Does Transferring Law Schools Hurt Chances? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I transferred from a TTTT to a T-14 and did extremely well. I am and have been applying for clerkships, and wanted to know if transferring was going to put me at a disadvantage and how to over come that if so.

Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Your milage will vary. It would be a tough break in certain quarters: As a rule, my chambers won’t hire transfers, barring extreme exceptions. Even into HLS, CLS, ect. Then again, we wouldn’t look at a TTT application either, without some compelling reason. So you’re probably equally situated before and after the transfer in that sense. Other chambers may hire differently. In general, for clerkships, you’re better off not transferring.

[radio1nowhere]

As a rule, my chambers won’t hire transfers, barring extreme exceptions.

Man that's pretty weird. If you don't mind me asking (ok if not), what's the rationale there? And does it only apply to transfers from lower-ranked schools, or would you be open to transfers who "start" at reasonably good schools and transfer to HYS or something? What about transfers from TTTs that go to a T14 and get good grades there too?

Not a transfer myself, but the ones I know at HLS are pretty impressive.

[Anonymous User]

Your milage will vary. It would be a tough break in certain quarters: As a rule, my chambers won’t hire transfers, barring extreme exceptions. Even into HLS, CLS, ect. Then again, we wouldn’t look at a TTT application either, without some compelling reason. So you’re probably equally situated before and after the transfer in that sense. Other chambers may hire differently. In general, for clerkships, you’re better off not transferring.

Is there an exception for Y?

[Goldie]

I transferred from a T1 to a YSH school and did well there. I ended up with a COA clerkship (non 2/9/DC). One of the clerks later this year also transferred (from a T13 to a YSH school). So not all judges have such a firm rule against hiring transfers (although I was also unable to get interviews with some judges that I thought I would be competitive for).