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Hello. I just saw on OSCAR that a judge on the EDVA is hiring a career clerk. Has anyone clerked/interned on the EDVA? They call it the "rocket docket." Does that equate to more work for the clerks? What's the culture like (friendly, rude, etc.)? Also, does anyone know anything about Judge Thomas Ellis specifically (e.g., personality). Thanks.

Best to post this in the clerkship forum: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... m.php?f=34

axel.foley wrote:Best to post this in the clerkship forum: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... m.php?f=34

I've moved it to the clerkship forum.

ihadadream wrote:Hello. I just saw on OSCAR that a judge on the EDVA is hiring a career clerk. Has anyone clerked/interned on the EDVA? They call it the "rocket docket." Does that equate to more work for the clerks? What's the culture like (friendly, rude, etc.)? Also, does anyone know anything about Judge Thomas Ellis specifically (e.g., personality). Thanks.

I would call T.S. Ellis efficient, formal, and brusque, at least externally. I have no idea how he treats his staff, though.

P.S. When you (or at least when I) google T.S. Ellis, Google displays a picture of an older black man (former congressman William Jefferson, who Ellis sentenced). Judge Ellis is instead an older white man. Not sure that it matters, but would hate for you to show up to an interview and be surprised!

Thanks for the information.

I interned for the prosecutor's office at EDVA, which is in the same building as the court. I loved it there (as an intern, at least). Everyone there was nice and collegial. It's a bit more formal than other district courts that I've come across, but the practice level is very high (a good number of AUSAs there are former Williams & Connolly / Covington associates). The 'rocket docket' rep means that you're constantly doing substantive stuff, less box-checking, as a clerk. I sat in on a trial before O'Grady, and have nothing but positive things to say about him. Don't know about the other judges.

Lastly, I would rate Alexandria very high in terms of places to live in this country. It's expensive as hell, but if you can afford it, it's a very beautiful city, and just a 15-minute Metro ride from DC.