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I haven't found this exact topic anywhere else. I applied to post-grad public interest fellowships in the early fall. I am still waiting on Equal Justice Works. I know that my application is still being considered, and I will receive another status update by March 1. A fellowship is my top choice, and Equal Justice Works is my last hope.

However, I understand how competitive the fellowship process is and that I need back-up plans. I am also interested in pursuing state clerkships, so I applied to some a couple of weeks ago. I was granted one interview, and it is scheduled for next Wednesday. My school has now informed me that I should not go to an interview with a judge, even a state one, unless I am willing to accept an offer.

I've been battling with calling the Chambers and explaining my dilemma a couple of days before the interview and seeing what they say. I fear that if I wait until after the interview, it could be very awkward. I don't want to throw away my chances at the fellowship because it's really important to me, but we are not supposed to ask for status updates from Equal Justice Works unless we have an actual offer from someplace else. Also, I fear that if I ask for an update it may negatively affect me if they tell me to take the interview with the judge and move me to the "no" pile or something. But I don't want to insult the judge either, and I definitely do not want to lose out on any employment opportunities while I anxiously wait for a decision from Equal Justice Works that could possibly take a couple more months. Any thoughts?

I feel like you should explain this to the judge ahead of time. No idea how they'll want to handle it, but they should know the situation. At the very least, at the interview.

Can you reapply for the fellowship next year if you clerk this year? I think that's your best way forward if the clerkship follows the typical schedule (September to August). Then next year you won't be pressed up against any other hiring deadlines for back-up options in the early spring when you might hear back from the fellowship (assuming you're considering smaller firms, non-profit, local government, which tend to hire closer to the end of someone's clerkship).

Every employer/judge is different, but it's likely the judge wants to hire immediately. Even state judges receive sufficient applications to have their pick of the litter. I'm actually surprised the state judge is still hiring for this fall.

ggocat wrote:Can you reapply for the fellowship next year if you clerk this year? I think that's your best way forward if the clerkship follows the typical schedule (September to August). Then next year you won't be pressed up against any other hiring deadlines for back-up options in the early spring when you might hear back from the fellowship (assuming you're considering smaller firms, non-profit, local government, which tend to hire closer to the end of someone's clerkship).

Every employer/judge is different, but it's likely the judge wants to hire immediately. Even state judges receive sufficient applications to have their pick of the litter. I'm actually surprised the state judge is still hiring for this fall.

Good advice. Unfortunately, you can't defer a fellowship if offered. I could reapply, but I'm working closely with the sponsoring organization and made the commitment so I don't think it's right to pull out. Plus it's really my top choice for next year. I guess it just stinks knowing that I could wait it out, not get it, and then there's limited to no clerkships available. It looks like there's some options for state clerkships if you're willing to travel somewhere not as convenient. I'm particularly looking at NJ, which hires a lot of clerks in all the counties. As of a couple weeks ago, over 100 judges were still hiring.

A. Nony Mouse wrote:I feel like you should explain this to the judge ahead of time. No idea how they'll want to handle it, but they should know the situation. At the very least, at the interview.

Thanks. That's what I have been leaning towards doing.