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Hi all,

Hoping someone can help me answer this question. I graduated law school in May 2019 and started working at a firm in September 2019. I passed the bar in November 2019. I am starting a clerkship in August 2020. I’m curious whether I will start as JSP-11 or JSP-12. The pay difference is quite substantial, so I’d like to get it figured out soon for budgeting purposes but feel uncomfortable asking chambers this question. Does anyone have any similar experience that could help answer this question? I appreciate the help.

You need a year of post-law school experience so expect to start at JSP-11 and then ask your judge for a raise to JSP-12 in September/October.

lol I just wrote a much longer answer and my computer ate it, but yes, it was exactly what anon above just said much more succinctly. I was in the same situation and that's exactly how it worked - you need 52 weeks of work experience for JSP-12. You don't have to be admitted - I know someone who started working right after they graduated and that counted - but it has to be work experience, not time since graduation.

Caveat is that it is at the judge's discretion to promote you so in theory it's possible they wouldn't. In practice I don't think it's really ever an issue - I did hear a story of one judge who did not promote clerks during their term because their district was in the red and they wanted to save money, but I believe that judge also made that stance clear either in their job posting or the interview, so candidates knew before signing on. And it was a while ago that I heard that.

nixy wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 10, 2020 10:45 pm

lol I just wrote a much longer answer and my computer ate it, but yes, it was exactly what anon above just said much more succinctly. I was in the same situation and that's exactly how it worked - you need 52 weeks of work experience for JSP-12. You don't have to be admitted - I know someone who started working right after they graduated and that counted - but it has to be work experience, not time since graduation.

What if you take some time off between ending your time at the firm and starting at the clerkship? Would those gap weeks count? Or would you have to delay the promotion by the number of weeks you took off?

My understanding is that it would delay the promotion. When you fill out your AO-78 form, you have to list the start and end date for each position and I believe they add up the days.

ExperssioUnius wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 11, 2020 1:15 am

My understanding is that it would delay the promotion. When you fill out your AO-78 form, you have to list the start and end date for each position and I believe they add up the days.

yes, it’s very precise. I got the pay bump after I’d worked exactly 52 weeks (factoring for time off) plus a week or two more for HR to implement and payroll to change.

franny90 wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 11, 2020 6:18 am

ExperssioUnius wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 11, 2020 1:15 am

My understanding is that it would delay the promotion. When you fill out your AO-78 form, you have to list the start and end date for each position and I believe they add up the days.

yes, it’s very precise. I got the pay bump after I’d worked exactly 52 weeks (factoring for time off) plus a week or two more for HR to implement and payroll to change.

+1.