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I know that this is going to sound like a horribly neurotic and insecure question. I got the clerkship offer by phone recently. Of course, I am thrilled. I was a very long shot to even get an interview (I only got this one). I am in a total state of bliss after having been in the vale, and have been telling people close to me for the past couple days.

I was about to withdraw from another job that I gave a really good interview at recently that should be making decisions now/soon, and that I would have been very happy to take...and then a shadow of doubt came through my mind. What if it was a mistake? What if the judge rescinds the offer like next week? What if he was drunk when he gave it to me? Should I wait to withdraw/not withdraw?

I know that this sounds stupid, but has this ever happened? You get a call with a federal clerkship offer, then it gets taken away like a week or two later? I have heard that this happens very rarely with SA offers at firms, but has it ever happened in the clerkship context?

Any reassurance that I HAVE the job PURELY as a result of this phone call that you all might be willing to give me, needless as it may seem, would be much appreciated. I know that this idiotic second-guessing of myself is characteristic of an individual in the vale and now that I am OUT of the vale, I should stop doing this...but, on the other hand, am I really, truly out of the vale prior to day 1 of work?

do not rescind anything. just wait. sign the dotted line and then rescind. you always need a back up plan incase things fall through (which they 99% won't) but CYA is the best policy.

you are good. i know it feels weird for the long employment journey to end - that having a job in this field that has provided nothing but ache is too good to be true - but you are fine. Congrats. Your offer is safe.

You're fine. That's how it works. S/he won't rescind the offer. You won't get a dotted line to sign because judges generally don't do any paperwork until a few weeks before you're going to begin, but if you really want something in writing, ask for an offer letter for proof of income for apartment hunting.

A. Nony Mouse wrote:You're fine. That's how it works. S/he won't rescind the offer. You won't get a dotted line to sign because judges generally don't do any paperwork until a few weeks before you're going to begin, but if you really want something in writing, ask for an offer letter for proof of income for apartment hunting.

That's smart, Mouse. You are always so wise.

A. Nony Mouse wrote:You're fine. That's how it works. S/he won't rescind the offer. You won't get a dotted line to sign because judges generally don't do any paperwork until a few weeks before you're going to begin, but if you really want something in writing, ask for an offer letter for proof of income for apartment hunting.

This.

I'm like you OP. I didn't believe it was real and was paranoid about the offer being rescinded for no good reason. I had to move cross country, so I asked to get put in touch with HR for HR/apartment/financial reasons. It's totally reasonable and HR was more than happy to help. I got a confirmation letter within hours.

But, again, your offer won't be rescinded.

It's a bit strange that you don't get anything in writing, but that just sort of seems to be the convention. I agree that it almost doesn't seem real until you get some sort of written confirmation or fill our employment paperwork. But you got the job, don't worry.

took everybody's advice. pulled out of the other job. i was told that i was literally about to be given the offer, but of course he understands the fed d court clerkship thing.

fingers crossed that i don't get called by the judge tomorrow with a rescind of offer haha

Perhaps I'm missing something, but did you indicate your acceptance of the clerkship offer during the phone call? If so, you're G2G. Judges aren't in the business of breaching oral contracts.

If, however, you have not yet indicated your acceptance of the offer to the judge, you are not out of the woods.