Top Law Schools

Obviously it depends on the judge, but is there a general rule of thumb as to how long it takes between an interview and offer? I've heard anywhere between a week to a month can be the norm.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu May 20, 2021 6:12 pm

Obviously it depends on the judge, but is there a general rule of thumb as to how long it takes between an interview and offer? I've heard anywhere between a week to a month can be the norm.

Yeah it really depends on the judge. Was your interview for a district court or COA?

I've heard COA are generally faster than district court judges to reach a decision.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu May 20, 2021 8:37 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu May 20, 2021 6:12 pm

Obviously it depends on the judge, but is there a general rule of thumb as to how long it takes between an interview and offer? I've heard anywhere between a week to a month can be the norm.

Yeah it really depends on the judge. Was your interview for a district court or COA?

I've heard COA are generally faster than district court judges to reach a decision.

COA. I had my interview last week and heard nothing since.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu May 20, 2021 10:46 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu May 20, 2021 8:37 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu May 20, 2021 6:12 pm

Obviously it depends on the judge, but is there a general rule of thumb as to how long it takes between an interview and offer? I've heard anywhere between a week to a month can be the norm.

Yeah it really depends on the judge. Was your interview for a district court or COA?

I've heard COA are generally faster than district court judges to reach a decision.

COA. I had my interview last week and heard nothing since.

Which Circuit? Obviously it's judge specific, but I've heard the DC Circuit can be on the longer end (month or more). I've heard similar with some of the NYC 2d Cir. judges.

I know some people who have been offered on the spot in 2nd/DC and some people who waited weeks to get their offer in the same circuit. It is really just idiosyncratic. I would not write yourself off yet.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri May 21, 2021 9:07 am

I know some people who have been offered on the spot in 2nd/DC and some people who waited weeks to get their offer in the same circuit. It is really just idiosyncratic. I would not write yourself off yet.

Yep, there is little rhyme it reason unless you’re a 2L applying on-plan

Applying off plan. Thanks, that makes sense. It was with the fifth circuit if it helps. Hopefully I’ll get some good news.

In my experience,

1 day (magistrate)
3 weeks (magistrate)
4 months (district)

Definitely varies and does not depend on type of judge. If your school keeps such data, ask, of course.

It can even vary with individual judges. I got an offer to clerk at the end of my interview and I now another person had to wait nearly a month.

Totally depends on judge. And sometimes the same judge may take different amounts of time depending on other stuff going on (e.g. trying to balance a clerk cohort or professional courtesy when they know an applicant has interviewed with someone else on the same court). When I interviewed, it took anywhere from on-the-spot to 4 months to hear back. I know one person that got an offer almost a year after interviewing (not at all common, but clearly not impossible).

It also depends on whether the judge is committed to interviewing all the people they've extended interview invites to. Some are willing to offer on the spot, others think it's rude to make offers that would result in them cancelling planned interviews with other candidates. I've seen both.

You're going to get the same answer--it varies by the judge. But to the extent that you're looking for anecdotes:

on the spot (COA)
1 month (District)
2 weeks (COA)

Different anon. I'm in a similar situation (waiting 1.5 mo. after interview). Any reason for me asking a recommender to call chambers on my behalf? I feel like its far too late in the process for that to make a difference, but who knows.

Had my COA interview two weeks ago and heard nothing. Should I assume it's a rejection?

Did you read any of the posts in this thread? You can’t assume anything. (You also never have an offer until you have the offer.)

Just another datapoint to show how random it can be:

COA: 0 days. Got an email on plan day at 12pm, interview that afternoon, offer in the interview.
District: 1+ month. Random email a few weeks after I applied, interview the next week. Waited over a month for the offer.

Adding to the anecdotes

COA: Roughly a week from interview
District: 3-4 days from interview but next business day

Another data point-
District: 10 days.