Leaving Clerkship Early? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have two months left of a two-year district court clerkship and I am so, so miserable. My judge has been really cruel to me and I'm having mental breakdowns and crying just about daily. I have a job lined up in the same city in the fall, and on one hand am worried about burning bridges, but also am truly at the end of my rope. My judge has had at least eight clerks quit their terms early, so I don't think I'm the problem.

Would it be crazy to try to push my end date up by a few weeks? Is there any excuse that could sound plausible? It feels crazy quitting when I'm so close but I want to quit so badly.

[Crazysnackaroo]

I think a couple weeks is unlikely to burn bridges. You can just tell your judge you've got some family stuff to attend to before you wrap up everything and start your job and you'd appreciate a couple weeks extra to take care of it. Should be okay. Just don't try for like 2 months early. I'd say it's fine to try earlier then a few weeks, but I think given you'll be in the same city I wouldn't try to push the envelope too much. Really sorry about your exp though, that's really crappy.

[Anonymous User]

I quit my clerkship seven months early and it is the best thing I ever did. If you have other references, and especially if you have a job lined up, leave and never look back.

[Anonymous User]

Just want to wish you well. I had a tough clerkship and wanted to quit at times but ultimately stuck through it. I'm glad that I did. I know it feels so bad now, but I am sure you can make sixty days even if it feels impossible. Rooting for you no matter what—you did well enough in law school to get a clerkship, you got a job after, it is going to be okay and your career will be just fine.