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I'm more than 5 months post-interview with a judge and his staff. The interview was a second interview via video conference after we had an initial in-person interview. There's certainly no rush to fill the position - which doesn't begin until 2020, but I have emailed and called the point of contact who coordinated the interviews a few times to no avail. The judge specifically used the language "when you come here" and "we'll be back in touch"....and I took these comments to be very positive, if not an indication that I was a top candidate (I already kind of was one just by getting the interviews, right?). I know that a lot of clerkship applicants are left in the dark during the process, but I'm curious to hear additional stories about how long applicants have waited before hearing good news.

I’m afraid the language you refer to is generic and the kind of thing interviewers say to all interviewees. It doesn’t indicate anything about your chances. You should read a silent “if we hired you” before any of those kinds of statements.

5 months is pretty dang long. I'd honestly consider it a rejection and keep applying etc.

I will add that gov. shut down possibly added some time to this but my understanding is the judicial branch wasn't affected so maybe not....

I'm going on 15 months post-interview. Considering the start date was in August, at a certain point it became clear I wouldn't hear back at all.