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Trying to keep this relatively anonymous - anyone have the over/under for my clerkship odds? Clerkship office at my school is pretty unhelpful, and I've only somewhat recently have been on the clerkship path. Applying to a later clerkship start date (2027), and in the interim will be working as a public defender. Aiming for SDNY/EDNY district judges.

Top 5-10% (hard to estimate) at CCN
Not on law review, but on the crim related 2ndary journal
Strong PI background
good LORs
Veteran

Thanks!

It's certainly possible and worth applying. Really depends. I had slightly better stats than you, but struck out. Didn't have any profs calling for me and didn't have a unique or interesting background. i think with a lot of these districts you just need something extra. PD background may be that something "extra" for a lot of the Biden judges though.

OK great, thanks for the data point. I don't think I truly realized how competitive these judges are LOL. I'm open to applying to magistrates next year if I go bust this year, and may also expand my search to districts commutable from NYC.

mrpotatoe3045 wrote: ↑

Mon May 27, 2024 7:37 pm

OK great, thanks for the data point. I don't think I truly realized how competitive these judges are LOL. I'm open to applying to magistrates next year if I go bust this year, and may also expand my search to districts commutable from NYC.

Person you're replying to. I did get two interviews though, but no offers from them. Certainly someone in my position who was also a stellar interviwer probably could have landed something.

Edit: To be clear, I also know people with median grades who get these clerkships with connections or something special. it's all over the place. My central, central point is that I wouldn't rely on your grades to be the sole sufficient condition needed to get one.

Disclaimer — just a rando’s two depreciated cents, as I’m also currently applying, only synthesizing input from clerk friends and school/recommender advisors. Am several years out, for context.

Do you already have full-time PD/PI experience, or are you a 2024 grad? I think if the former, then you should very much shoot your shot, aggressively. The latter might buy you less credibility since it’s prospective, even though your goal start date’s years out, but still, I wouldn’t be surprised if you got bites once off-plan positions start appearing.

Unfortunately im a 2024 grad, so the employment is prospective. I actually was planning on applying next year so I could use my experience as better leverage, but the clerkship office pointed out how some judges were already posting positions and encouraged me to apply earlier. Is there any penalty for reapplying if I strike out this go around?

Unfortunately I'm a 2024 grad, so the experience is prospective. I was originally planning on applying next year to more effectively leverage the experience, but the clerkship office urged me to apply earlier since some judges were posting positions for the 2027 start date already. My internships are all in PD work too, but ofc that's not nearly as substantive.

Is there any penalty for re-applying if I strike out this year? If not, I feel a little more comfortable shooting my shot and seeing what happens, and then possibly readjusting next year.

I wouldn’t rule out attractive roles being posted on a more short-term basis. The past few months, there have been plenty of postings for even the next term. Just keep checking OSCAR through the winter if June doesn’t work out right away.

Don’t think there’s any penalty for re-applying in future cycles, unless individual judges keep some sort of deranged blacklist! My understanding is it’s just a lot of admin effort to manage applications, so no one has the time to micromanage stuff like that. Not unusual or unexpected to re-apply.

It’s in your school’s interest to keep working with you, especially because you have strong grades, and after the initial work on the letter is done, it’s not a big lift for your recommenders to just update the year. And after a while, you can/should add a LOR from your supervisor if you have a good relationship. If you strike out this time, focus on being really outstanding and being able to ask for a work LOR as soon as possible so that you can keep applying early next year. Really, even “striking out” on a timeline sort of loses its meaning the farther away from graduation you get.

Good luck!

Awesome -- thank you!!

Pretty sure you'll be ok, as a former SDNY clerk. That's a good resume that stands out. Obviously don't be complacent etc. etc.

Thank you for weighing in as well! One other question I had, should I be applying for only positions of my term start date (2027)? My take on the answer to this would be "yes", especially considering how far in advance it already is. Curious to hear people's thoughts!

mrpotatoe3045 wrote: ↑

Fri May 31, 2024 9:10 am

Thank you for weighing in as well! One other question I had, should I be applying for only positions of my term start date (2027)? My take on the answer to this would be "yes", especially considering how far in advance it already is. Curious to hear people's thoughts!

It's so competitive. Just apply to every term position open and also note on your cover letters that you are availabel for subsequent terms.

I made a 3 year commitment with my employer so unfortunately my start date is somewhat locked in. While not binding, I don't want to burn brides since the PD field is quite small. I have a feeling I won't see much movement until later when most judges start to post positions.

mrpotatoe3045 wrote: ↑

Fri May 31, 2024 9:27 am

I made a 3 year commitment with my employer so unfortunately my start date is somewhat locked in. While not binding, I don't want to burn brides since the PD field is quite small. I have a feeling I won't see much movement until later when most judges start to post positions.

Oh in that case then apply for every position post that 3 year commitment. Also consider noting that you will be working for them for minimum of 3 years off handedly in your cover letter. I.e. "after graduation I will be working for the PD for three years." It will show you're serious. Sometimes I see candidates who have dne PD work in law school and I'm unsure if this was an intern thing or an actual post-law school plan.

OK nice, that sounds like great advice especially with the cover letter. Thanks again everyone for all your input!!

Will chime in to add that you have the credentials and background to be a strong candidate. That doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed, but it does mean you’re about as compelling as anybody else, save a small few number of candidates.

The discussion of years out is a little puzzling to me though. Are there many judges hiring for the 2027 term already? I would expect hiring for 25-26 and 26-27 to be in full swing but with fewer judges looking that far out, even on SDNY.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri May 31, 2024 6:44 pm

Will chime in to add that you have the credentials and background to be a strong candidate. That doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed, but it does mean you’re about as compelling as anybody else, save a small few number of candidates.

The discussion of years out is a little puzzling to me though. Are there many judges hiring for the 2027 term already? I would expect hiring for 25-26 and 26-27 to be in full swing but with fewer judges looking that far out, even on SDNY.

Yeah there's not many posting for a term that far out - only really about 7 or so