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[kellyfrost]

Anyone out there ever clerk for Posner? What was it like? What's he like? Do you know anyone who has clerked for him?

I'm just wondering out of curiosity. Manly because I read he writes all or his own opinions. So I'm just wondering how his clerks fit into that and what they do for him. Not to mention, working alongside one of the most brilliant legal minds to ever exist and one of the best writers of all time would also be quite the job.

Posner!

[lavarman84]

This is from an ATL article:
http://abovethelaw.com/2014/05/thoughts ... ak-grades/

For one year, Mr. Wu worked for Richard A. Posner, a federal appellate court judge, influential University of Chicago law professor, prolific author and blogger. “Richard Posner is a kind of law demigod,” Mr. Wu said. “He didn’t really need a clerk. He wrote everything on his own. But he wanted someone to be his critic — to match wits with him intellectually, to fight with him and tell him why he was wrong.”

[Anonymous User]

He's a really lovely boss. Some applicants seem to have this image of him as a really stern taskmaster, and that wasn't my friends' experience at all. Hardworking, but totally great guy.

My sense was that there was a lot of debate and discussion. Also, he does his own drafts, but I think he still wants someone to edit/critique/revise them. Not 100% sure what that process looks like, but that's the sense I got.

[Anonymous User]

I've been told Posner will determine what he wants to do in a case (e.g., find the statute to be unambiguous, apply it in X way, and affirm the district court), and then ask his clerks to research whether anything prevents him from doing that.

[kellyfrost]

Thanks for the replies. They have all been interesting and informative.

[minnbills]

My colleague worked for him (she was a staff attorney at the 7th circuit). She said he was a wonderful guy and she really enjoyed her projects with him.