List anon.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:16 pmI think the move is to go take a class with one of these profs and do well. It isn't either a necessary nor a sufficient condition for SDNY/EDNY, but it would certainly be helpful.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 2:32 pmOne of the above CLS posters - so I'm in the high-stone 1L, 2L Kent, Sec. journal with all black-letters but not v useful recommenders. Let's say I strike out this go-around, is the move to find a 3L class to get to know one of these recs or is there any chance you can still luck out?
If I was a 2L/3L at CLS interested in getting a clerkship, the BEST thing I could do for myself would be to kill it in a Richman class and build a relationship with him. I mean, obviously, do well in all of your classes -- he can't snap his fingers and get a 3.5 SDNY or something crazy -- but the RoI on building a relationship with Richman >>> anyone else.
The contrast between Richman and the other excellent recommenders I pointed to on the list is how much time Richman will take with you. Merrill et al are happy to suggest a few judges they know well and to call 3-5 judges on your behalf, and those calls will be very persuasive. Richman will do much more, both on the front end (strategizing about everything, figuring out judges you would be a good fit for) and on the back end (he's incredibly proactive and willing to make LOTS of calls on your behalf). He also has a really unbelievable network / a lot of juice nationwide: he just knows a great deal of judges and they all take him seriously. Richman is what a functional clerkships office should be.
N.B. on cheesing Kent: are we sure? I know someone who "cheesed" 2L/3L Kent (one hard doctrinal, one soft doctrinal, joke seminars/externships) and was a secondary journal / straight white male who got a liberal CA2 spot because he had Richman + another power recommender go to bat for him. You definitely don't need to take only FedCourts, Advanced Admin, etc.
Also Livingston will interview anyone who fits in either category (1L LR or 2L/3L Kent) if you get an A in her class, though my sense is she's not a great recommender. Unclear if an A in Lynch's CivPro or Sullivan's interpretation seminar will get that for you. Anyone have thoughts on if acing Seo's crim class will get you a Park interview? (And does CLS have any other CA2/SDNY/EDNY connections? Legit have never heard of anyone having a relationship with Sack even though he runs the CA2 externships.)