Clerks Taking Questions Forum

[Anonymous User]

If I'm applying for a district court late. I.e, 4+ years after graduating what should my LOR breakdown be. Two employers and one professor I can maybe wrangle up?

[Anonymous User]

If I'm applying for a district court late. I.e, 4+ years after graduating what should my LOR breakdown be. Two employers and one professor I can maybe wrangle up?

I’m ALWAYS a proponent of whatever is the strongest collection. Judges by and large are looking for people who can do the work and fit, so just make sure whatever breakdown you have can help paint that picture. my letters for my current clerkship and interviews often did not perfectly align with what was requested, and Im straight out. You’ll have more leeway.

[Anonymous User]

If I've accepted a COA clerkship for a few years out (say 2027-2028), should I update my applications to clerkships with 2025/2026 starts? It doesn't really feel relevant since it would be after the ones I'm still applying to, but I also feel like it might get my application noticed more easily, especially for district court clerkships in the same circuit. What's the proper procedure?

[Anonymous User]

If I've accepted a COA clerkship for a few years out (say 2027-2028), should I update my applications to clerkships with 2025/2026 starts? It doesn't really feel relevant since it would be after the ones I'm still applying to, but I also feel like it might get my application noticed more easily, especially for district court clerkships in the same circuit. What's the proper procedure?

Yes update the apps. The Circuit acceptance serves as a "vouch" for you.

[Anonymous User]

Definitely update

[Anonymous User]

When do LORs go stale if ever. I've graduated so nothing new for the Professor to add after a year besides like hey this guy got one year older.

[Anonymous User]

When do LORs go stale if ever. I've graduated so nothing new for the Professor to add after a year besides like hey this guy got one year older.

If you've been out a couple years it might be worth asking if the professor could have their assistant re-date the letter. But judges hiring alumni candidates obviously expect that any academic reference will be several years old.

[Anonymous User]

When do LORs go stale if ever. I've graduated so nothing new for the Professor to add after a year besides like hey this guy got one year older.

If you've been out a couple years it might be worth asking if the professor could have their assistant re-date the letter. But judges hiring alumni candidates obviously expect that any academic reference will be several years old.

Oh interesting, yeah I'll check on that. How often should i be asking Professors to re-date letters. Obviously a 10-year old letter would be a red flag, but would a one or two year old letter be that much of a red flag. I'm not the best candidate so I'm buckling in for a long and continuous application cycle.

[Anonymous User]

When do LORs go stale if ever. I've graduated so nothing new for the Professor to add after a year besides like hey this guy got one year older.

If you've been out a couple years it might be worth asking if the professor could have their assistant re-date the letter. But judges hiring alumni candidates obviously expect that any academic reference will be several years old.

Oh interesting, yeah I'll check on that. How often should i be asking Professors to re-date letters. Obviously a 10-year old letter would be a red flag, but would a one or two year old letter be that much of a red flag. I'm not the best candidate so I'm buckling in for a long and continuous application cycle.

My schools forces our recommenders to re-date the letter yearly.

[Anonymous User]

Comment on my stats? Would prefer COA but maybe not likely.

- T14
- Sec. Journal
- Top 15%/Cum Laude
- Good grades from undergrad
- Prior internships with district judges
- Good letters of rec but maybe a bit generic/short
- 2 yrs working at a V15 firm (litigation)

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Comment on my stats? Would prefer COA but maybe not likely.

- T14
- Sec. Journal
- Top 15%/Cum Laude
- Good grades from undergrad
- Prior internships with district judges
- Good letters of rec but maybe a bit generic/short
- 2 yrs working at a V15 firm (litigation)

Thanks!

Any georgraphic constrains?