Clerkship Prep Forum

[Anonymous User]

Apologies if someone's already posted on this; I'd be happy to be directed to a responsive thread if one exists.

Essentially, I'm done with the bar (thank God) and have three weeks off before beginning a federal district court clerkship. I plan to be on vacation for most of that three weeks, but also want to make sure that I start my clerkship off on the right foot. Is there anything I should do to prep for the clerkship? Particularly, I did not take some of the classes that clerks traditionally take — Admin, Crim Pro, Civil Lit, Fourteenth Amendment. Should I try to do some light prep on those subjects?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[elipad]

I'd suggest not. Now is the time to relax and get rested before starting your clerkship. Plus, how much can you learn about these subject areas in such a short amount of time (assuming, of course, that you will be vacationing for most of it)? If you absolutely feel the need to do something, I'd suggest reading a few of your judge's opinions and/or memos written by prior clerks, if there was such a practice. Good luck and enjoy the time off!

[kellyfrost]

You didn't take a few critically important classes that most clerks will have taken and are extremely important to your duties as a clerk.
Crim Pro
14th amendment
Civil litigation.
Good luck!

[A. Nony Mouse]

Eh, you have to learn it on the job anyway. You'll be fine.

[TatteredDignity]

"Civil litigation" is a class? What does it cover--discovery disputes?

[rpupkin]

You didn't take a few critically important classes that most clerks will have taken and are extremely important to your duties as a clerk.
Crim Pro
14th amendment
Civil litigation.
Good luck!

[A. Nony Mouse]

"Civil litigation" is a class? What does it cover--discovery disputes?

To be fair, my school had "complex civil litigation," which was basically advanced civ pro, and mostly addressed how everything works in class action suits or other complex multi-party litigation.

[TatteredDignity]

"Civil litigation" is a class? What does it cover--discovery disputes?

To be fair, my school had "complex civil litigation," which was basically advanced civ pro, and mostly addressed how everything works in class action suits or other complex multi-party litigation.

Oh, ok. We had that too. I think the lack of "complex" was an important modifier that threw me off.

[Anonymous User]

Starting in 3 weeks as well and am starting to read the federal clerk manual and may read a similar one I found publish by Thompson Reuters. Was planning on skimming the local rules and judges standing orders and the like as well. This holds zero water since I haven't started and I was not recommended these, just found them, but FYI.

[OutCold]

Read a few of your judge's old opinions. You're going to be learning most of the substance on the fly anyway, and most of the issues will be identified by the briefing. Fundamentally, understand the standards for granting/denying MTDs and MSJs.

[Anonymous User]

Apologies if someone's already posted on this; I'd be happy to be directed to a responsive thread if one exists.

Essentially, I'm done with the bar (thank God) and have three weeks off before beginning a federal district court clerkship. I plan to be on vacation for most of that three weeks, but also want to make sure that I start my clerkship off on the right foot. Is there anything I should do to prep for the clerkship? Particularly, I did not take some of the classes that clerks traditionally take — Admin, Crim Pro, Civil Lit, Fourteenth Amendment. Should I try to do some light prep on those subjects?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I feel the same advice applies to starting a clerkship as to starting law school: don't worry about preparing right now. There is no guarantee you'll get a particular type of case. Sure knowing certain rules or standard of review is helpful but that is all something you can quickly pick up on the job. A decent portion of my cases at my clerkship ended up being on a complex topic I had zero classes in; you learn as you go. Good luck!

[quiver]

Eh, you have to learn it on the job anyway. You'll be fine.

Yeah, I think this is right. No point in learning any substantive law before you start. If you're really jonesing to read something, I'd skim the FRCP and/or re-read your civ pro outline.

Otherwise, just chill and enjoy the vacation.