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Hey everyone! Recent CLS/NYU graduate here. Basically this is my story: I've received mediocre grades throughout law school. Nothing terrible, but nothing great. Overall my average is probably between a B+ and an A-. I will working at a V50 firm in the fall. Even though I've always known that I've wanted to do litigation, a clerkship was never on my radar. I assumed I didn't have the grades, I was thrilled just to get a biglaw job, and it seemed like something that a tiny niche group of exceptional students did. However, the more that time goes on, the more I hear from people that it's extremely important for litigators to clerk at some point in their careers.

What I'm wondering is: is this true, and if so, what are my options? I don't want to stay at my firm or in biglaw forever. However, I also don't have any set goal for afterward. Nothing like a lot boutique or federal government or anything. Actually, I'm from the Midwest, and would not mind returning there. Actually, my dream
Job would be to work for the state government: something that doesn't pay terribly and gives me a better work/life balance. Given my more modest goals, is a clerkship really that necessary? Are there even any federal clerkships that would be an option for me? Money isn't a factor really, but I would strongly
Prefer to not live in a small or flyover area, other than the Midwestern city that I'm from. Would a state clerkship in that area be a good option? Is all of this coming too late because I'm only thinking about this now that I've graduated? Basically, I'm someone who never even looked at clerkships and I've been told repeatedly that I should, but I don't think I have the qualifications to make a clerkship worthwhile, especially given my goals. But I want to get as much perspective on this as possible. Thank you so much to anyone who responds.

Confusedgraduate456 wrote:Hey everyone! Recent CLS/NYU graduate here. Basically this is my story: I've received mediocre grades throughout law school. Nothing terrible, but nothing great. Overall my average is probably between a B+ and an A-. I will working at a V50 firm in the fall. Even though I've always known that I've wanted to do litigation, a clerkship was never on my radar. I assumed I didn't have the grades, I was thrilled just to get a biglaw job, and it seemed like something that a tiny niche group of exceptional students did. However, the more that time goes on, the more I hear from people that it's extremely important for litigators to clerk at some point in their careers.

What I'm wondering is: is this true, and if so, what are my options? I don't want to stay at my firm or in biglaw forever. However, I also don't have any set goal for afterward. Nothing like a lot boutique or federal government or anything. Actually, I'm from the Midwest, and would not mind returning there. Actually, my dream
Job would be to work for the state government: something that doesn't pay terribly and gives me a better work/life balance. Given my more modest goals, is a clerkship really that necessary? Are there even any federal clerkships that would be an option for me? Money isn't a factor really, but I would strongly
Prefer to not live in a small or flyover area, other than the Midwestern city that I'm from. Would a state clerkship in that area be a good option? Is all of this coming too late because I'm only thinking about this now that I've graduated? Basically, I'm someone who never even looked at clerkships and I've been told repeatedly that I should, but I don't think I have the qualifications to make a clerkship worthwhile, especially given my goals. But I want to get as much perspective on this as possible. Thank you so much to anyone who responds.

I'd think you'd have a shot with the federal judges in the city you're from. (You would in my flyover Midwestern district, anyway.) I don't think clerking is a must for you, but I've found that I've met a lot of lawyers. Plus my judge seems to know everyone, which I'm sure will help when I'm looking for a job. A state clerkship also seems like something you'd have a shot at.

Median at T6 is doable for clerkships after 2+ years of experience at a firm, but unlikely straight out of the gate. It sounds like you're a bit above median as a graduate, but still in that range. I'd keep good relationships with the professors you're close to and wait six months. Also start mentioning your interest in clerking to partners once you've made some impression on them and they can help.