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I'm interested in clerking and I've been working in big law for two years. Are there judges that prefer work experience?

robin22 wrote:I'm interested in clerking and I've been working in big law for two years. Are there judges that prefer work experience?

Yes.

Many if not most district judges in big districts like SDNY prefer clerks to have work experience before they start. The problem from your position is that many of those judges hire 2-3 years out. So yes, your work experience isn't an obstacle to clerking per se, but are you looking to clerk as a 5th year?

Lincoln wrote:Many if not most district judges in big districts like SDNY prefer clerks to have work experience before they start. The problem from your position is that many of those judges hire 2-3 years out. So yes, your work experience isn't an obstacle to clerking per se, but are you looking to clerk as a 5th year?

That's a good point - no, I want to clerk sooner rather than later. How do people who are working apply for/acquire clerkships given that timeline? Do they accept a clerkship offer 2 years out and then just work until then? Would they keep it a secret from their employer?

robin22 wrote:

Lincoln wrote:Many if not most district judges in big districts like SDNY prefer clerks to have work experience before they start. The problem from your position is that many of those judges hire 2-3 years out. So yes, your work experience isn't an obstacle to clerking per se, but are you looking to clerk as a 5th year?

That's a good point - no, I want to clerk sooner rather than later. How do people who are working apply for/acquire clerkships given that timeline? Do they accept a clerkship offer 2 years out and then just work until then? Would they keep it a secret from their employer?

Many apply in or shortly after law school and work while knowing they'll leave for a clerkship. Many firms encourage clerking so there would be no need to keep it a secret.

Yes many judges prefer work experience, but I think a much smaller number would be looking for a clerk with 4-5 years of big law experience, as you would have by the time you start.

You'll have to look in the South and rural West (not CA or Seattle) if you want to find clerkships starting soon. Some may be interested in your experience. If you're trying for NY, you'll be looking at districts in 2019 at the earliest, more likely 2020 and 2021.

FascinatedWanderer wrote:Yes many judges prefer work experience, but I think a much smaller number would be looking for a clerk with 4-5 years of big law experience, as you would have by the time you start.

I am clerking with about 4 years big law - I don't think they would be looking For 2-3 but not 4-5 (sort of counterintuitive unless they're just ageist). Now, query as to whether it's good career wise but I don't think judges would differ and you'd interview at 2-3 years anyways.

As an aside district court clerking was pretty fucking easy after that much big law experience. COA, not so much.