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Judges hire so far out these days that I'm finding myself in this situation, so question for clerks or former clerks whose clerkships are/were set to start 1 year or more after the interview: Did you keep in touch with your judge over the year before the clerkship? What was the nature and frequency of the contact?

It feels kind of awkward saying nothing for over a year and then showing up and being like, "Hey, remember me from +1 or +2 years ago? Yea, I'm going to be your right hand man for the next year..."

I didn't really. I got in touch a few months before to get an offer letter (so I had proof of income for renting), coordinate the start date, and get some tips on where to look for housing. But that was pretty much it. However, I also wasn't local - the person clerking for that judge after me did stay in touch, but had been a student in a class the judge taught and was a local student, and was also in the courthouse fairly regularly for their job, so stopped by and went out to lunch with us probably 3-4 times before starting. The person following me in my other clerkship wasn't local, but did come by for coffee once over the holiday break.

I think it's sort of up to you and your comfort level (and your judge's personality). There's nothing wrong with an occasional update (a holiday card would probably be perfectly fine). I don't think it's necessary to do a lot (but that may just be me).

I was also hired a little over 1 year out for both of these - if you're 2 years out maybe a little more contact would be appropriate?

I got my offer about a year before starting. I had never been to the city where it was (Skype interview), so I visited during my 3L spring break in March, about 7 or so months after getting the offer.

Then got in touch with HR around July so I could find an apartment, etc.

I kept in touch somewhat (let him know I wont my school's moot court in a holiday card) (hired 2L summer for immediately after graduation). Good friend had dinner with his judge so the judge could meet his serious girlfriend (hired 2L summer for a year after graduation). Another friend routinely emails their judge (weekly) (hired 2L winter for one year after graduation).

Most of the rest had no contact with their judges. So it really depends.

I know this is not you, but wow, I can't imagine why someone would e-mail every week. That seems way too much.

A. Nony Mouse wrote:I know this is not you, but wow, I can't imagine why someone would e-mail every week. That seems way too much.

The judge is a bit nuts and is very close to his clerks.

Anonymous User wrote:

A. Nony Mouse wrote:I know this is not you, but wow, I can't imagine why someone would e-mail every week. That seems way too much.

The judge is a bit nuts and is very close to his clerks.

Are you sure that your friend isn't the one who "is a bit nuts" here?

rpupkin wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

A. Nony Mouse wrote:I know this is not you, but wow, I can't imagine why someone would e-mail every week. That seems way too much.

The judge is a bit nuts and is very close to his clerks.

Are you sure that your friend isn't the one who "is a bit nuts" here?

Yes, because I've interacted with the judge extensively as well.