Top Law Schools

Do chambers typically contact an applicant’s place of employment? I’m starting work in January in a general litigation group. My long term goal is to be a bankruptcy lawyer. Yesterday one of my recommenders contacted me about a potential Fall 2021 BR clerkship spot that she has a pretty good connection to. The only issue is that my firm has straight up told me that a BR clerkship will not cut it, and that they will not let me automatically return. I am fine not returning to the firm, they only have a very small BR practice and it’s not active in my choice-market, but I need/want a job from January-August 2021. I should add that the clerkship would be in a different city and I cannot ascertain any obvious connections between the firm and the judge.

Also interested in this

Judges don't typically cold call law firms to ask about an applicant's suitability. On the other hand, law is a small world--more so for niche practices like bankruptcy. Even without an obvious connection, there is a high risk that the judge could drop your name to one of your firm's partners at a hearing, CLE, etc. City is a less relevant distinction than state. If you want the clerkship, and with the facts you gave, I'd say go for it but be prepared for an icy welcome and lots of doc review if and when the firm finds out.

I can't speak to your firm, but generally, a bankruptcy clerkship is very valuable for anyone who wants to do bankruptcy litigation (and even for someone who wants to do non-litigation restructuring work). If you have the opportunity to clerk, I would absolutely go for it.

OP here.

I am submitting an application this evening, thanks everyone for the responses. My eventual goal is to work in restructuring, and I am hopeful that this opportunity (assuming I am fortunate enough to stick the landing) will help get me there. I am happy to do doc review/grunt work so long as I have a paying job and insurance for the first half of 2021 .