Law Clerks

Any tips on how to approach an intern who was unprofessional and ticked off your judge? Is it worth having that conversation, or do we just let the intern crash and burn?

Has anyone clerked as a 4th or 5th year? What was your experience like looking for firms after the clerkship? Would love intel on bonus, class year cut/boost, etc.

I recieved an offer to work for the Ministry of the Attorney General as a court and client services representative. It's a contact position, which isn't surprising to me, but there are no guaranteed… more

Hello. Can anyone help me with Newmarket procedure? Served with Urgent motion materials. No return date.

Is the procedure to wait for an endorsement granting the urgent motion, and a date and then serve responding materials… more

Clerks, particularly in competitive districts, what have you learned about the application process that you wish you had known when applying? Any tips?

When to start applying for post clerkship jobs? Career services says things start around now. If I wait a few months will I be late?

It's been 5 months into my clerkship, but judge says everything I do is still unclear or wrong. I guess I shouldn't expect my judge to be a reference.

Do you guys ever just feed the briefs into copilot and ask it which side should win?

Are all circuit clerks akward and weird or did I just get stuck with 3 hardos? Lol

How do you handle getting writing samples for post clerkship job apps? Appropriate to ask your old firm if you can send a writing sample of something you worked on there?

Anyone have any insight on how to successfully land a district clerkship after a magistrate one? I’m in a competitive district (DDC/NDCA/SDNY/EDNY) with a well respected and well connected magistrate … more

How much do firms care about grades for post clerkship recruiting? I’ve secured a clerkship at a specialized state business court and was on the Law Review at my t20 school. If I have a below median (… more

Possible to use a staff attorney clerkship on COA to pivot to a term clerk position with a judge on that court? Have done a district court clerkship also

Did y’all get admitted to the district and/or circuit where you clerked before the end of the clerkship?

If I was let go from a prior law job for low hours (currently fully employed) will this make getting a clerkship impossible? I assume they check prior employers before extending an offer?

If you turn down a clerkship interview will judges “blacklist” you in their district? I know turning down an offer is a huge no-no

Potential downsides to leaving a 2 year staff attorney clerkship earlier, around the one year mark? If for a term clerkship? Guessing I may burn that bridge of returning to that office

My clerkship term is done in 8 months (April 2026). I have a standing offer from a boutique, and some large firms are telling its too far out for them know their needs. I don’t wanna leave the offerin… more

Anyone take a nice long (like 4-6 month) vacation to do a passion project prior to your clerkship? (For me would be learning Chinese). Meaning dipping out of a biglaw firm you knew you weren’t going b… more

For those who went to big law after a clerkship, did you apply online or submit materials to that firms hiring contacts?

What are the top litigation boutiques in LA for those leaving federal clerkships?

Current and former clerks: real talk. Do you actually read through all of your OSCAR submissions? With innumerable applicants that probably look nearly identical, how do you decide who to give intervi… more

Are there any ethics issues with a firm leaving a spot open for you when you get back from clerking?

Is it true that if a judge offers you an interview, you need to be prepared to accept? Or is this lore? I have an interview offer, which on the one hand, I’m SUPER excited about, but on the other hand… more

Question for clerks: based on your experience, what are the odds of landing a clerkship (either district or COA) without having a connection to a judge? I’m a decently strong candidate (T14, top 20%, … more

I’m finishing up my COA clerkship soon. I had an interview with a firm partner for a post-clerkship job. He’s written on a particular sub-area of law. My judge is on a panel hearing a case that’s very… more

My judge works from 8 to 8, and expects the clerks to do the same (not only when we are busy, but every single day). And he never works from home. Are most judges like this? He has reached a point … more

Does Ogletree Deakins offer clerkship bonuses?

If my clerkship ends in May 2026, when do I start applying and/or start going to these law clerk receptions? I feel like it is way too early for me to attend these events and wanted to get insights o… more

Federal Judicial Clerk Check-In

How’s the job search going for Fall 2025 for you guys? Are you guys making any sort of headway in your job search? I’m struggling to even get interviews over here. What… more

Hi, I have a law clerk diploma, 8 months of Canadian work experience (4 months in placement & 4 months at a real estate firm), & 8 years of international judicial clerk experience. Despite thi… more

Anyone working in immigration law? Trying to know how long has it been taking recently for obtaining a work authorisation when transitioning from L1A to marriage based greencard

Interviewing for two judges at just about same time. Really want both and they are different types of courts. If I’m lucky enough to get both, can I ask one about the possibility of deferring e to the… more

Best friend from law school wants to quit his clerkship halfway through because it’s “boring.” Help me talk him out of it …

For clerks with children, is it frowned upon to go home before the judge to pick up your kids? I may have to leave at 5-5:10 everyday, and I'm not sure if my judge will be pissed..

How is the Judicial clerk job market this year? 2024 was slow and many clerks didn’t have jobs till summer. What are you seeing in the job market for Fall 2025 start dates?

Any former Court of International Trade clerks willing to share time about their experience?

Are there any clerks here who worked for 4+ years before applying/moving to clerkships? I did 4 years in big law, 2 years in-house, and I would like to apply to clerkships but I’m looking for advice … more

Does Wachtell give clerkship bonuses? For two? Signing bonus?