2017-2018 Post-Clerkship Hiring Forum

[Anonymous User]

Thought I might as well get this thread started. It's really early to apply, but is there any movement out there?

[Anonymous User]

Most of started less than a month ago. I don't know anyone who's started applying yet.

[Anonymous User]

Most of started less than a month ago. I don't know anyone who's started applying yet.

Several clerks in my district have off-cycle start/end dates, some whose clerkship is concluding this winter and some this spring. They've been applying for early 2018 start dates at firms.

[BulletTooth]

Tag

[Mobster1983]

Applied to DOJ Honors and plan on a couple other honor programs over the next few weeks. Will see how that goes before looking some more.

[deuceindc]

Feeling bullish today: First-Year Associate Hiring Set to Increase at Law Firms. Granted, we're all probably looking to land a year of seniority + signing bonus, but increased demand for junior associates is good for us.

[Anonymous User]

SDNY/DE bankruptcy clerk here. When is everyone planning to begin their job search?

[Anonymous User]

(2/9/D.C. Clerk) myself and one other co clerk are likely looking to apply soonish. Word is that some litigation boutiques may have started informal conversations.

What is everyone doing re: writing samples where judge isn't allowing any written product to be used? Do firms actually look at the writing sample?

[Anonymous User]

(2/9/D.C. Clerk) myself and one other co clerk are likely looking to apply soonish. Word is that some litigation boutiques may have started informal conversations.

What is everyone doing re: writing samples where judge isn't allowing any written product to be used? Do firms actually look at the writing sample?

2-year clerk here. In the past few months I have had a handful interviews in BigLaw and BigFed. My judge does allow me to use my work product but, FWIW, not once has an interviewer mentioned my writing sample. It may be different for lit boutiques but I don't think the larger employers care very much.

[peter2009]

SDNY/DE bankruptcy clerk here. When is everyone planning to begin their job search?

The sooner the better. A lot of people wait until January but there is no downside to starting now.

[Anonymous User]

(2/9/D.C. Clerk) myself and one other co clerk are likely looking to apply soonish. Word is that some litigation boutiques may have started informal conversations.

What is everyone doing re: writing samples where judge isn't allowing any written product to be used? Do firms actually look at the writing sample?

Also 2/9/DC and can confirm re: litigation boutiques—and not just informal conversations. For boutiques that only hire clerks, I don't think there's any downside in applying now and there can be real upside.

[Anonymous User]

(2/9/D.C. Clerk) myself and one other co clerk are likely looking to apply soonish. Word is that some litigation boutiques may have started informal conversations.

What is everyone doing re: writing samples where judge isn't allowing any written product to be used? Do firms actually look at the writing sample?

2-year clerk here. In the past few months I have had a handful interviews in BigLaw and BigFed. My judge does allow me to use my work product but, FWIW, not once has an interviewer mentioned my writing sample. It may be different for lit boutiques but I don't think the larger employers care very much.

For those whose judges permit using work product as a writing sample: are you using a draft of the opinion (that includes no edits by the judge) or just submitting the published opinion (with an explanation that it includes the judge's edits)?

[Anonymous User]

(2/9/D.C. Clerk) myself and one other co clerk are likely looking to apply soonish. Word is that some litigation boutiques may have started informal conversations.

What is everyone doing re: writing samples where judge isn't allowing any written product to be used? Do firms actually look at the writing sample?

2-year clerk here. In the past few months I have had a handful interviews in BigLaw and BigFed. My judge does allow me to use my work product but, FWIW, not once has an interviewer mentioned my writing sample. It may be different for lit boutiques but I don't think the larger employers care very much.

For those whose judges permit using work product as a writing sample: are you using a draft of the opinion (that includes no edits by the judge) or just submitting the published opinion (with an explanation that it includes the judge's edits)?

I use an unedited (by the judge) draft opinion.

[sportsstatboy]

tag

[michaelm55]

I am one year through a two-year federal district clerkship, and graduated top-third from a top-14 law school. I have been applying since July 2017 to begin in the fall of 2018, and have received some offers, including a big law offer. It is never too early to start.

The one bit of advice I would offer is to focus on job postings for specific positions, not general emails to firm recruiters. The latter are generally less effective in my experience.

[deuceindc]

The one bit of advice I would offer is to focus on job postings for specific positions, not general emails to firm recruiters. The latter are generally less effective in my experience.

Are you talking about positions that specify a fall 2018(/otherwise post-clerkship) start date, or do you mean positions that firms are advertising as available? I've gotten some positive feedback on the former (1:1 application:CB) but I'm hesitant to apply to the latter because, well, I'm not really available to start working in the next 10 months.

ETA: anyone have luck applying through clerkship-specific recruiters at firms?

[JakeTappers]

The one bit of advice I would offer is to focus on job postings for specific positions, not general emails to firm recruiters. The latter are generally less effective in my experience.

Are you talking about positions that specify a fall 2018(/otherwise post-clerkship) start date, or do you mean positions that firms are advertising as available? I've gotten some positive feedback on the former (1:1 application:CB) but I'm hesitant to apply to the latter because, well, I'm not really available to start working in the next 10 months.

ETA: anyone have luck applying through clerkship-specific recruiters at firms?

Shit, these exist??

[JakeTappers]

I am one year through a two-year federal district clerkship, and graduated top-third from a top-14 law school. I have been applying since July 2017 to begin in the fall of 2018, and have received some offers, including a big law offer. It is never too early to start.

The one bit of advice I would offer is to focus on job postings for specific positions, not general emails to firm recruiters. The latter are generally less effective in my experience.

Oft-asked questions here, but how detailed are/were you being in your cover letter or emails? Just hey i'm a clerk, here's my resume and whatever else is requested, or a bunch of shit about what you've done and learned and what attracts you to the firm?

[Anonymous User]

I hear Susman is starting to get going. Word is clerk receptions will be next month.

[Anonymous User]

I hear Susman is starting to get going. Word is clerk receptions will be next month.

Can confirm, got the LA recruiting letter this morning.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have advice for negotiating a below-market clerkship bonus upwards? Should this proceed through my recruiter, or should I take the in-house firm hiring coordinator at his word when he said to reach out to him with questions?

[Anonymous User]

So... should we be just sending resumes and transcripts to firms of interest?

[JakeTappers]

I am one year through a two-year federal district clerkship, and graduated top-third from a top-14 law school. I have been applying since July 2017 to begin in the fall of 2018, and have received some offers, including a big law offer. It is never too early to start.

The one bit of advice I would offer is to focus on job postings for specific positions, not general emails to firm recruiters. The latter are generally less effective in my experience.

Appreciate this advice greatly. But through the v100 I’m only seeing a handful of lit positions listed. Is there another place to look rather than just the firm websites?

[Anonymous User]

So, would BIGLAW be interested in someone with a temporary clerkship? Graduated top 25% from T-10, took a temporary clerkship because it was in a good market.

[Anonymous User]

So, would BIGLAW be interested in someone with a temporary clerkship? Graduated top 25% from T-10, took a temporary clerkship because it was in a good market.

My impression is that a temp clerkship is a small plus on your resume. You're biglaw-eligible based on grades/school, so depends on firms' needs and your capabilities and fit.