Texas Supreme Court Clerkship Forum

[Anonymous User]

Generally, the Texas Supreme Court puts out a flyer welcoming people to apply for clerkships in January the year before the clerkship will begin. No such flyer has been posted yet. Does anybody have insider information on whether it is safe to apply or whether one should wait for the official posting?

Anon because profile has revealing information that chambers could find.

[Anonymous User]

Different user, also interested.

Also, does anyone know what the typical salary is? Google is turning up wildly different answers.

[Anonymous User]

I clerked for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court for criminal matters in Texas (in theory the CCA and the Texas Supreme Court are equal). Salary at CCA is $55K and salary at SCOTX is $61K, but I know the CCA is asking for more money this year so that they will be at $61K next year. But that is not set in stone.

SCOTX is able to charge filing fees, so they typically get paid a bit more. Not sure if they will see a salary increase after this legislative session though.

[Anonymous User]

Does this count? It's the same salary as the last advertisement last year but seems like a different position...

http://www.txcourts.gov/media/1443498/l ... 021719.pdf

[Pneumonia]

No need to wait for the flyer to post. Each judge has different hiring practices, but the staff and current clerks tend to keep an eye out for applications whenever they arrive. Things are already moving for 2020-21, so if you're thinking about applying its best to do so now.

[Anonymous User]

No need to wait for the flyer to post. Each judge has different hiring practices, but the staff and current clerks tend to keep an eye out for applications whenever they arrive. Things are already moving for 2020-21, so if you're thinking about applying its best to do so now.

Thank you very much.

[Anonymous User]

It looks like it has been posted:

http://www.txcourts.gov/media/1441650/l ... ay2018.pdf

[Anonymous User]

If I have secured an interview, is it fine to reach out to another justice to let them know that I will be in town?

[Anonymous User]

Chambers are reviewing applications for '20-'21 now. Get 'em in.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any info about what each Justice wants for a writing sample?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any info about what each Justice wants for a writing sample?

Current/future clerk here. Both justices I interviewed with were fine with a 10-page portion of my 1L brief.

[Pneumonia]

Does anyone have any info about what each Justice wants for a writing sample?

Past clerk. Just use the best thing you have. As long as the quality is decent/good, it won't matter. I used a 10-page seminar paper. Others have used 1L briefs, work from 1L summer, or the more typical notes/comments. The writing sample isn't something to sweat.

The exceptions are probably Justice Boyd and Blacklock (and Willett when he was there). They will be looking for good writing, a good topic, and probably for the piece to have been published (or at least publication worthy). Appropriate political slant will also help, but isn't necessary.

[Palsgraf1500]

Does anyone know what happens if your judge loses a general election mid-clerkship?

[texanslimjim]

Does anyone know what happens if your judge loses a general election mid-clerkship?

If a justice leaves the court during your term (retirement, defeat in an election, etc.), their clerks typically finish their terms clerking for the successor. Officially you are employed by the court as a whole rather than any particular justice. Very hard to imagine a new justice coming in and trying to fire the predecessor's clerks who have half a term left. Even if all four Republicans up for reelection in 2022 lose, the remaining five will protect the law clerks if the new justices try something dumb.

[Pneumonia]

Note also that most of the SCOTX clerks lean or are quite liberal to begin with.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if timeline is delayed this year due to COVID? When should apps go in for a 22-23 applicant? I won't have two semesters of grades until Jan/ Feb due to last semester being pass fail.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if timeline is delayed this year due to COVID? When should apps go in for a 22-23 applicant? I won't have two semesters of grades until Jan/ Feb due to last semester being pass fail.

At least one justice is full for 2022-23. You should apply now.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if timeline is delayed this year due to COVID? When should apps go in for a 22-23 applicant? I won't have two semesters of grades until Jan/ Feb due to last semester being pass fail.

At least one justice is full for 2022-23. You should apply now.

Which one?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if timeline is delayed this year due to COVID? When should apps go in for a 22-23 applicant? I won't have two semesters of grades until Jan/ Feb due to last semester being pass fail.

At least one justice is full for 2022-23. You should apply now.

Which one?

Justice Blacklock filled both positions in the fall.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if timeline is delayed this year due to COVID? When should apps go in for a 22-23 applicant? I won't have two semesters of grades until Jan/ Feb due to last semester being pass fail.

At least one justice is full for 2022-23. You should apply now.

Which one?

Justice Blacklock filled both positions in the fall.

Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have updates on where the justices are in their hiring?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have updates on where the justices are in their hiring?

For 2022 Justice Bland and Justice Blacklock are full. The rest might still be looking but get apps in ASAP.

[FLS2021]

Does anyone have updates on where the justices are in their hiring?

For 2022 Justice Bland and Justice Blacklock are full. The rest might still be looking but get apps in ASAP.

Any updates on hiring? Sent in my apps a couple of weeks ago!

[Anonymous User]

Justice Boyd has hired for 2022 and Justice Guzman has hired at least one.

[gabgab411]

Had an interview with a justice 3 weeks ago, any news on if the other 6 justices have hired yet?