1st and only fed d court clerkship interview. seeking tips Forum

[objctnyrhnr]

hey guys

I have interviewed and not attained several SSC clerkships in the past (in one case, I must have barely not gotten it because even the judge told me it was a great interview and I would make a great clerk). TBH, I think I am far more qualified for a SSC clerkship than a Fed D. Court clerkship because appellate issues, standards of review, complex decisions, careful analysis, long time allotted for projects all seem to make more sense to me than what I understand of the relatively faster pace of district court. But alas, here I am with a fed d court clerkship interview. I was shocked to have gotten this one, and I feel that there is unlikely to be another one.

I have done a few judicial internships, two of which were state appellate. There, I did half civil work and half criminal work. However, other than that handful of civil decisions, my other internship work has been exclusively criminal. I sucked at civ pro and probably forget all of it by now. I am sure that relative to many of you, my conceptions of pleadings, summary judgment, etc. are very very weak. My aspirations are and have always been purely criminal. On the bright side, in the criminal domain, I do have a ton of good, high-level research and writing experience. I have also been published a few times and won a writing competition (probably helped me to get the interview). That being said, the law review article format differs a ton from what I would imagine a clerk does.

Any general interview tips, or more specific tips about how to prevent my candidacy from suffering because of my lack of civil experience would be great. The way I see it, he saw my resume, he knows I am a criminal guy, and he still decided to interview me...right? How do you guys prep for these interviews? Is there a TLS list of tips for fed d court clerkship interviews somewhere?

Thank you all in advance. The combined minds/opinions of TLS posters have been huge for tough decisions I've had to make in the past, and I am hoping that I get some good stuff this time as well.

[Arbiter213]

Most of these interviews are far more about fit than about qualifications. Behave accordingly.

[objctnyrhnr]

Most of these interviews are far more about fit than about qualifications. Behave accordingly.

Can you elaborate?

[Arbiter213]

Most of these interviews are far more about fit than about qualifications. Behave accordingly.

Can you elaborate?

Don't get all caught up on thinking you're not qualified. They wouldn't bother taking your time or theirs meeting you if not. Try to let let the judge get to know you and connect with them.

And don't take it personally if you don't get hired. Even though it is personal. Which sucks.

[Elston Gunn]

I agree with Arbiter. Don't worry about your qualifications, especially about basically minor distinctions about appellate vs. trial work while you're in school. Remember the judge has to spend all day, every day with just a small support staff and his clerks. He wants them to be reliable and smart, but the vast majority of applicants are reliable and smart, and certainly the people he picks for the interview are. What's really going to differentiate you at this stage is making a connection with the judge; convincing him that he wants to spend a whole year working very, very closely with you.

[objctnyrhnr]

how grueling are the questions usually? i've had interviews with hypos, interviews where we go into a complex legal issue (usually one i've worked on) and the interviewer pushes back hard on the other side, and very laid back interviews. what should I be expecting from this one?

[Arbiter213]

how grueling are the questions usually? i've had interviews with hypos, interviews where we go into a complex legal issue (usually one i've worked on) and the interviewer pushes back hard on the other side, and very laid back interviews. what should I be expecting from this one?

There is no "usually" with judges. You could get anything.

[objctnyrhnr]

hmm okay. how do you recommend prepping?

[exitoptions]

hmm okay. how do you recommend prepping?

Read a bunch of the judge's recent opinions, this helps both learn their style and know what has been going on in chambers lately. This will also help when you interview with the clerks (which a lot of judges have you do). Also make sure you know their biography inside and out, it gives you things to talk about if conversation slows.

[Tangerine Gleam]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

[BVest]

Definitely know something about your judge's civil/criminal case mix. At the very least there should be a link to district stats on the district's website and that should break things out by division, if not by court. If you can't find that, you can at least view a breakdown of filings by district at http://www.uscourts.gov/Statistics/Fede ... -2013.aspx

[nog]

Try looking up your judge on the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary on Westlaw. It has some useful information on litigants' general impressions of the judge, plus some notable decisions and miscellany. Might be good for thinking about potential questions or conversation topics.

[objctnyrhnr]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

[Arbiter213]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

Then they're a new appointee, there's no info out there about their hiring practices (obviously), and no one here can help you.

[objctnyrhnr]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

Then they're a new appointee, there's no info out there about their hiring practices (obviously), and no one here can help you.

I mean I never set out to get information about my specific judge (after all, how could I?). I was just wondering what people's general experiences were, and general advice about interviewing for these.

[BVest]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

Look up their Senate questionnaire: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/file-library

[ETA: It will not tell you what to expect in the interview, but it is a very interesting source of information.]

[OutCold]

Overthinking this. Be friendly, know your resume outside and in, and be able to articulate why you want to clerk and what your career goals are. Your credentials are such that you already got the interview, now the judge wants to see if you are someone he or she wants to spend a great deal of time with for a year.

[objctnyrhnr]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

Look up their Senate questionnaire: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/file-library

[ETA: It will not tell you what to expect in the interview, but it is a very interesting source of information.]

this is great. thanks.

[Lexaholik]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

Look up their Senate questionnaire: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/file-library

[ETA: It will not tell you what to expect in the interview, but it is a very interesting source of information.]

I clerked for a new judge and interviewed candidates. Don't over think this-you made it to the interview round so really pay attention to the following 3 things: 1. don't be a jerk; 2. do appear competent; 3. be enthusiastic. And remember, appearing competent doesn't mean having all the answers necessarily. Just be prepared for the interview generally (know why you want to clerk, why that specific court, etc) and you're 90% there. For the remaining 10% you can read the judge's senate docs, old opinions, etc. But most candidates mess up the basic stuff.

[objctnyrhnr]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

Look up their Senate questionnaire: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/file-library

[ETA: It will not tell you what to expect in the interview, but it is a very interesting source of information.]

I clerked for a new judge and interviewed candidates. Don't over think this-you made it to the interview round so really pay attention to the following 3 things: 1. don't be a jerk; 2. do appear competent; 3. be enthusiastic. And remember, appearing competent doesn't mean having all the answers necessarily. Just be prepared for the interview generally (know why you want to clerk, why that specific court, etc) and you're 90% there. For the remaining 10% you can read the judge's senate docs, old opinions, etc. But most candidates mess up the basic stuff.

okay great thanks.

[Anonymous User]

I agree with Arbiter. Don't worry about your qualifications, especially about basically minor distinctions about appellate vs. trial work while you're in school. Remember the judge has to spend all day, every day with just a small support staff and his clerks. He wants them to be reliable and smart, but the vast majority of applicants are reliable and smart, and certainly the people he picks for the interview are. What's really going to differentiate you at this stage is making a connection with the judge; convincing him that he wants to spend a whole year working very, very closely with you.

This.

I'm on my second clerkship and both judges, as well as their clerks, have told me how important fit is to them. Just about anyone can do most of the work (their quality and efficacy can vary a lot), but not everyone can be someone you want to work with. I would absolutely dread working with a handful of people from my class who I know were in the tippy top of the class.

I helped hire my replacement at my last clerkship, and it was unbelievable how quickly you could tell someone would not fit. Our #1 guy based on applications ended up being so unbearably awkward from the get-go that within 5 minutes we voted no (it was on the phone).

Conversely, the woman the judge ended up hiring clicked from the get-go. She had the exact personality we all wanted (calm, nice, funny) and conveyed it very quickly. I was told by my current judge that one of the things he liked most about my application was how my recommenders all commented on how I get along with everyone and that I'm easygoing but hardworking. So, I would try to convey that if possible.

[Anonymous User]

Do you know if this judge's clerks work on criminal matters? They may not. Even if they do, they likely do much more civil stuff. I think it's good that you express and interest in criminal law, but make it clear that you're interested in civil stuff, too.

Can you get in touch with former clerks? This is one of the best ways to learn what to expect from an interview.

mmmm...what if the judge is [very] new?

Look up their Senate questionnaire: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/file-library

[ETA: It will not tell you what to expect in the interview, but it is a very interesting source of information.]

This is terrific advice - helped me in my own interview, gives you a sense of their personality.