Top Law Schools

I'm wondering if there's a consensus/protocol on how to go about applying to judges as an associate when you're actively involved in litigation before them. I'm a first year, so my name does not appear on any of the cases, and I've never appeared before these judges. If I were to apply to them or other judges in that district/circuit, is there anything I should do differently? I'd also rather not have to ask partners for permission, so if that's required I'll probably skip these chambers.

lawyersHATEhim wrote:I'm wondering if there's a consensus/protocol on how to go about applying to judges as an associate when you're actively involved in litigation before them. I'm a first year, so my name does not appear on any of the cases, and I've never appeared before these judges. If I were to apply to them or other judges in that district/circuit, is there anything I should do differently? I'd also rather not have to ask partners for permission, so if that's required I'll probably skip these chambers.

If you're currently on a case before them, I think you should prob talk to the partner first and absolutely disclose to judge IF you get an interview (I wouldn't stress about cover letter, but be prepared with what you're gonna do if you get the call). If it's just that in the past you helped out on a matter before a certain judge, I don't think you need to tell anyone until you get the interview. Once again, I would tell the judge at some point, but that'll likely be a nice chat, not anything to stress about.

Others may disagree and this is definitely a risk averse approach, but I can imagine getting yourself in trouble by not telling a partner you're currently working whose appearing in front of that very judge at the same time. Could smell a little fishy in terms of where your interests are, so just disclose.

Anon-non-anon wrote:

lawyersHATEhim wrote:I'm wondering if there's a consensus/protocol on how to go about applying to judges as an associate when you're actively involved in litigation before them. I'm a first year, so my name does not appear on any of the cases, and I've never appeared before these judges. If I were to apply to them or other judges in that district/circuit, is there anything I should do differently? I'd also rather not have to ask partners for permission, so if that's required I'll probably skip these chambers.

If you're currently on a case before them, I think you should prob talk to the partner first and absolutely disclose to judge IF you get an interview (I wouldn't stress about cover letter, but be prepared with what you're gonna do if you get the call). If it's just that in the past you helped out on a matter before a certain judge, I don't think you need to tell anyone until you get the interview. Once again, I would tell the judge at some point, but that'll likely be a nice chat, not anything to stress about.

Others may disagree and this is definitely a risk averse approach, but I can imagine getting yourself in trouble by not telling a partner you're currently working whose appearing in front of that very judge at the same time. Could smell a little fishy in terms of where your interests are, so just disclose.

This makes sense. I'll probably skip applying to these judges then, as I don't really want to alert my firm that I'm thinking of leaving for a clerkship.

lawyersHATEhim wrote:

Anon-non-anon wrote:

lawyersHATEhim wrote:I'm wondering if there's a consensus/protocol on how to go about applying to judges as an associate when you're actively involved in litigation before them. I'm a first year, so my name does not appear on any of the cases, and I've never appeared before these judges. If I were to apply to them or other judges in that district/circuit, is there anything I should do differently? I'd also rather not have to ask partners for permission, so if that's required I'll probably skip these chambers.

If you're currently on a case before them, I think you should prob talk to the partner first and absolutely disclose to judge IF you get an interview (I wouldn't stress about cover letter, but be prepared with what you're gonna do if you get the call). If it's just that in the past you helped out on a matter before a certain judge, I don't think you need to tell anyone until you get the interview. Once again, I would tell the judge at some point, but that'll likely be a nice chat, not anything to stress about.

Others may disagree and this is definitely a risk averse approach, but I can imagine getting yourself in trouble by not telling a partner you're currently working whose appearing in front of that very judge at the same time. Could smell a little fishy in terms of where your interests are, so just disclose.

This makes sense. I'll probably skip applying to these judges then, as I don't really want to alert my firm that I'm thinking of leaving for a clerkship.

Would also suck to get the interview and then have to tell the judge.

LBJ's Hair wrote:

lawyersHATEhim wrote:

Anon-non-anon wrote:

lawyersHATEhim wrote:I'm wondering if there's a consensus/protocol on how to go about applying to judges as an associate when you're actively involved in litigation before them. I'm a first year, so my name does not appear on any of the cases, and I've never appeared before these judges. If I were to apply to them or other judges in that district/circuit, is there anything I should do differently? I'd also rather not have to ask partners for permission, so if that's required I'll probably skip these chambers.

If you're currently on a case before them, I think you should prob talk to the partner first and absolutely disclose to judge IF you get an interview (I wouldn't stress about cover letter, but be prepared with what you're gonna do if you get the call). If it's just that in the past you helped out on a matter before a certain judge, I don't think you need to tell anyone until you get the interview. Once again, I would tell the judge at some point, but that'll likely be a nice chat, not anything to stress about.

Others may disagree and this is definitely a risk averse approach, but I can imagine getting yourself in trouble by not telling a partner you're currently working whose appearing in front of that very judge at the same time. Could smell a little fishy in terms of where your interests are, so just disclose.

This makes sense. I'll probably skip applying to these judges then, as I don't really want to alert my firm that I'm thinking of leaving for a clerkship.

Would also suck to get the interview and then have to tell the judge.

Yeah, but I don't think there's anything wrong with getting the interview but being very up front about the fact you're currently on a case before them and ask how they want to handle it. I would guess that they would just avoid talking to you about it (at least in any inappropriate way) and if thy wanted to give the offer, the judge may ask whether it would be tough for you to roll off the case. You'd want to talk to partner ahead of time to get a sense of this if you got the call for interview.

All moot bc OP isn't applying to those judges, which is probably best to avoid any of the weirdness above.