Pick a clerkship Forum

[Anonymous User]

Why?

[ClerkAdvisor]

This is a bit silly. First off, outside of specialty courts for specialty practices (e. g., bankruptcy or government contracts), you take an A3 judge over non-A3 judge. Second, it all depends on the judge, more so than the court. I would take a clerkship with Judge Thapar on EDKy over most district judges in the US.

[Jchance]

Ranking purely based on districts: If DNV = Vegas, then thats rank 1. If not, EDKY = DNV = EDWI > DPR >>>SDNY Magistrate.

The correct answer is it depends on who the judge is.

[exitoptions]

I know someone who clerked in DPR, and he said it was fantastic. Didn't do much for his career, but he had an amazing tan.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Yeah of course it's silly. Just want to hear thoughts. Not Thapar.

[middlemarch]

Doesn't this also depend on where you want to practice? Clerk where you want to work. Your connection with the judge and his network of clerk, and your knowledge of the court will be useful.

[Anonymous User]

Ranking purely based on districts: If DNV = Vegas, then thats rank 1. If not, EDKY = DNV = EDWI > DPR >>>SDNY Magistrate.

The correct answer is it depends on who the judge is.

What makes DPR less than all of these other random district courts? Is there something in particular?

[middlemarch]

I'd go with E.D. Wis. first (useful in the Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee markets), then E.D. Ky. (decent plaintiffs venue and Thapar and the judge in Covington are good), then D. Nev., and lastly D.P.R. D.P.R. seems like it'd be a fun time, and you'd practice spanish, but not sure how much complex litigation goes down there.

[Anonymous User]

Ranking purely based on districts: If DNV = Vegas, then thats rank 1. If not, EDKY = DNV = EDWI > DPR >>>SDNY Magistrate.

The correct answer is it depends on who the judge is.

I clerked for a DNV judge in Reno, and it was awesome if you like skiing and the outdoors, and can ignore the meth heads that actually live in Reno. Tahoe is like 35 minutes away and Mount Rose (a solid local ski mountain) is like 30 minutes away from the federal building. One clerk who would ski before work. I'm a big city guy, so I got back to the city as soon as that was over, but it was a fun year.

[Anonymous User]

1L here. This is relevant to my interests. If I want to practice in CA, which would be best?

[Anonymous User]

I find it interesting that nobody voted for SDNY Magistrate. I mean I know the general pecking order, but isn't there something to be said for it being SDNY? I feel like the vibe I've gotten from talking with classmates is that SDNY/EDNY/DDC/CDCA/NDIL have some value.

[Anonymous User]

1L here. This is relevant to my interests. If I want to practice in CA, which would be best?

Where in CA?

CDCA for LA; NDCA for SF. Among the choices here, they're all about equal.

I would read more of these threads and talk with your career counselor if you're serious about wanting to clerk.

[Jchance]

1L here. This is relevant to my interests. If I want to practice in CA, which would be best?

Given the options, I'd say DNV--still in the Ninth Circuit. There are better options like the poster above mentioned.

[mi-chan17]

D.P.R. seems like it'd be a fun time, and you'd practice spanish, but not sure how much complex litigation goes down there.

Fun time aside (and Spanish aside), a solid amount of complex criminal cases go on in DPR (and DVI and, I think, in D. Guam). A lot of RICO prosecution, drug conspiracy cases, and corruption type cases. Additionally, unlike the other U.S. territories, DPR is an actual Art. III court, to the extent some people consider prestige to be based on Art. III/Art. IV/Art. I distinctions. They also do a good amount of civil work in DPR (and DVI/D. Guam), because the number of tourists that go there result in a lot of diversity cases. That said, it's not the best if you're looking for stuff like 10b5 securities cases or something.

I'd probably take DPR over D.Ky., all things considered. Though, obviously, that's not considering specific, individual judges, and has a lot to do with my criminal law bent.