Post-clerkship opportunities in Chicago
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:10 am
I have one more year to go in a two year clerkship at a not competitive district (think Iowa, Mississippi, something like that). Do not have a biglaw job to go back to.
I want to do litigation in Chicago and am barred in Illinois, but am feeling a bit iffy on my chances. My credentials are pretty great until you look at my transcript: UChicago, law review board, government experience with a niche subject matter focus, etc., but my grades are dead-on median and I've been hearing some nasty things about the market for new lit associates in Chicago.
Not sure which direction I should take. I really want to avoid another clerking a second time because I kinda doubt 7th Circuit is in the cards and I really want to settle down somewhere. Can I safely count on having some market-paying options litigating in Chicago or do I need to search more broadly?
I want to do litigation in Chicago and am barred in Illinois, but am feeling a bit iffy on my chances. My credentials are pretty great until you look at my transcript: UChicago, law review board, government experience with a niche subject matter focus, etc., but my grades are dead-on median and I've been hearing some nasty things about the market for new lit associates in Chicago.
Not sure which direction I should take. I really want to avoid another clerking a second time because I kinda doubt 7th Circuit is in the cards and I really want to settle down somewhere. Can I safely count on having some market-paying options litigating in Chicago or do I need to search more broadly?