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Check this thread out, as well, which is partially responsive to the thread prompt in this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&t=203282

FWIW, I've heard the same things as the anonymous poster who posted this:

I have heard great things about the quality of life with some of the young GWB appointees, Judges Gorsuch, Kethledge, and Colloton.

Lawquacious wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Sloviter (3rd) and Smith (EDVa) are two that I have consistently heard negative things about.

Positive things: Almost all of the 9th Cir. judges in Southern Cal (must be the weather) have reputations as thoughtful judges, though some have a reputation for having huge expectations. Kozinski is rumored to openly pit clerks against each other in an effort to get more out of them, but my guess is if you have a shot at Kozinski, you don't really care about that kind of work environment and view the opportunity as worth the demands.

Kozinski work hours: Weekdays 9:30 am - 1:30 am, with a 2 hour break for dinner, business formal attire; Weekends 10-12 am - 1:30 am. No holidays, you work 365 days a year, including Christmas, New Years, etc. Kozinski's placement power in the SCT is also not as strong as when O'Connor was on the court. If you want a feeder judge there are probably at least a dozen on the same level with a more humane work experience.

A former clerk for a different judge in the 9th once told me that Kozinski says he doesn't interview for one-year clerk terms, he interviews for 365-day clerk terms. My friend then added that to be more honest, Kozinski should say he interviews for 365 days & nights.

Wow.

I think Kozinkski himself states that he offers only two-year clerkships--though to be completed in one year's time.

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I heard that, too. In other words, there's far from a guarantee that he'll give you a recommendation for SCOTUS. I'm sure no other feeder judge would ever guarantee a recommendation, either, but considering the work a Kozinski clerk has to put in, it's something to think about.

Anonymous User wrote:I heard that, too. In other words, there's far from a guarantee that he'll give you a recommendation for SCOTUS. I'm sure no other feeder judge would ever guarantee a recommendation, either, but considering the work a Kozinski clerk has to put in, it's something to think about.

I can't fathom why someone would work for him rather than someone with similar stats who's a trifle more humane.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I heard that, too. In other words, there's far from a guarantee that he'll give you a recommendation for SCOTUS. I'm sure no other feeder judge would ever guarantee a recommendation, either, but considering the work a Kozinski clerk has to put in, it's something to think about.

I can't fathom why someone would work for him rather than someone with similar stats who's a trifle more humane.

A lot of people who have Kozinski-ballpark application profiles do choose to clerk for other judges who are more humane. The thing is, it's hard to turn down such a prestigious judge if that's your first offer, which it almost always is, given that he generally hires in Fall or early Spring, before other judges.

He does appear to hire right out of the womb.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I heard that, too. In other words, there's far from a guarantee that he'll give you a recommendation for SCOTUS. I'm sure no other feeder judge would ever guarantee a recommendation, either, but considering the work a Kozinski clerk has to put in, it's something to think about.

I can't fathom why someone would work for him rather than someone with similar stats who's a trifle more humane.

A lot of people who have Kozinski-ballpark application profiles do choose to clerk for other judges who are more humane. The thing is, it's hard to turn down such a prestigious judge if that's your first offer, which it almost always is, given that he generally hires in Fall or early Spring, before other judges.

Yeah, I know someone who got an interview with him, accepted it reluctantly, then got an interview with another (lesser but on the rise) feeder judge. He cancelled on Judge K., got the other one, and lived happily ever after.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I heard that, too. In other words, there's far from a guarantee that he'll give you a recommendation for SCOTUS. I'm sure no other feeder judge would ever guarantee a recommendation, either, but considering the work a Kozinski clerk has to put in, it's something to think about.

I can't fathom why someone would work for him rather than someone with similar stats who's a trifle more humane.

A lot of people who have Kozinski-ballpark application profiles do choose to clerk for other judges who are more humane. The thing is, it's hard to turn down such a prestigious judge if that's your first offer, which it almost always is, given that he generally hires in Fall or early Spring, before other judges.

Yeah, I know someone who got an interview with him, accepted it reluctantly, then got an interview with another (lesser but on the rise) feeder judge. He cancelled on Judge K., got the other one, and lived happily ever after.

Yeah, I think that is definitely a good call. He's undoubtedly a very prestigious judge, but for a lot of people, especially those quality candidates, it's just not worth it. Do you mind sharing who the other judge was? Or give a ballpark on what you mean by "lesser but on the rise"?

Very similar situation here. School asked me if I wanted to apply to him, I said no, and then got a gig with a "lesser" COA judge who has a reputation for being wonderful to work for. Now I'm looking forward to my year instead of being scared about it.

I know several Kozinski clerks who love him and had a great time. I am sure it can be a great experience - but I really want to enjoy that clerkship year. (And of course, I have no idea if I ever would have actually gotten an interview in the first place).

The Kozinski rumors were born out: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/na ... adca4f00cc

Judge White in the Sixth is a "lovely person" from multiple accounts.

Judge McKeague is demanding and formal with his clerks, but goes to bat for them.

Also heard good things about Judge Rogers (more generally) from a few prior clerks.

Have heard rumors that judge clay in the sixth circuit is incredibly difficult to work for but can't confirm. Anyone have any insight?

I have no more information than you but have heard same. Perhaps from same source

Holmes on the 10th is known to make clerks work long hours similar to biglaw, though not like Kozinski. He doesn't take on a mentor role. Clerks don't seem satisfied during or after.

Colloton on the 8th is laid-back; clerks are known to travel out of Iowa on weekends.

Jerry Smith on the 5th is reportedly one of the best clerkships out there. Huge mentor; lots of freedom; biz casual; very strong clerkship network.

E. Carnes on the 11th makes his clerks work hard but is dedicated to improving their writing. Not much work on weekends.

Wilkinson is, like Smith, a great clerkship for the same reasons.

Browning in D NM reportedly let's clerks take Sunday afternoon off and that is it.

Smith in ED Va has reputation for being verbally abusive and erratic.

Bybee on 9th is known for being great boss. Very interested in mentoring.

Have heard that Srinivisan works clerks very hard. (Kozinski level time commitment.) No idea about temperment.

Anonymous User wrote:Holmes on the 10th is known to make clerks work long hours similar to biglaw, though not like Kozinski. He doesn't take on a mentor role. Clerks don't seem satisfied during or after.

Colloton on the 8th is laid-back; clerks are known to travel out of Iowa on weekends.

Jerry Smith on the 5th is reportedly one of the best clerkships out there. Huge mentor; lots of freedom; biz casual; very strong clerkship network.

E. Carnes on the 11th makes his clerks work hard but is dedicated to improving their writing. Not much work on weekends.

Wilkinson is, like Smith, a great clerkship for the same reasons.

Unless you're a Holmes alum I have to push back. I know some pretty well and while they worked hard they seemed to think he was a good boss and person.

Anonymous User wrote:Browning in D NM reportedly let's clerks take Sunday afternoon off and that is it.

Smith in ED Va has reputation for being verbally abusive and erratic.

Bybee on 9th is known for being great boss. Very interested in mentoring.

Have heard that Srinivisan works clerks very hard. (Kozinski level time commitment.) No idea about temperment.

That doesn't surprise me after reading his opinions. They're so unnecessarily long.

Anonymous User wrote:Colloton on the 8th is laid-back; clerks are known to travel out of Iowa on weekends.

One of my friends clerked for Colloton and they said he was decidedly *not* laid-back.

Anonymous User wrote:Judge White in the Sixth is a "lovely person" from multiple accounts.

Judge McKeague is demanding and formal with his clerks, but goes to bat for them.

Also heard good things about Judge Rogers (more generally) from a few prior clerks.

Can’t speak to Judge white as a boss but her reputation on the circuit was one of extreme delay (at least when I was there). Could be good or frustrating as a clerk. Seconded on mckeague who seems like quite the curmudgeon. Probably the same on Rogers - though I think he’s probably a rigorous editor. More sixth: gibbons seems like a fun boss but have heard she can be absent from the work these days. Daughtrey seems very involved. Moore too. Donald travels a ton for extrajudicial stuff. Gilman apparently a fun boss even if he’s not as active a Judge. Think everyone knows about kethledge Sutton and thapar.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Judge White in the Sixth is a "lovely person" from multiple accounts.

Judge McKeague is demanding and formal with his clerks, but goes to bat for them.

Also heard good things about Judge Rogers (more generally) from a few prior clerks.

Can’t speak to Judge white as a boss but her reputation on the circuit was one of extreme delay (at least when I was there). Could be good or frustrating as a clerk. Seconded on mckeague who seems like quite the curmudgeon. Probably the same on Rogers - though I think he’s probably a rigorous editor. More sixth: gibbons seems like a fun boss but have heard she can be absent from the work these days. Daughtrey seems very involved. Moore too. Donald travels a ton for extrajudicial stuff. Gilman apparently a fun boss even if he’s not as active a Judge. Think everyone knows about kethledge Sutton and thapar.

Any insight on senior judges in the sixth? Specifically Merritt, Boggs, Siler?

Anonymous User wrote:Any insight on senior judges in the sixth? Specifically Merritt, Boggs, Siler?

Merritt and Siler are both around 82 years old, so they are relatively less active. Merritt is in a far better location (Nashville, TN vs. London, KY), but Siler sits by designation quite a bit (mostly in the 11th, I think, and sometimes as a trial judge). I think you could learn a lot from Siler--he was a US attorney, and a district court judge before joining the court of appeals (plus his father was a judge and congressman). While I'm only familiar with Boggs as an active judge, I think he would be great to clerk for, and probably about as active as an active judge.

Anonymous User wrote: E. Carnes on the 11th makes his clerks work hard but is dedicated to improving their writing. Not much work on weekends.

Interviewed with Carnes, and I can confirm that this is what I was told by his current clerks. I would agree that he is dedicated to improving his clerks' writing--part of my interviewing involved making stylistic edits to a writing sample. I was highly impressed with the care he took to review the writing sample and the suggestions he made. I think he would be demanding but a great person to learn from.

Boggs famously uses (or used to use) a test of random knowledge on his clerk applicants. IIRC, he would basically pub-quiz you on random stuff to see how well-read/well-rounded/pop-culture-literate you were.

Any thoughts on 4th Circuit? In particular, Niemeyer, Motz, and Harris?