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Had an interview recently that went super well. I walked out of there feeling really confident and positive and would love to work there as (1) I want to establish my career here, (2) I wouldn't have to move from my current apartment (amazing deal in a great neighborhood), (3) it's part of a major metropolitan area which hopefully means it will be easier for the post-clerkship job hunt, and (4) everyone in chambers seemed fun and happy.

Based on previous experiences with clerkship interviews, a lot of judges take a while to decide. I have another interview in a week for a clerkship in another market that would require me to move and would only focus on one specific area of law (something I don't have a background in and am not sure if I'd like it). Would definitely still accept if I didn't have other offers, though, as I have nothing else to fall back on like a firm job, etc.

Putting the cart before the horse here but would like advice in advance just in case: I know you are basically required to accept a clerkship if offered, so how do I go about politely and professionally requesting an update from the first judge in hopes of maybe securing an offer before an offer from the second judge? Some posters say to just send a thank you card and wait. Is that really the only option?

Anonymous User wrote:Had an interview recently that went super well. I walked out of there feeling really confident and positive and would love to work there as (1) I want to establish my career here, (2) I wouldn't have to move from my current apartment (amazing deal in a great neighborhood), (3) it's part of a major metropolitan area which hopefully means it will be easier for the post-clerkship job hunt, and (4) everyone in chambers seemed fun and happy.

Based on previous experiences with clerkship interviews, a lot of judges take a while to decide. I have another interview in a week for a clerkship in another market that would require me to move and would only focus on one specific area of law (something I don't have a background in and am not sure if I'd like it). Would definitely still accept if I didn't have other offers, though, as I have nothing else to fall back on like a firm job, etc.

Putting the cart before the horse here but would like advice in advance just in case: I know you are basically required to accept a clerkship if offered, so how do I go about politely and professionally requesting an update from the first judge in hopes of maybe securing an offer before an offer from the second judge? Some posters say to just send a thank you card and wait. Is that really the only option?

If you hit it off with the judge's law clerks, you can call one of them and ask when the judge plans to make the decision and tell them that you have an interivew pending with another judge that you would cancel if you got an offer from their judge. But I can't say for sure because it will depend on the judge and law clerk. When I was interviewing law clerks, I told them they could contact me with any questions. If one of the interviewees called with your situation and I knew it was one of the judge's top choices, I would have told him of the situation.

When I was in your same basic situation I emailed chambers to let them know I was going to be out of town for another interview and they should contact me on my cell if needed during that time. Not sure what I'd do if my cell is what they had already.