Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship?? Forum
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Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
I know most of this forum is used for people trying to get a clerkship, but it seems like there's quite a few past clerks on here. I'm four days into my clerkship and I expected a learning curve, but man it's rough. Everyone in chambers is really nice, but it feels like there's minimal oversight so I've got to get everything right on my own, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm trying to balance moving quickly with being thorough and accurate, I don't even know what some of the motions and words the other people in chambers use mean, the whole deal. Does anyone have any tips for trying to get up to speed, trying to do a good job and get it right, etc.?
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Re: Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
Most new jobs have the super-uncomfortable transition period, where you have no idea what anybody is talking about, but District Court clerkships (and other trial-court positions) are among the most intense. In about a month, you'll be a pro, but those first few days are terrifying.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:08 pmI know most of this forum is used for people trying to get a clerkship, but it seems like there's quite a few past clerks on here. I'm four days into my clerkship and I expected a learning curve, but man it's rough. Everyone in chambers is really nice, but it feels like there's minimal oversight so I've got to get everything right on my own, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm trying to balance moving quickly with being thorough and accurate, I don't even know what some of the motions and words the other people in chambers use mean, the whole deal. Does anyone have any tips for trying to get up to speed, trying to do a good job and get it right, etc.?
My main advice: don't be afraid to ask questions. This can vary depending on chambers culture, but if you're trying to figure out what a final pretrial order is . . . someone knows and that person will probably be happy to tell you. What about your co-clerk(s)? For stuff that doesn't seem chambers-appropriate, you might be able to reach out to prior clerks, or to other clerks in the courthouse. Everyone wants you to be up to speed; unless your judge is weirdly into hazing, nobody wants you stumbling around trying to guess what "CJRA" means.
The key, though, is to realize that this isn't a unique facet of the clerkship, but is instead just an extreme variation on what new jobs are like. Psychologically, that made it more manageable for me.
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Re: Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
I'm starting in a few weeks and am terrified about this. Has anyone compiled any sort of clerk handbook/manual? Would really appreciate getting a look at something like that.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:08 pmI know most of this forum is used for people trying to get a clerkship, but it seems like there's quite a few past clerks on here. I'm four days into my clerkship and I expected a learning curve, but man it's rough. Everyone in chambers is really nice, but it feels like there's minimal oversight so I've got to get everything right on my own, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm trying to balance moving quickly with being thorough and accurate, I don't even know what some of the motions and words the other people in chambers use mean, the whole deal. Does anyone have any tips for trying to get up to speed, trying to do a good job and get it right, etc.?
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Re: Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
I'm finishing up my district-court clerkship now. Everyone feels this way at first.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:08 pmI know most of this forum is used for people trying to get a clerkship, but it seems like there's quite a few past clerks on here. I'm four days into my clerkship and I expected a learning curve, but man it's rough. Everyone in chambers is really nice, but it feels like there's minimal oversight so I've got to get everything right on my own, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm trying to balance moving quickly with being thorough and accurate, I don't even know what some of the motions and words the other people in chambers use mean, the whole deal. Does anyone have any tips for trying to get up to speed, trying to do a good job and get it right, etc.?
Two pieces of advice:
(1) If there's a motion or term you're not familiar with, definitely ask. In addition, look at the Judge's previous orders on Westlaw, using the advanced search feature: (JU(JudgeLastName)). I found that to be SUPER helpful when I was first starting. If your chambers has an internal drive with older opinions, also look through there for parallel opinions and orders.
(2) In addition, read through the local rules soon and also throughout your clerkship. This will not only give you some helpful terminology, but it will also inform you of some rules that will be necessary to know.
Separately, a lot of the things I found confusing were confusing because they required a judgment call. There's not always a "correct" answer for some of the more administrative and procedural things that come up. So you'll also learn to trust your instinct as your clerkship continues. Hang in there! You got this!
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Re: Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
FJC has one available here: https://www.fjc.gov/sites/default/files ... dition.pdfAnonymous User wrote: ↑Fri Aug 13, 2021 9:46 amI'm starting in a few weeks and am terrified about this. Has anyone compiled any sort of clerk handbook/manual? Would really appreciate getting a look at something like that.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:08 pmI know most of this forum is used for people trying to get a clerkship, but it seems like there's quite a few past clerks on here. I'm four days into my clerkship and I expected a learning curve, but man it's rough. Everyone in chambers is really nice, but it feels like there's minimal oversight so I've got to get everything right on my own, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm trying to balance moving quickly with being thorough and accurate, I don't even know what some of the motions and words the other people in chambers use mean, the whole deal. Does anyone have any tips for trying to get up to speed, trying to do a good job and get it right, etc.?
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Re: Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
The first month or two of a district court clerkship is information overload. It will get easier over time. Right now, rely on the career clerk (if there is one) and also the case manager. It is common and expected that you will have lots of questions. There's no real magic bullet to this. Take things day by day and before you know it, you will be feeling much more comfortable.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:08 pmI know most of this forum is used for people trying to get a clerkship, but it seems like there's quite a few past clerks on here. I'm four days into my clerkship and I expected a learning curve, but man it's rough. Everyone in chambers is really nice, but it feels like there's minimal oversight so I've got to get everything right on my own, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm trying to balance moving quickly with being thorough and accurate, I don't even know what some of the motions and words the other people in chambers use mean, the whole deal. Does anyone have any tips for trying to get up to speed, trying to do a good job and get it right, etc.?
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Re: Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
In general, filter everything you do through the rule of thumb that your goal is to save your judge time.
If your chambers has a clerk manual, read it thoroughly when you start. Before you do a task for the first time, reread the relevant section. And then go back and read the whole thing again after a month or so. You’ll be amazed about what you didn't notice before.
Ask lots of questions—much better to ask than to do it wrong. Your JA is probably the person to ask most of your questions. Ask questions of the outgoing clerks too (including after they leave). They’re the best resources on how to do the job. Folks you know who have clerked before, or even who started a little while before you, are also great to ask. And it’s a good idea to ask your recommenders for high-level clerkship advice. They’ve stuck their necks out for you, are happy for you, and want you to do well and stay in touch.
Two resources I wish I knew about as a new clerk:
https://clinic.cyber.harvard.edu/files/ ... t-v1.0.pdf
https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/file ... -cases.pdf
If your chambers has a clerk manual, read it thoroughly when you start. Before you do a task for the first time, reread the relevant section. And then go back and read the whole thing again after a month or so. You’ll be amazed about what you didn't notice before.
Ask lots of questions—much better to ask than to do it wrong. Your JA is probably the person to ask most of your questions. Ask questions of the outgoing clerks too (including after they leave). They’re the best resources on how to do the job. Folks you know who have clerked before, or even who started a little while before you, are also great to ask. And it’s a good idea to ask your recommenders for high-level clerkship advice. They’ve stuck their necks out for you, are happy for you, and want you to do well and stay in touch.
Two resources I wish I knew about as a new clerk:
https://clinic.cyber.harvard.edu/files/ ... t-v1.0.pdf
https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/file ... -cases.pdf
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Re: Advice for when you're actually at your clerkship??
This, no joke, is an absolute game changer. The advanced search skips about four extra clicks, and you should be looking at your judge's previous orders on similar topics every time you write, so it adds up to a lot of clicks.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:32 amIn addition, look at the Judge's previous orders on Westlaw, using the advanced search feature: (JU(JudgeLastName)).
I just started with a district clerkship and the learning curve is *way* worse than previous appellate clerkships. I asked around and I was told to expect a rough time for a few months. So you have my sympathy, at least.