How to gun for a Fed Clerkship when grades aren't up to snuf Forum

TFALAWL · Post by **TFALAWL** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 7:49 pm

Now that 2L SA is done, it's time for that next step. I have a 3.42 at MVP. I want a district clerkship - any region will do. The odds are against me ... what can I do to maximize my chances?

1. improve third semester grades
2. continue relationships with profs
3. ??????

BVest · Post by **BVest** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 7:59 pm

TFALAWL wrote:Now that 2L SA is done, it's time for that next step. I have a 3.42 at MVP. I want a district clerkship - any region will do. The odds are against me ... what can I do to maximize my chances?

1. improve third semester grades
2. continue relationships with profs
3. ??????

Do you mean 1L SA and/or 2L OCI? I'm confused by the disconnect between "2L SA is done" and "improve third semester grades."

Start Applying, or at least get your application all lined up (including your LORs). The "plan" (for universal start date on applications during summer between 2L and 3L) is gone. There has been very rapid application creep with even many less competitive districts.

TFALAWL · Post by **TFALAWL** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:04 pm

My bad. Just accepted 2L SA, c/o 2016 (2L)

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:48 am

Network with judges and former clerks of the judges you are interested in, research and find out judges who are not grade heavy (for example, those judges that emphasize on legal writing grades, volunteer, extracurricular activities), find someone who has connections and is familiar with your work product to vouch for you (i.e. your professor with connections to specific judges, former/current boss), apply to less geographically popular places (i.e. fly over states), and kick ass your 3L year. If you are really interested in clerking, you can also try fed magistrate judges and state judges as they are more forgiving on grades and work your way up to Article III judges if that is your ultimate goal. That is all I can think of from the top of my head. Good luck!

BVest · Post by **BVest** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:56 am

Also, if your school has a list of alumni judges and alumni former clerks (which they should), this will give you insight into the judges who prefer to hire your school. Some judges hire exclusively from their school and some highly favor their school. The result is that students from your school who might not be as competitive a candidate with the average judge are more competitive there.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:09 pm

Relevant, outstanding recommendations can go a long way with certain judges. I am a case in point. Median from a T40-50 and got a D. Ct. clerkship due to my recommendations from 3 judges I interned for and a staff attorney at the state's supreme court who was my prof. All of them said I am a very good writer blah blah blah.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:21 pm

Do you have ties to any non-major districts? I would focus on (1) improving gpa as much as you can; (2) building a connection with a professor (be an RA, do a paper) to really solidify a strong rec and potentially someone who will call on your behalf; (3) don't be afraid to apply to clerkship one year out from graduation

BVest · Post by **BVest** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:44 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Relevant, outstanding recommendations can go a long way with certain judges. I am a case in point. Median from a T40-50 and got a D. Ct. clerkship due to my recommendations from 3 judges I interned for and a staff attorney at the state's supreme court who was my prof. All of them said I am a very good writer blah blah blah.

Very true. I had a rec from a long-time prof / former dean at my school that was largely responsible for at least interviews with judges who were alums.

XxSpyKEx · Post by **XxSpyKEx** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:41 pm

Anonymous User wrote: (3) don't be afraid to apply to clerkship one year out from graduation

+1. A year or two of biglaw experience will help for the judges that want people who have big firm experience. Imagine the applicant pool of actually qualified candidates (i.e. who have a year or two of biglaw experience) who apply to those judges is a lot smaller than the outrageous number of super qualified 2L/3L applicants who are applying to judges that hire recent grads. It'll still be very competitive, but less competitive than recent grad hiring. A year or two of biglaw experience coupled with really good recs could get you get over the hump.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 12:43 am

(1) Consider doing an externship during 3L. Even if the judge has a policy of not hiring former externs as clerks (which mine did), it could be a great recommendation down the road (as it was for me).

(2) Talk to people at your firm. At my firm, it was fine to be open about wanting to clerk down the road, and I was approached by a coworker who liked my work and who encouraged me to apply to a judge to whom that person had a connection.

I got my clerkship largely based on the strength of recommendations (1) and (2). Without them my application likely would have been thrown out because my grades were not competitive.

Edited for clarity.

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