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Chance me (1.5 years out of law school)
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 3:18 pm
by Anonymous User
2014 T-14 graduate with median grades, strong secondary journal, been working as a litigation associate at an AmLaw 200 firm in a major city since January 2015 (Jan. start date), minority, female. Looking for a district court clerkship in my home state in the southeast for fall 2017. Thanks!
Re: Chance me (1.5 years out of law school)
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 7:12 pm
by Anonymous User
I clerked for a D. Ct. in the southeast. Honestly, your chances probably aren't very good. That said, apply and see what happens. Crazier things have happened.
Re: Chance me (1.5 years out of law school)
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 8:46 pm
by WheninLaw
Anonymous User wrote:2014 T-14 graduate with median grades, strong secondary journal, been working as a litigation associate at an AmLaw 200 firm in a major city since January 2015 (Jan. start date), minority, female. Looking for a district court clerkship in my home state in the southeast for fall 2017. Thanks!
I'd say decent to good (50-75%?) shot to get at least one interview assuming your home state isn't super competitive.
Re: Chance me (1.5 years out of law school)
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 9:09 pm
by Anonymous User
Work your connections. Mention your home-state status (and any other connections) in your cover letter. Maybe have your recommenders make some calls. I would guess that you've got a chance, but not a great one. Apart from your being a female minority, your application doesn't jump out of the pile. But judges are idiosyncratic and you can never tell what will catch their attention.
Re: Chance me (1.5 years out of law school)
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 7:33 am
by Anonymous User
Without knowing which t14, I think you would have a decent shot for 2018. Especially if your t14 is V or D, I found that SE judges love to hire t14 people with state or regional connections. So as the other anon said, work your connections and play up your ties to the South in cover letters/interviews.
The 11th ct d.ct judges tend to hire later than many other circuits but we're getting to the point where many have hired for 2017. You should apply soon, and if you are open to clerking in 2018 instead, you'd have a much better chance imo
Re: Chance me (1.5 years out of law school)
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 8:55 am
by jimmythecatdied6
You need someone to bring your application to the judge's attention. Did anyone at your firm clerk in the region in which you're interested? Do any of your recommenders know the area? Those should be the first people you track down to push your application along