Anyone feel way over their head when they started clerking (district level, but fine with hearing appellate perspective as I’ve got one of those locked down later)? I did not feel this way when I started big law.

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Every district clerk does — the learning curve is enormous. Keep at it and you’ll be ok

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Yes! Keep at it. It is a massive learning curve.

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Yep. It's normal. Look for precedent documents (especially for the routine orders) and remember the standard that governs the motion you're deciding. It should guide your framing. You'll start to feel comfortable after a few months.

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I’m a year in and there’s still so much I don’t know. This job made taught me to feel okay with not knowing all of the answers, and forced me to develop a process to try to figure them out. You’re doing great!

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10000% yes. You are not alone! If you can, I suggest trying to connect with other clerks in your district. It’s immensely helpful to meet everyone and realize that they’re all going through what you are!

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I didn’t really feel like I knew what I was doing until about 6 months in

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Learning curve. When I started my district clerkship I routinely stayed in chamber till 7/8, sometimes even 9. Now it's a 9-5 for me. Once you learn the writing style, things get easier

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Huge learning curve between learning a system that so set in its ways. Give yourself 2-4 months to truly acclimate

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This post makes me feel so much better - I started this week and I’ve been feeling totally incompetent. The imposter syndrome is very real

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I practiced for a year and am clerking now. I felt like a total idiot when I started a few months ago. Still don’t know what I’m doing much of the time

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Definitely yes. I was walking on eggshells almost everyday. But I kept my head down, trusted in the Court's decision to trust me enough to hire me, and kept at it. You know what you're doing, trust in your skills. You got this. What helped me: look at your Judge's prior decisions as a template.

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Can one switch from Deloitte India to Deloitte USI ?
If yes, what is the process?

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5 years at this company.

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I am relocating to Charlotte NC November 30th and on the career hunt . I have experience in HR, hospitality, social work, customer service, and education. I’ll graduate with my Master of Social Work in May 2023. I’ve been applying to a few things but no luck. I’m open to trying new career fields and to hybrid, on-site , or remote work. Please point me in the direction of a great opportunity!

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Has anyone gone through bcgs experienced hire recruiting?

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Gifted ELA and art happen at the same time at my school. A student wants to attend the art class and do their online ELA work at another time. Both teachers are fine with that, but admin said "no!"
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Has any companies given their employees good raises to help with the rising costs of everything? I was a top performer and only got around 3% this last year.

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How often does Accenture Strategy use Python during projects? Is it worth taking courses before joining?

My humble collection (L-R):
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I just spoke with a software architect that went back to school to learn software engineering after law school because it was more lucrative and had less hours. He’s worked his way up and has the skills and authority to work 6:30am-10am and gets to work remotely. We discussed that results/outputs is better than billable time like in law and public accounting. Yet, his parents and others would view him as “lazy” but he does his job and makes a fantastic living. Time>Money and Results>Hours

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Austin’s Christmas tree 🫠😵‍💫

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Feeling grateful & proud as I reached my goal ($50K by 25) 5 months early. But I can’t help feeling a bit overwhelmed. In the lifelong scheme of things, $50K doesn’t seem like much. I worked really hard and sacrificed a lot (including mental health) to get to this but it seems a little tiring knowing I still have so long to go. I recently moved out and in with my BF so my expenses are split, but nonetheless they are still expenses. Any tips on continuing this journey and keeping the drive?

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Are there any disadvantages of joining a C2H role purely on the basis of high CTC even though it is for a big client of the contractor company?

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Went from a big firm to work for a smaller firm. The people in the smaller firm are protective of their work and are good by their work too. I no longer feel chaos or stress. I am treated with respect and my schedule is more normal. I am even working more billable hours than before, but it feels like a seamless experience. I don’t work then past 5pm or anything out of the ordinary for this time of the year. I am so grateful!

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Hello All,

I am expecting a HR call for salary negotiation, for BA4 position in Barclays. how much they can offer?
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Thanks

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For the monthly expense reimbursement, how does it work if I choose it for my cellphone, is the amount added to my paycheck or I have to submit my bill each month in the expense account? Thanks

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For folks who recently got their EAD, how long from the time of filing your I-485 did you get it?

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Additional Posts in Law Clerks

Need advice on a specific question!
Interviewed with Chicago court 2 weeks ago; they decide mid-August. Interviewed with DC judge last week; hear from him by this Friday. Chicago said if I need an answer before August, they'd try to make a decision about me sooner.
Should I ask Chicago for an answer? Or should I wait until there's an offer from DC judge? Maybe seems better to withdraw before an offer is made rather than ask for time to think about it/turn down DC? What's proper etiquette?

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I’m a current federal clerk and I have an option to clerk again with a different federal judge or take a career clerk position with a state judge. Any insight into how each would impact my career path going forward?

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Any other 2020 grads out there? How are you handling the job search without passing the bar or having any idea when it will be held? My plan was to pass the bar, then get a job so now I’m just in limbo.

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Change my mind: A motion to “clarify” one of the court’s orders is actually just a cute, roundabout way of asking for reconsideration.

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Does anyone know when the JS salary bumps occur?
I graduated in May 2020, but did not start working at my firm until September 2020. I’ll start my clerkship in June 2021 — will I start at JS-12 or JS-13? If I start at JS-12, will I ever bump up to JS-13?

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Does anyone have any recommendations on how to conduct the post-clerkship job search if the goal is big law? I am coming from a state appellate clerkship in a major market.

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Has anyone been approached or heard anything about lateral/post-clerkship hiring during (as well as the new timeline for hiring)?

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What types of questions/polls/posts do you want to see/discuss?

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Were you drug tested as part of your federal district court clerkship background check?

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How have court proceedings been during quarantine? Any wild video or audio court experiences?

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How does everyone track their daily and long term work to-dos (lists)? I am not the best at organising and feel overwhelmed with tracking and prioritising. Any tips?

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Currently applying to federal clerkships. Is there an average amount of time before you hear back (if selected)? Also, is it proper to call to confirm receipt of submitted apps outside of OSCAR?

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State bar fees while you’re clerking? Please tell it doesn’t just come out of your own pocket during the two years? 😭

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Got an offer to clerk for a DJ over the phone a couple of months ago. Silence since. I start in late summer, but when should I expect HR to reach out with onboarding materials? Is an offer letter usually sent?

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Hey I'm a lawyer who has a few years of experience. Do people hire guys like me for clerkships

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Would your judge blame you for higher court reversing his opinion if he handed you the research and told you what to write? Should he?

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For writing samples in clerkship applications, can you edit/revise a final work product already submitted to the court? For instance, if there's a typo or something. Can more substantive edits be made to improve the work product?

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What are your hours like as a clerk? I’m sure it varies a lot based on the judge but curious to hear people’s experiences

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How much should I charge or accept for a law clerk position inhouse at a Biotech company? An attorney I previously supported has asked me to assist as an independent contractor. She is the only attorney at the company and has no legal staff currently.

For context: I graduated law school in May 2021 and have not passed the Bar as of yet. I have been working in IP support roles for the past six years. What would be an appropriate rate?

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To those who applied for and obtained an appellate clerkship *after* clerking at a district court: How many applications did you submit to get your appellate clerkship? Did you have your district court judge advocate on your behalf, and if so, how much of a difference do you feel it made?

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