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Can a good answer to this question incorporate the judge's previous life . . . .

For example: "You were a public interest lawyer in your earlier life, and that's ultimately what I want to do post-clerkship, so I'm interested in clerking for you."

"Also, you were involved in state and local issues while working in private practice, and that's something I value, as well."

"Because you're Scalia" worked for someone I know

Talk to a former clerk if you can. That'll give you some specifics to discuss and some credibility in answering this question.

ph14 wrote:Talk to a former clerk if you can. That'll give you some specifics to discuss and some credibility in answering this question.

Good advice. But what if the judge was confirmed in 2013? No former clerks to talk to.

Find his biography and some presentations or articles he has written. Say you like that stuff.

slayerhn wrote:Find his biography and some presentations or articles he has written. Say you like that stuff.

Even if it's political? Like something he wrote for Fed Soc or ACS?

Moved to appropriate forum.

Anonymous User wrote:

ph14 wrote:Talk to a former clerk if you can. That'll give you some specifics to discuss and some credibility in answering this question.

Good advice. But what if the judge was confirmed in 2013? No former clerks to talk to.

Search them here. http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/judicial Then read through their questionnaire.

Anonymous User wrote:

ph14 wrote:Talk to a former clerk if you can. That'll give you some specifics to discuss and some credibility in answering this question.

Good advice. But what if the judge was confirmed in 2013? No former clerks to talk to.

I had a similar situation (recently confirmed). My judge was an accomplished trial attorney before joining the bench, and I truthfully told her/him that I was interested in trial work and thought her/his insight would make the clerkship particularly valuable.

Find some common ground with what the judge has done professionally and discuss that topic. It is especially worthwhile if you can show how that topic relates to what you want to do with your career (i.e., it's more than an academic interest and is not an obviously feigned interest you made up for the interview).

This may or may not apply, but I said "Because you're an Article III judge" to the question of "Why do you want to clerk here?" The judge laughed and said he appreciated my honesty.

Every judge knows clerking is insanely coveted. They understand why they get hundreds of applications for one position. You don't need to bullshit it. Also, I've never heard of a judge saying "Why do you want to clerk for ME?" They generally want to know about why you want to clerk at that court.

I interviewed in a number of circuits and for each one my answer was something about how varied the work was in X circuit, even though that wasn't necessarily true. This seemed to work fine and the judge/clerks moved quickly on to the next question. And I should note this was my answer even for those that asked me why I wanted to work specifically for a particular judge--I would sort of shy away by answering about the court generally and no one ever pressed me on it.