Let's Talk 3rd Circuit! Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anybody else apply to Chung? Not sure what to expect timing-wise (understanding the app just closed yesterday and she is sitting next week). The position on OSCAR changed to expired and it says she’s not hiring, but I think that’s a function of the application window closing.

I applied but haven’t heard anything.

I also applied but haven’t heard. Has anyone heard of her moving on apps?

[Anonymous User]

Maybe we’re the only 3 who managed to apply in the 3 weeks the posting was available!

[Anonymous User]

What are folks thoughts on Kent Jordan? Is he hiring for 2025?

[Anonymous User]

What are folks thoughts on Kent Jordan? Is he hiring for 2025?

Not a KAJ clerk but friends with current and former clerks. Good chambers culture, excellent Delaware connections. If you want to live in DE / Philly long-term, a great choice. Is interested in patents even though he'll never see those cases on appeal; an application with a demonstrated interest in patent would be appealing, I'd think. No idea if he's open in 2025.

[Anonymous User]

Shwartz can be pretty intense, abrasive and demanding. Terrible hours -- 12 hour days are the norm. I'd avoid clerking for her.

Did you clerk for her or know someone who did?

[Anonymous User]

Shwartz can be pretty intense, abrasive and demanding. Terrible hours -- 12 hour days are the norm. I'd avoid clerking for her.

Did you clerk for her or know someone who did?

I've heard this to. She's in the rare genre of judges where former clerks have said negative things which is a huge red flag. Normally for me if a clerk is neutral or meh on a judge that is a red flag, but when the clerk tells me he did not have a good time I know to run away. Would only clerk for her if you desperately need a COA clerkship for some reason.

[Anonymous User]

has Krause started to interview for her listing from January? would loveee to know

[Anonymous User]

I've heard this to. She's in the rare genre of judges where former clerks have said negative things which is a huge red flag. Normally for me if a clerk is neutral or meh on a judge that is a red flag, but when the clerk tells me he did not have a good time I know to run away. Would only clerk for her if you desperately need a COA clerkship for some reason.

We sat with PS several times, and I did not hear anything like that. More precisely, we gathered she was demanding, comparable with CAK, but not unreasonably so. For instance, she used to expect that NPOs would be ready on the submission day, which required circulation weeks earlier. Her clerks tended to put in longer hours than the rest of us on the somewhat-languid Third. But never did I get "bad boss" vibes rather than "kinda demanding but eh" vibes.

Not saying you're wrong; maybe she's gotten worse or maybe the people I know had OK years regardless.

[Anonymous User]

I've heard this to. She's in the rare genre of judges where former clerks have said negative things which is a huge red flag. Normally for me if a clerk is neutral or meh on a judge that is a red flag, but when the clerk tells me he did not have a good time I know to run away. Would only clerk for her if you desperately need a COA clerkship for some reason.

We sat with PS several times, and I did not hear anything like that. More precisely, we gathered she was demanding, comparable with CAK, but not unreasonably so. For instance, she used to expect that NPOs would be ready on the submission day, which required circulation weeks earlier. Her clerks tended to put in longer hours than the rest of us on the somewhat-languid Third. But never did I get "bad boss" vibes rather than "kinda demanding but eh" vibes.

Not saying you're wrong; maybe she's gotten worse or maybe the people I know had OK years regardless.

Clerked on CA3, didn't sit with PS but agree with the above. My perception was that the clerks' hours were long because PS's process is exceptionally thorough for all cases, whether argued or submitted, published or unpublished opinion (e.g., at least in my year, they did full-blown bench memos for every case). Relatedly, it's not like the clerks are burning the midnight oil while PS coasts; she works quite hard herself. And despite the hours her clerks seemed to genuinely like and respect her. By no means a lifestyle clerkship, but don't think it's a categorical "avoid" like some of the other judges with multiple horror stories on TLS.

[Anonymous User]

I've heard this to. She's in the rare genre of judges where former clerks have said negative things which is a huge red flag. Normally for me if a clerk is neutral or meh on a judge that is a red flag, but when the clerk tells me he did not have a good time I know to run away. Would only clerk for her if you desperately need a COA clerkship for some reason.

We sat with PS several times, and I did not hear anything like that. More precisely, we gathered she was demanding, comparable with CAK, but not unreasonably so. For instance, she used to expect that NPOs would be ready on the submission day, which required circulation weeks earlier. Her clerks tended to put in longer hours than the rest of us on the somewhat-languid Third. But never did I get "bad boss" vibes rather than "kinda demanding but eh" vibes.

Not saying you're wrong; maybe she's gotten worse or maybe the people I know had OK years regardless.

Recent CA3 clerk. I have no idea what it's like in PS's chambers, but I find myself confused by this post because CAK and PS put out dramatically different work product. CAK's work is generally excellent and clearly had a lot of effort put into it. She also is one of the bigger contributors to Circuit citizenship stuff - PFRs, comments on circulated opinions, etc. Not so much with PS - in fact, I found sitting with her a difficult experience, largely because it seemed like her work was not good. She felt actively hostile to oral argument and committed to affirming every case through a NPO. There were a few cases where we took a different view on an issue and tried to discuss it with her; she just wouldn't engage with us. All that to say: if her clerks are locked in chambers, I'm not sure what they're doing there.

[Anonymous User]

Yes, they put out very different work product. PS seemed to aim for speedy resolutions, as you suggest; CAK swung for the fences. Both PS's clerks and CAK's clerks seemed to put in longer hours than the rest of us (and us=people with active circuit judges, not seniors). Perhaps both goals consumed a ton of time, albeit for different outcomes.

Agreed with PS seeming mildly hostile to oral argument. We suspected that she circulated NPOs so early to head off argument. We never had the privilege of being on a panel with both her and Ambro, but that must be a trip (Ambro seemed to love asking for argument).

[Anonymous User]

I've heard this to. She's in the rare genre of judges where former clerks have said negative things which is a huge red flag. Normally for me if a clerk is neutral or meh on a judge that is a red flag, but when the clerk tells me he did not have a good time I know to run away. Would only clerk for her if you desperately need a COA clerkship for some reason.

We sat with PS several times, and I did not hear anything like that. More precisely, we gathered she was demanding, comparable with CAK, but not unreasonably so. For instance, she used to expect that NPOs would be ready on the submission day, which required circulation weeks earlier. Her clerks tended to put in longer hours than the rest of us on the somewhat-languid Third. But never did I get "bad boss" vibes rather than "kinda demanding but eh" vibes.

Not saying you're wrong; maybe she's gotten worse or maybe the people I know had OK years regardless.

Recent CA3 clerk. I have no idea what it's like in PS's chambers, but I find myself confused by this post because CAK and PS put out dramatically different work product. CAK's work is generally excellent and clearly had a lot of effort put into it. She also is one of the bigger contributors to Circuit citizenship stuff - PFRs, comments on circulated opinions, etc. Not so much with PS - in fact, I found sitting with her a difficult experience, largely because it seemed like her work was not good. She felt actively hostile to oral argument and committed to affirming every case through a NPO. There were a few cases where we took a different view on an issue and tried to discuss it with her; she just wouldn't engage with us. All that to say: if her clerks are locked in chambers, I'm not sure what they're doing there.

Another former CA3 clerk here: they do full bench memos on every case, even NPO affirms.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know what kind of grades are needed for Judge Wolson EDPA/ general hiring preferences?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Phipps and what kind of grades are needed? Does he hire from t6? (penn/nyu)

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Phipps and what kind of grades are needed? Does he hire from t6? (penn/nyu)

Yes he hires at NYU I know one person who interviewed with magna grades. Said person wasn't fed soc. No idea re Penn.

[thegamer123]

Anyone know anything about Phipps and what kind of grades are needed? Does he hire from t6? (penn/nyu)

Yes he hires at NYU I know one person who interviewed with magna grades. Said person wasn't fed soc. No idea re Penn.

Any kind of special reference? Or just submitted with high grades?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about Phipps and what kind of grades are needed? Does he hire from t6? (penn/nyu)

Yes he hires at NYU I know one person who interviewed with magna grades. Said person wasn't fed soc. No idea re Penn.

Any kind of special reference? Or just submitted with high grades?

No idea. Highly doubt this person had a personal connection. He didn't get it in though, just interviewed.

[Anonymous User]

Has Fuentes retired or gone inactive? He hasn't hired yet for 2024 and the CA3 calendar shows no sittings for months.

[Anonymous User]

He usually hires very close to the start date and generally takes current district clerks.