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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Anon-non-anon wrote: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.

Wild Card wrote: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.