2017-2018 Clerkship Application Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

Interviewed about a month ago. Have not heard back. Can I call chambers, or should I just keep on firing out apps elsewhere and twiddle fingers?

[Manali]

Is it too late for state supreme courts?

[Anonymous User]

It depends. I was hired by an SSC for 18-19 already.

[Anonymous User]

Is it too late for state supreme courts?

It depends, but NJ, NY, CT, and NH are still open.

[wetalkinboutpractice]

Once again reminded of how miserable most people on this site are. Just trying to provide some encouragement. My mistake! Good luck on the clerkship search all!

Though, anon, your analysis is on point: how quickly you receive an offer is a very good indicator of whether you'll land the clerkship. Mostly because once you receive an offer all you have to do is accept. So thank you for that.

T14 2L who just landed on 2/9/DC after almost a year of complete radio silence. No district experience. Keep hoping against hope!

How often did you send out apps? All throughout the year, or was that a year of waiting from the last app sent and you still got tapped?

For this particular clerkship, I submitted the application in September of last year

LOL at 7 months or less being "almost a year"

LOL also at starting the "waiting time" from the moment you submitted. Who does that?

Uhh, that seems pretty normal. Starting from interview time is sort of meaningless since the vast majority of judges will try to respond quickly after taking the time to interview you

Except everyone knows that the time between when you submit and receive an interview has little to no bearing on your likelihood of getting the clerkship. The majority of applicants just sit there in a pile until the judge or clerk has reason to pull your application. On the other hand, how quickly you get the offer after your interview generally is a very good indication of your likelihood of securing the clerkship. Hence why when people say "don't lose hope," they're generally referring to the time between interview and offer, not submission and interview invite.

[Jchance]

^I think how quickly you receive an interview from the time you submitted your app can be a good indicator of how strong of a candidate you are in term of whether you'd get an offer from an interview. Obviously, if you waited 2 months or more to receive an interview, that's no indicator as you were probably just sitting in a pile. But if you waited a few hours (OSCAR submission)/same day to within a week/two weeks can be a good indicator that your app was reviewed then selected for an interview right away.

[wetalkinboutpractice]

I wholeheartedly agree. My point was that, even if you are sitting in a pile for 7 months, there is still a chance you will receive an interview and land a spot. So you should keep a bright outlook. I suppose most here are more confident than I was -- that they just know they're sitting in a pile waiting to be plucked when the time comes. The reality is that most people sit in that pile and never get pulled. So, yes, the more time that passes as judges interview other candidates, the less likely it becomes you will even receive an interview.

^I think how quickly you receive an interview from the time you submitted your app can be a good indicator of how strong of a candidate you are in term of whether you'd get an offer from an interview. Obviously, if you waited 2 months or more to receive an interview, that's no indicator as you were probably just sitting in a pile. But if you waited a few hours (OSCAR submission)/same day to within a week/two weeks can be a good indicator that your app was reviewed then selected for an interview right away.

[Anonymous User]

this could be a dumb dumb question, but i honestly don't know the answer and don't know who to ask.

If I receive a clerkship, will my summer firm still "offer" me (assuming I would be offered anyway--i know not a great assumption, but they are 100%)? Or just generally how does that work? I actually don't know

[emkay625]

this could be a dumb dumb question, but i honestly don't know the answer and don't know who to ask.

If I receive a clerkship, will my summer firm still "offer" me (assuming I would be offered anyway--i know not a great assumption, but they are 100%)? Or just generally how does that work? I actually don't know

It depends on the policy of your individual judge. Some judges will let you accept offers before you start clerking and others will not. Firms will honor whatever your judge's policy is.

[deuceindc]

this could be a dumb dumb question, but i honestly don't know the answer and don't know who to ask.

If I receive a clerkship, will my summer firm still "offer" me (assuming I would be offered anyway--i know not a great assumption, but they are 100%)? Or just generally how does that work? I actually don't know

It depends on the policy of your individual judge. Some judges will let you accept offers before you start clerking and others will not. Firms will honor whatever your judge's policy is.

Do some judges let you accept before you start? My judge allows clerks to leave offers open, but we can't accept until after the clerkship ends. Other judges don't even let their clerks keep offers open.

That's all assuming your firm actually lets you defer your offer for a year. If you're at a major-market boutique or a smaller-market general firm, they might not be able/willing to offer that far in advance, even if the judge lets you.

If you accept an offer, you should find out your judge's policy and then let your firm know so that they can plan accordingly.

[emkay625]

this could be a dumb dumb question, but i honestly don't know the answer and don't know who to ask.

If I receive a clerkship, will my summer firm still "offer" me (assuming I would be offered anyway--i know not a great assumption, but they are 100%)? Or just generally how does that work? I actually don't know

It depends on the policy of your individual judge. Some judges will let you accept offers before you start clerking and others will not. Firms will honor whatever your judge's policy is.

Do some judges let you accept before you start? My judge allows clerks to leave offers open, but we can't accept until after the clerkship ends. Other judges don't even let their clerks keep offers open.

That's all assuming your firm actually lets you defer your offer for a year. If you're at a major-market boutique or a smaller-market general firm, they might not be able/willing to offer that far in advance, even if the judge lets you.

If you accept an offer, you should find out your judge's policy and then let your firm know so that they can plan accordingly.

My judge let me accept before I started. (In fact, it was his preference, as this meant I wouldn't be taking time off later for interviews/job search.)

[rhododactylos]

Is it too late for state supreme courts?

MA doesn't even open its application until May 31.

[Anonymous User]

Has Hall (d conn) made offers?

[Anonymous User]

It turns out there's a semi feeder on CA11 who's still hiring for 2017.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have info on DE Supreme Court?

[Anonymous User]

It turns out there's a semi feeder on CA11 who's still hiring for 2017.

Pryor tends to move slowly.

[lavarman84]

It turns out there's a semi feeder on CA11 who's still hiring for 2017.

Pryor tends to move slowly.

As I recall, Carnes wasn't full either a month or so ago. But I don't know if I'd call him a feeder although I think he's sent a clerk or two to SCOTUS.

The 11th, as a whole, on average tends to move slower.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have info on DE Supreme Court?

Heard a rumor they're done for 2017.

[Manali]

Is it too late for state supreme courts?

MA doesn't even open its application until May 31.

Thanks. Know anything about PA?

[nothingtosee]

If you get an email that's just "we have received your application" are you supposed to reply?

[WheninLaw]

If you get an email that's just "we have received your application" are you supposed to reply?

No

[Anonymous User]

anyone heard from DCCA judges (of the half that are still hiring)?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know if Vitaliano (EDNY) has started interviewing?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know the deal with Judge Fuentes (3d Cir.) in Newark? Did he hire without posting on oscar?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know if Azrack (EDNY) has interviewed for the 2016 spot?