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I have a district court clerkship lined up from a year from now. How intense should I expect my first year to be? At a pretty large litigation “boutique” (it’s growing beyond the size of a boutique at this point) and I’m not sure if they’re going to grind me for the whole year, for it to be a somewhat chill year, or somewhere in between where I should expect some work to taper shortly before I leave for my clerkship.

What is the appropriate exit date between my clerkship and the firm? Can I leave with a month in between? Or should it be a week or two?

If I choose to return, how negotiable is the return date?

thanks all for your help