlier for candidates with two clerkships?

[Anonymous User]

Thinking it's time for a new thread with current information. I'm not really up to the task, but fully support it. I'm about to start my second clerkship (dct to coa) and really curious what the latest intel is on bonuses and class year credit (especially for those who clerked twice). I did a year of biglaw before clerking, and I'm a little worried that firms won't want to bring me in as a soon-to-be 4th year when I start fall 2023.

I’m with you. I am also dct (2 years) to COA (1 year) but I’ll be done in 2024. I’d like to know comp, as well as how many years of credit firms would be willing to give me, since 3 years is less desirable.

Just went through applying as someone with one year big law followed by DCt and COA. All the firms I spoke with (big law, not really the more boutique firms so can’t speak to them) were going to bring me in with my class year, so I didn’t lose any credit.

I have heard of a few (Ropes, White & Case) that make you choose between bigger bonus and one year class credit or smaller bonus and two year credit.

Any clue how much the bigger bonus is?

[Anonymous User]

How long do you have to stay at Kirkland & Ellis to keep the clerkship bonus? Also how much is it? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous User]

I clerked for two years, for two different district judges, and I was offered only one year of class credit and $50,000 as a bonus. Serves me right!

[Anonymous User]

I clerked for two years, for two different district judges, and I was offered only one year of class credit and $50,000 as a bonus. Serves me right!

At K&E? How long do you have to stay at the firm to keep the clerkship bonus? Was also told I would only get 1 year class credit for two year district court clerkship.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know what Williams & Connolly's clerkship bonus is?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know what Williams & Connolly's clerkship bonus is?

I got an offer from them in 2020. $75k for two clerkships. Not sure what the bonus for one clerkship would have been ($50k, if I had to guess) or if anything has changed since.

[Anonymous User]

I think I know the answer to this, but as a current clerk, I can't accept relocation benefits until after my last day clerking, correct? I imagine the move is just to put everything on a credit card and then pay yourself back with the benefits after your clerkship ends.

[Anonymous User]

I think I know the answer to this, but as a current clerk, I can't accept relocation benefits until after my last day clerking, correct? I imagine the move is just to put everything on a credit card and then pay yourself back with the benefits after your clerkship ends.

If I recall, there is something on this specific issue in the code of ethics. But as always, check with your judge who may have a chambers-specific rule.

[Anonymous User]

What’s the current going-rate for a double clerk (D. Ct. + COA)?

[WilliamFaulkner]

What’s the current going-rate for a double clerk (D. Ct. + COA)?

70 - 75K for big law. $120K for fancy sweatshop boutiques.

[Anonymous User]

What’s the current going-rate for a double clerk (D. Ct. + COA)?

70 - 75K for big law. $120K for fancy sweatshop boutiques.

Does biglaw care at all about recruiting clerks? They haven’t raised the bonus in like a decade even though there are many more attractive boutique options now.

[Anonymous User]

What’s the current going-rate for a double clerk (D. Ct. + COA)?

70 - 75K for big law. $120K for fancy sweatshop boutiques.

Does biglaw care at all about recruiting clerks? They haven’t raised the bonus in like a decade even though there are many more attractive boutique options now.

Traditional Biglaw firms don't care about litigation, period. The recent composition of new partnership classes speaks to the dismal future of litigation (and by extension, clerks) within non-boutique firms.

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Is that an increase? I thought it was always that?

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Is that an increase? I thought it was always that?

I think it was $105,000 and $125,000 before.

[Anonymous User]

I think I know the answer to this, but as a current clerk, I can't accept relocation benefits until after my last day clerking, correct? I imagine the move is just to put everything on a credit card and then pay yourself back with the benefits after your clerkship ends.

If I recall, there is something on this specific issue in the code of ethics. But as always, check with your judge who may have a chambers-specific rule.

Relocation benefits are specifically carved out in the ethics manual as ok to accept early, but ask your judge.

[Anonymous User]

I think I know the answer to this, but as a current clerk, I can't accept relocation benefits until after my last day clerking, correct? I imagine the move is just to put everything on a credit card and then pay yourself back with the benefits after your clerkship ends.

If I recall, there is something on this specific issue in the code of ethics. But as always, check with your judge who may have a chambers-specific rule.

Relocation benefits are specifically carved out in the ethics manual as ok to accept early, but ask your judge.

Can you get paid the bar stipend (i.e. the 10k stipend (not advance) given to 3Ls to support themselves while studying for the bar after you complete your clerkship? I know the ethics manual says bar-exam reimbursement and reimbursement for relocation expenses are OK, but I think the stipend is not. I still would like the money after my clerkship though to go towards my loans, especially if everybody in my class not doing a clerkship gets it.

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Where did you get this info? If only they hired TTTtrash like me (but from what I hear, they’re apparently horrible)

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Where did you get this info? If only they hired TTTtrash like me (but from what I hear, they’re apparently horrible)

Can confirm based on a recruitment letter sent to chambers.

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Where did you get this info? If only they hired TTTtrash like me (but from what I hear, they’re apparently horrible)

Can confirm based on a recruitment letter sent to chambers.

Is this for certain offices? Or any associate position with the firm? Including remote positions?

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Where did you get this info? If only they hired TTTtrash like me (but from what I hear, they’re apparently horrible)

Can confirm based on a recruitment letter sent to chambers.

Is this for certain offices? Or any associate position with the firm? Including remote positions?

This is the anon from above. Seems to be a new general policy (i.e. “we offer a bonus of $125k for one federal clerkship and an additional $25k for a second clerkship”).

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Where did you get this info? If only they hired TTTtrash like me (but from what I hear, they’re apparently horrible)

Can confirm based on a recruitment letter sent to chambers.

Is this for certain offices? Or any associate position with the firm? Including remote positions?

This is the anon from above. Seems to be a new general policy (i.e. “we offer a bonus of $125k for one federal clerkship and an additional $25k for a second clerkship”).

Thanks Anon. Well, based on that, I think QE now has the highest clerkship bonus of any firm (excluding supreme court clerk comp. Who knows who has the highest)

[Anonymous User]

Quinn is now offering $125,000 for one clerkship and $150,000 for two.

Where did you get this info? If only they hired TTTtrash like me (but from what I hear, they’re apparently horrible)

Can confirm based on a recruitment letter sent to chambers.

Is this for certain offices? Or any associate position with the firm? Including remote positions?

This is the anon from above. Seems to be a new general policy (i.e. “we offer a bonus of $125k for one federal clerkship and an additional $25k for a second clerkship”).

Thanks Anon. Well, based on that, I think QE now has the highest clerkship bonus of any firm (excluding supreme court clerk comp. Who knows who has the highest)

For all the "normal" biglaw firms, QE definitely has the highest.