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I graduated from law school in 2013. I then clerked on a district court for two years. I went to a firm that paid me a clerkship bonus for those two years. After working at the firm for two years, I went to a circuit clerkship for two more years. As my clerkship finishes up, I've been applying to positions with other big firms that generally offer clerkship bonuses.

I recently received an offer that offered me a position as if I were Class of 2015. I have no objection to that--I wasn't expecting to receive more than two years of class credit from clerkships. I was a little surprised, however, that I did not receive any offer of a clerkship bonus. It seems to me that if I'm writing off two years of clerkships for class credit, then its not absurd for me to receive a clerkship bonus for my circuit clerkship. I was wondering what other people thought about this. Would I be out of line/ridiculous if I asked for a clerkship bonus?

I see nothing wrong with asking. It’s a substantial amount of money. I’m sure you know how to ask professionally.

Anonymous User wrote:I graduated from law school in 2013. I then clerked on a district court for two years. I went to a firm that paid me a clerkship bonus for those two years. After working at the firm for two years, I went to a circuit clerkship for two more years. As my clerkship finishes up, I've been applying to positions with other big firms that generally offer clerkship bonuses.

I recently received an offer that offered me a position as if I were Class of 2015. I have no objection to that--I wasn't expecting to receive more than two years of class credit from clerkships. I was a little surprised, however, that I did not receive any offer of a clerkship bonus. It seems to me that if I'm writing off two years of clerkships for class credit, then its not absurd for me to receive a clerkship bonus for my circuit clerkship. I was wondering what other people thought about this. Would I be out of line/ridiculous if I asked for a clerkship bonus?

Agree you should ask/negotiate a bit, but I’m also not that surprised they aren’t even offering you the bonus. The bonus is really part of attracting clerks early in their career when they are a bit of a hot commodity. Because you’ve done 4 total years of clerkships, you’re in a different position where a lot of firms would be less interested, and so they have more leverage than if you were an incoming 2nd year off the same clerkship.