Two-part question: (1) up to how many years of clerking do Big Law firms typically recognize for the purpose of compensation class credit, and (2) do firms typically bump your class year in the January following a post-clerkship fall start date? In particular, will firms generally recognize two years of clerking for compensation purposes (i.e., entry as a third-year associate) and, if so, is it normal for a firm to not recognize your full two years of class credit until the January after you start (e.g., you clerked for a full two years, start at the firm in October 2020, but are compensated as a second-year associate until January 2021).
Hopefully my question is clear - happy to clarify! Thanks for the help.
Question: Class Year Credit for Clerking Forum
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Anonymous User
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Re: Question: Class Year Credit for Clerking
I believe that is how it generally works. That's at least how my first offer of this cycle is--two years of credit for two clerkships (and the firm told me that was their limit), and a second-year salary until January of 2021 (when it will be bumped up to a third-year salary).
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justanotherlurker
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Re: Question: Class Year Credit for Clerking
Yes. Assuming you get class credit, you're treated like an associate of your graduation class year.
For example, if you graduated in 2018 and clerked for two years, you would start in the fall of 2020 and be treated like the same as all other 2018 graduates -- who were "first year associates" through December 2019, and "second year associates" through December 2020. You, like them, would become third year associates in January 2021.
Most firms give up to two years of credit for compensation class credit, though a single two-year clerkship is may be treated as 1 year, whereas DCt + COA is more likely to be treated as 2 years of credit. Three years of credit is unlikely, except in the case of SCOTUS.
For example, if you graduated in 2018 and clerked for two years, you would start in the fall of 2020 and be treated like the same as all other 2018 graduates -- who were "first year associates" through December 2019, and "second year associates" through December 2020. You, like them, would become third year associates in January 2021.
Most firms give up to two years of credit for compensation class credit, though a single two-year clerkship is may be treated as 1 year, whereas DCt + COA is more likely to be treated as 2 years of credit. Three years of credit is unlikely, except in the case of SCOTUS.
