Top Law Schools

What is the consensus on partners calling chambers to support an alum's application? Should this only be done if the partner knows the judge? Or is it beneficial either way to get an app out of the pile?

In my experience in chambers, if the partner knows the judge, the judge would weigh that (though if recommended by a known partner the app is likely already "out of the pile"). If there is no connection, we would just note on the app "X also called to offer a recommendation."

What if I've already interviewed and am waiting on the Judge's decision? Same calculus?

The common wisdom seems to be that calls are good for getting you out of the big pile into the smaller pile—getting an interview. Once you've been interviewed, unless it was someone the judge really had a relationship with, I can't imagine it moving the needle much. The judge and his clerks already have all the most relevant information.