Officially tired of biglaw only two years in... Need a parachute. Clerkship viable with my stats? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey guys, I never really considered clerkships due to mediocre 1L grades, although I'm now wondering if I might have a shot. If anybody has any insight as to how someone with my credentials would fare, that would be really helpful.

I went to Columbia, and was Kent 2L and 3L, although super mediocre grades 1L (pretty much straight B+). No law review, although senior position on a secondary journal. I did a couple moot courts, and I'm now a second year at a v50 firm. I anticipate pretty mediocre letters of recommendation unfortunately, as I haven't tried to keep contacts going since graduating.

Ideally I'd apply in and around New York (personal reasons), although I understand that may not be realistic and I'll have to apply to places further away. Any insight as to my chances at a NY clerkship, or any clerkship at all, would be super helpful.

[Anonymous User]

Personal connections are going to be key in your situation, so I'd start reaching out to your academic/professional network ASAP to start re-building those connections. Don't underestimate how willing your old professors will be to help you. Most of them probably clerked and know the importance of giving their old students a leg up. Reach out to Columbia's clerkship office too (I imagine they would have a pretty good one). NYC is probably going to be tough, but if you're willing to consider D.N.J or D.Conn or state courts, you might have a shot.

[Wild Card]

B+ is very impressive, and Kent is extremely impressive.

Plenty of judges are suckers for high grades, so you're definitely competitive.

Also, plenty of judges pay little attention to recommendations.

[Anonymous User]

You have slightly better stats than me (I was all B+s 1L and high Stone both 2L and 3L). I was able to get both a district court clerkship and COA clerkship, albeit starting the first one after two years of working (though I got the first one while in law school). Clerkships are definitely a possibility, but applying broadly is definitely helpful.

[Anon-non-anon]

Apply to Newark district courts. Many require / like experience, and not as grade selective as NYC.

[decimalsanddollars]

Apply to Newark district courts. Many require / like experience, and not as grade selective as NYC.

This, and expand your search to the tri-state area to include D.Conn. as well. I do think you're competitive for some judges in NYC (particularly EDNY) who require or strongly prefer experience, but as others have said, it depends on your connections and a fair amount of luck.

[Anonymous User]

B+ is very impressive, and Kent is extremely impressive.

Plenty of judges are suckers for high grades, so you're definitely competitive.

Also, plenty of judges pay little attention to recommendations.

B+ is not at all impressive at CLS; a 3.3 1L GPA won't even get you Stone. Kent 2L/3L is great, but the weight it carries will depend on what classes you took.

It's certainly worth an app to some of the more experience-focused judges in EDNY, though I wouldn't bank on it. D. Conn. and D.N.J. are more plausible.