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I have a bit of a unique situation, and I'm hoping for input. Graduated top 10% from a TT in 2018. I clerked in neighboring state trial court and passed the bar in neighboring state. However, I left the clerkship early for a JD-preferred gov't job in home state, and I totally burned that bridge with the judge (stupid, I know). I took the job in my home state because it was in the field I wanted to be in, and I wanted to be closer to family since one of my family members nearly died this year and has been battling health issues since. The job pays relatively well for gov't and is relatively easy, but I'm not enjoying it at all.

I've realized that I'd like to practice in my home state, but I haven't taken the bar yet (I'll be taking it in February). Should I just stick it out at my current new job until I pass the bar in my home state and then start looking for attorney jobs? Or, would my options be better if I obtained a state court clerkship in my home state (assuming I can get one) for the 2020-21 term? I feel like not practicing out of law school might foreclose future opportunities to practice and that a second state clerkship will give me a second chance at becoming a practicing attorney. Advice?

I would stick it out at the current job. Also, given that you’ve burned that bridge with the judge, I’m not sure you could even get another clerkship.

There's no harm in applying for clerkships. Law firms would question why you made so many transitions in such a short period of time (clerkship > JD preferred > clerkship), and if your explanation is not satisfactory, firms may view the jumps as a lack of good judgment. Make sure you have good reasons for each move and apply for federal clerkships as well.