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Taboo to reach out to current clerks?
Posted: Sun May 05, 2024 1:33 pm
by Anonymous User
Should prospective applicants only be talking to former clerks--rather than current clerks--of judges they're interested in? Is it taboo to reach out to a current clerk, given that they will be one of the people screening your application? I can't remember if I read this advice somewhere or if I'm completely imagining it and it's fine to reach out to whoever you want. Thank you!
Re: Taboo to reach out to current clerks?
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 6:03 pm
by Anonymous User
Absolutely do not reach out to current clerks
Re: Taboo to reach out to current clerks?
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 6:15 pm
by Anonymous User
Yeah it's taboo. Don't do it.
Re: Taboo to reach out to current clerks?
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 7:54 pm
by Anonymous User
Thanks guys! Knew I wasn't imagining it lol.
Re: Taboo to reach out to current clerks?
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 9:12 pm
by Anonymous User
I would add the caveat that if the clerk is a close friend or something then it would be weird to not reach out.
Re: Taboo to reach out to current clerks?
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 9:49 pm
by Anonymous User
I think "don't reach out to current clerks" really just means "do not cold email current clerks." When I applied for my clerkship, I talked to a friend who was clerking for the judge at the time. Did not seem taboo or weird.
Re: Taboo to reach out to current clerks?
Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 12:11 am
by Anonymous User
I think it’s fine if you know them, though I would caveat it with something like “I understand it might be weird since you’re currently clerking and am totally fine if you don’t feel comfortable chatting about the clerkship.” But if you’re reaching out cold, then think hard about contacting current clerks. That said, I definitely talked to people I didn’t know but who went to my law school while I was clerking. So I don’t think it’s a hard-and-fast taboo. Use your best judgment on whether you think the person will get weirded out by being contacted by you