Recommenders v. Grades for COA Forum

[Anonymous User]

To what extent does a district court clerkship in the circuit, as well as a couple glowing recommendation letters from very influential individuals make up for good—not great—grades from MVPB? (The recommenders came into play after securing the d.ct. clerkship).

[bruinfan10]

To what extent does a district court clerkship in the circuit, as well as a couple glowing recommendation letters from very influential individuals make up for good—not great—grades from MVPB? (The recommenders came into play after securing the d.ct. clerkship).

Zero chance anyone can give you an accurate general answer on this. It depends judge to judge depending on their relationship with your recommenders. Just apply and cross your fingers. The district court clerkship will undoubtedly help you a lot.

[rpupkin]

To what extent does a district court clerkship in the circuit, as well as a couple glowing recommendation letters from very influential individuals make up for good—not great—grades from MVPB? (The recommenders came into play after securing the d.ct. clerkship).

What bruinfan10 said.

Also, in the COA chambers I clerked in, a recommender was "very influential" only if he or she personally knew my judge and picked up the phone to call on the applicant's behalf. Trust me, COA judges get hundreds of glowing recommendation letters from important individuals in the legal community. I wouldn't necessarily assume that your circumstances are special.

[ndirish2010]

To what extent does a district court clerkship in the circuit, as well as a couple glowing recommendation letters from very influential individuals make up for good—not great—grades from MVPB? (The recommenders came into play after securing the d.ct. clerkship).

What bruinfan10 said.

Also, in the COA chambers I clerked in, a recommender was "very influential" only if he or she personally knew my judge and picked up the phone to call on the applicant's behalf. Trust me, COA judges get hundreds of glowing recommendation letters from important individuals in the legal community. I wouldn't necessarily assume that your circumstances are special.

That was even true in my district court chambers. My judge recognized a lot of peoples' names, but only a few people had special pull.

[Anonymous User]

In my experiences, letters & calls would only ever move an otherwise qualified (grades wise) candidate from the maybe pile to the call-in-for-an-interview pile. If you fell below my judges' expectations for grades, no letter would help. There's just so many more highly qualified applicants than there are spots, there's not really any reason to depart from whatever grade cut offs a judge establishes.

[legalmindedfellow]

To what extent does a district court clerkship in the circuit, as well as a couple glowing recommendation letters from very influential individuals make up for good—not great—grades from MVPB? (The recommenders came into play after securing the d.ct. clerkship).

Look for judges within that circuit (or elsewhere) who seem to want their hires to have a d ct clerkship first. (As opposed to someone who seems to hire out of law school). For those judges, recs + checking the district court box -> might get there.