2024-2025 post clerkship hiring Forum

[Anonymous User]

Any movement yet?

[Anonymous User]

I have a Cravath offer (applied a few weeks ago) but wonder if it makes sense to wait for Susman, WLRK, etc. But from what I’ve heard, those firms won’t start interviewing candidates until January.

I assume reneging on a Cravath offer is a no-go even if I get lucky with Susman, but yeah - that’s my update.

[Anonymous User]

(duplicate comment deleted)

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear anything about the standard V10 firms besides Cravath increasing their clerkship bonus past 50/70? I.e., Paul Weiss, DPW, S&C, STB, etc..

[Anonymous User]

I know people who have interviewed with Susman, MTO, and Cravath for next fall.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear anything about the standard V10 firms besides Cravath increasing their clerkship bonus past 50/70? I.e., Paul Weiss, DPW, S&C, STB, etc..

Not the v10 I’m headed to

[Anonymous User]

If I submitted apps last week and this week, I shouldn’t expect to hear anything until 2025, right?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear anything about the standard V10 firms besides Cravath increasing their clerkship bonus past 50/70? I.e., Paul Weiss, DPW, S&C, STB, etc..

Not the v10 I’m headed to

What they give you? 50/70?

[Anonymous User]

DPW raised their bonus to 75/100

[Anonymous User]

DPW raised their bonus to 75/100

According to their website though it is still 50/70?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had any movement from any of the lit boutiques? e.g., zuckerman, w&c, HH, etc?

[Anonymous User]

Landed an SG interview this morning. Just want to add a data point.

[Anonymous User]

How screwed am I if I haven't started applying yet? Current double-clerk coming off a COA in the fall, with a year or two of biglaw before that.

Obviously, I am getting my apps ready now but maybe if I am already kind of screwed it'll be a good admonition for future clerks!

[Anonymous User]

How screwed am I if I haven't started applying yet? Current double-clerk coming off a COA in the fall, with a year or two of biglaw before that.

Obviously, I am getting my apps ready now but maybe if I am already kind of screwed it'll be a good admonition for future clerks!

If you're screwed, I am also screwed (same details and timing, except I have a ding from a hail mary app to SG). Last year my coclerk was interviewing in Mar/Apr so I think we are fine. Coclerk went to an above-market botique in Cali. NYC and DC move a bit faster. Worst case, we go back to our old firms.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard about movement from non-boutique big law firms?

[Anonymous User]

Do biglaw firms/lit boutiques typically do advances when you're coming off a clerkship? Like to help you get a new apartment, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Do biglaw firms/lit boutiques typically do advances when you're coming off a clerkship? Like to help you get a new apartment, etc.

Kellogg gives the first installment 2-3 months before you start.

[Anonymous User]

Do biglaw firms/lit boutiques typically do advances when you're coming off a clerkship? Like to help you get a new apartment, etc.

Kellogg gives the first installment 2-3 months before you start.

Thanks. What about biglaw firms in the V10, V20, etc? Kellogg would be cool but I'm not holding my breath.

[jhchughes]

Thoughts on reneging on a signed offer to return to firm you summered at? Made the mistake of accepting return offer before starting my clerkship, and now thinking of applying to boutiques instead--or at least a big firm closer to matching the 100-125k clerk bonus.

From a practical standpoint, if the old firm wanted to claw back bar exam fees, etc, I'm assuming the new firm would step in to cover them?

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on reneging on a signed offer to return to firm you summered at? Made the mistake of accepting return offer before starting my clerkship, and now thinking of applying to boutiques instead--or at least a big firm closer to matching the 100-125k clerk bonus.

From a practical standpoint, if the old firm wanted to claw back bar exam fees, etc, I'm assuming the new firm would step in to cover them?

I reneged in a similar position, but I went to the federal government post-clerkship. It was the best decision I could have made and I don’t feel any remorse—the firm would have dumped me if it needed to make cuts, just like any law firm would. We’re expendable to them. You need to look out for yourself first. If you’re just in a standard BL market, then I wouldn’t think twice about at least applying around and seeing what you land.

(I suppose if you’re in a smaller, insular market, then some people might tell you not to renege to avoid burning any bridges. But I did this in a smaller market and couldn’t be happier with my decision. It doesn’t seem to have affected my career trajectory at all.)

[CanadianWolf]

Thoughts on reneging on a signed offer to return to firm you summered at? Made the mistake of accepting return offer before starting my clerkship, and now thinking of applying to boutiques instead--or at least a big firm closer to matching the 100-125k clerk bonus.

From a practical standpoint, if the old firm wanted to claw back bar exam fees, etc, I'm assuming the new firm would step in to cover them?

I reneged in a similar position, but I went to the federal government post-clerkship. It was the best decision I could have made and I don’t feel any remorse—the firm would have dumped me if it needed to make cuts, just like any law firm would. We’re expendable to them. You need to look out for yourself first. If you’re just in a standard BL market, then I wouldn’t think twice about at least applying around and seeing what you land.

(I suppose if you’re in a smaller, insular market, then some people might tell you not to renege to avoid burning any bridges. But I did this in a smaller market and couldn’t be happier with my decision. It doesn’t seem to have affected my career trajectory at all.)

[Anonymous User]

How screwed am I if I haven't started applying yet? Current double-clerk coming off a COA in the fall, with a year or two of biglaw before that.

Obviously, I am getting my apps ready now but maybe if I am already kind of screwed it'll be a good admonition for future clerks!

If you're screwed, I am also screwed (same details and timing, except I have a ding from a hail mary app to SG). Last year my coclerk was interviewing in Mar/Apr so I think we are fine. Coclerk went to an above-market botique in Cali. NYC and DC move a bit faster. Worst case, we go back to our old firms.

OP here. Happy to report that interviews are starting to trickle in, although not from shiny boutiques (might have missed the boat with the usual suspects there, although I'm sure other factors may be at play). Future clerks -- make your moves early!

[Anonymous User]

As a data point, just got a ding from Williams & Connolly DC.

[Anonymous User]

As a data point, just got a ding from Williams & Connolly DC.

Sorry to hear that. When'd you apply?

[Anonymous User]

I’ve been rejected by Kirkland (Chicago) after interviewing and rejected by DLA Piper without an interview.