Alum Clerking Timeline Forum

[newlawgrad]

I've run some searches and can't seem to find a general consensus here. I'm an alum who just started applying (was aiming for 2016 but have been applying to 2015 if they are in a district or circuit im interested) and they seem to be popping up at random. I know the plan is dead, etc. but is there any time that I should be expecting 1) 2016 clerkships to really proliferate on Oscar; and 2) if there is any general timeline for interviews/decisions/etc.

Understand that the answer might just be "it depends" and there are far too many dates to give any sort of answer here. Still, was wondering for my own planning (or psyche).

Thanks.

[tww909]

what courts are you looking at? the timelines vary considerably by location/level, etc.

in any event i don't think you should expect much from oscar. tons of hiring (particularly on the high end) is happening without any oscar posting or from paper apps submitted prior to any oscar posting.

[Shaggier1]

in any event i don't think you should expect much from oscar. tons of hiring (particularly on the high end) is happening without any oscar posting or from paper apps submitted prior to any oscar posting.

This. If there is a judge you are interested in, just send a paper app. And have a professor follow up with a call if the judge is one of your top choices.

Just don't wait on OSCAR.

[newlawgrad]

Thanks for the responses - but, wow - haven't heard this at all and have had numerous conversations with clerkship advisors as my alma mater. Does timing or anything matter here? What I mean is, should I just send an application the chambers saying "I am looking for a clerkship in your chambers for the 2015 or 2016 term" - regardless of whether or not there is any knowledge of availability (I have a pretty serious lack of knowledge on these things but extrerned for a judge who hadn't hired a clerk in 15 years, for example). Also having all of my LORs come by separate cover seems annoying.

I should also say, I don't really have any "top judges" or choices. I'd like to be in certain locations (currently biglaw in chicago, so easiest to stay) - would like to be I'm a desirable location like LA, San Fran, Boston, New Orleans, Nashville, etc but not really worried about prestige or certain judges per se. Is this an issue or abnormal?

Anyways - glad I asked and thanks for the heads up.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Yeah, just say you're interested in 2015 or 2016, you don't need to have knowledge of a specific opening. As for LORs, having them arrive under separate cover is common. But you can also have letter writers send them to you (sealed, obv) and you can send them with your paper application.

[newlawgrad]

It looks like some districts (ex. NDIL) have pages on their site which lists if they are accepting applications and by what method. Some of them explicitly say they are not accepting but its clear that some are extremely out of date. Any take on this as well?