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Hi all,

I'm a current first year looking to apply for a Dist. Ct. clerkship after two or three years of practice. I have lined up three letters of rec from law school professors, but I am wondering if one (or more) needs to be from a partner at my firm (i.e., so the Judge can hear from practicing lawyers about my writing, research, etc.). Assuming I clerk, I'm not sure if after I'd return to my current firm, so I'm hesitant on asking a partner for a LOR. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be great. Thanks

If you already have three letters from law school professors, then don't bother with a law firm partner unless you think the law firm partner will write an exceptionally strong one.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 22, 2022 12:11 pm

If you already have three letters from law school professors, then don't bother with a law firm partner unless you think the law firm partner will write an exceptionally strong one.

Agreed with this, and would only add another instance would be if a partner who would/could write for you knows a given judge (or would call up the judge).

(Also I know this is terrible nit-picking but clerking as a mid-level associate is not the same as clerking mid-career, unless you expect your career to last only 6 years or so.)