Non-public career clerkship openings? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Every once in a while, a career clerkship opening hits OSCAR. I've heard, though, that many federal career clerkships aren't externally advertised. Where should I be sniffing around to find out about them?

(I'm at the stage of my career where I think I might be done with practice, but in-house isn't an option, and a career clerkship sounds like just what the doctor ordered to ride into the sunset.)

[Anonymous User]

This is niche enough that you may not get an answer here, but there's a federal career clerk named /u/surfpenguinz who regularly gives clerkship advice on Reddit and they may have something useful to say.

[Anonymous User]

In my district, career clerkships are generally not advertised. If they are advertised, they are usually posted on the individual court website, and perhaps cross-posted on uscourts.gov.

The best way to get a career clerkship is to just start term clerking in the court you want you to be in.
Career clerkships are generally filled through word of mouth, usually by a judge’s former clerk or someone already clerking within the court. Network with other clerks so they recommend you when a position opens up.

These positions are often competitive. Judges only get one career clerk, and career clerks lose their job when a judge leaves. So you will likely be competing with multiple current clerks for a spot.

[Anonymous User]

In my district, career clerkships are generally not advertised. If they are advertised, they are usually posted on the individual court website, and perhaps cross-posted on uscourts.gov.

The best way to get a career clerkship is to just start term clerking in the court you want you to be in.
Career clerkships are generally filled through word of mouth, usually by a judge’s former clerk or someone already clerking within the court. Network with other clerks so they recommend you when a position opens up.

These positions are often competitive. Judges only get one career clerk, and career clerks lose their job when a judge leaves. So you will likely be competing with multiple current clerks for a spot.

Agreed with all the above. In my courthouse, the career clerks had all started as term clerks and they swapped around different judges based on word of mouth.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I clerked reasonably close to where I am now, but several years ago, so I am out of the loop. It sounds like I should reactivate some of those connections. Thanks for the tips!