Where do people go after an A3 Clerkship? Forum

[Cartman]

Hey folks,

Just out of sheer curiosity, where do grads who get an A3 Clerkship end up doing after the clerkship ends? Do many look for the AG Honor's program? Go into private practice? The public sector? Academia?

Wondering what sorts of doors such a prestigious positions opens...

[NinerFan]

You answered your own question. It's a prestigious position and it makes the holder a more attractive candidate, in general. Some clerk more, some go into private practice, some go into academia.... there's no set path.

The clerkship -> biglaw path is popular because many firms like hiring clerks and give them bonuses for having clerked.

[Perdevise]

I am curious about clerking as well. Does clerking help for PI jobs? I know clerkships are competitive, but what is the selection process like? Is it grades only, or are there interviews as well?

[ahduth]

A3 bonuses can be bigger - I think Supreme Court bonuses hit 250k?

[Strange]

This may be a dumb question, but if you get an offer as a clerk but ultimately want to work in a private practice, are you taking a risk by taking the clerkship? What happens if once its over you cant find a biglaw gig?
Or is that like guaranteed?

[ToTransferOrNot]

This may be a dumb question, but if you get an offer as a clerk but ultimately want to work in a private practice, are you taking a risk by taking the clerkship? What happens if once its over you cant find a biglaw gig?
Or is that like guaranteed?

If you already worked at a firm your 2L summer, most firms will let you defer (and pay you a $50k signing bonus at the end of your clerkship, to boot). Plus, firms really do try fairly hard to hire A3 clerks (and if you can get the gig, you already are competitive for firms based on your grades). Nothing is ever certain in life, but the chances of you clerking and then not finding a firm offer are fairly low. (2008-2009 was a harsh exception to this because of the way biglaw firms destroyed the class of 2009/2010).

[Perdevise]

I am curious about clerking as well. Does clerking help for PI jobs? I know clerkships are competitive, but what is the selection process like? Is it grades only, or are there interviews as well?

Yes, Art. III clerkships can help for PI jobs. Many clerks go on to work in the DOJ Honors program, for state & federal agencies, nonprofits, etc. And of course many go into biglaw as well. In major markets, the bonus for a one-year Art. III clerkship is $50,000, with some firms paying $70,000 for two years.

On the process of securing a clerkship, see http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=146252.

Thanks GTL Rev.