Career vs. Personal Life - Difficult Clerkship Decision Forum

[LitigClerk]

Currently clerking for well-respected fed judge (dist. ct.) in fly-over state. Worked for 1 year at mid-size regional firm (that I SAd at) before clerking because my clerkship offer was for two years out. Approximately one month into clerkship, judge asked me to stay on for a second year. I quickly accepted, as I knew my clerkship was "one-year-with-possibility-of-a-second" from the beginning. Plus, my clerkship has brought me to the edge of my state next to a bigger city/legal market, where I intend to stay, and I hadn't yet lined up a firm job for after.
Now, half-way through my first year, judge has asked me to stay for a third year. While I'm glad judge apparently likes me, this puts me in a difficult situation - accept or decline? Below is a brief explanation of pros and cons.

Pros:
Extra year of working low stress job
JSP-14 salary where COL is low
Keep judge happy (since planning to stay in area)
Judge offered maternity leave/flexibility if I stay (huge pro considering clerks aren't covered by FMLA & having first baby while clerking would be way easier than at a firm)

Cons:
Losing approx $30k in salary
3 year clerkship seems weird on resume
3rd year with same judge has limited experience/career value
Worried I could be doing MAJOR damage to career trajectory (I feel like I need to get back in a firm and back in the courtroom (I'm a litigator), I'll come in with one year of firm experience but will cost firm more $ than other hiring options, worried if I come in as 4th/5th year associate, I won't be able to meet expectations/build book of business/be competitive for partnership. Basically, is this third year of clerking going to make me unattractive to firms?)

I appreciate all the help/advice!!

[Anonymous User]

Don't do this. Clerking for 3 years for one judge has 0 benefits and makes the clerkship look less "prestigious" on the resume overall because it looks like a borderline career clerk thing. You will also certainly not get credit for all 3 years, and maybe not even 2.

[ballouttacontrol]

If you want a cushy low stress job for less pay in a lower COL area why don't you apply for govt jobs then?

[LitigClerk]

If you want a cushy low stress job for less pay in a lower COL area why don't you apply for govt jobs then?

I don't necessarily want a "cushy low stress job." After practicing in a firm for a year, sure - it's great to work 9-5 & not have tons of work & stressful deadlines. (And that is an even bigger positive if I am going to start a family.) But, I'm a civil litigator & love that work.. So, I'm definitely looking to transition back into a law firm post-clerkship. Also, not sure what gov't jobs you're referring to, but around here (south mid-west), AUSA positions are few & hard to come by, and state gov't jobs pay like $35-60K, so that would be a no.

[davidagnew]

Don't do this. Clerking for 3 years for one judge has 0 benefits and makes the clerkship look less "prestigious" on the resume overall because it looks like a borderline career clerk thing. You will also certainly not get credit for all 3 years, and maybe not even 2.

What's not good about career clerk thing?

[A. Nony Mouse]

It's a great gig while you have it. It's not a great gig for getting another non-clerking legal job after your judge dies/retires. You're considered not to have the skills or temperament pertinent to private practice.