Has anyone served as a 2-year temp staff attorney for a circuit court?
A co-worker pointed out some potential downsides (getting the work no one wants, not getting to know any of the judges like a chambers clerk would), so I just wondered if anyone could share their experience and insight!
Thank you!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I have! It was my first job out of law school and I did it because I knew I wanted to clerk, but decided that too late to land a “real clerkship” starting my graduation year. At the particular court I was working at, it was pretty high volume work, so that was good for developing legal research and writing skills. I personally think it’s a great stepping stone to a clerkship, especially because the judges on the court I worked for tended to look to the staff attorneys office to recruit future clerks. But if you’re already clerking, I don’t necessarily see the appeal of a term staff attorney position. It varies by court, but staff attorneys generally handle a lot of pro se litigation, prisoner civil rights cases, and habeas corpus stuff. So I would consider how helpful that experience would be to what you want to do in the future.

like

This is so helpful, thank you!!
That subject matter is about what I was expecting, but you're right, it may not be too different from what I'm already learning at the district level. I only thought about it as a way to get court of appeals experience, but if those are the only types of matters staff attorneys handle, it may not be the experience I'm looking for!
I really appreciate the help!

Related Posts

Does anyone have any recommendations for a multitouch attribution setup in HubSpot?

like

I am having 2.2 years of experience in Bigdata Testing. Please let me know any vacancies

like

Is it possible to move from a copywriter job to medical writing?

like

I am looking for a new job at the end of a long career. I have excellent experience in IP and Supply Chain Management. I've been fortunate to be in a high-paying position in the Los Angeles area and I rarely see comparable positions posted. The comparable positions at my company are filled by one of the big executive search firms. Any recommendations for finding the rare executive-level legal positions or for landing on the radar of the big executive search firms would be much appreciated!

like

So I just had a client tell me their asylum case is fabricated, and can't I help prepare the person for court. My initial reaction, fire the client. I'm not that kind of atty. But I hear so many talk about finding a balance and not turning ppl away bc ultimately they need a defense and who knows what will come up along the way. How would you handle? How do you find the balance btwn not turning clients away but not being unethical?

36 F Black NYC Divorced, 1 tween. anyone want to get to know one another better?

likeuplifting

Saw this on LinkedIn for anyone with a desire to live in SF. Senior team needed at Heat SF...

Post Photo
likehelpful

Happy Monday everyone, gotta start the week strong 🥃

Post Photo
like

Has anyone used some kind of adhd coach or just like a therapist or psychologist that you’ve found useful and could recommend? 🙏

like

Anyone going to ey gds kolkata on 21st dec for Christmas celebrations

like

Does Optum has a office in Panchkula, Haryana? Can we ask for a transfer to Panchkula office?

Optum Wipro Infosys Tata Consultancy Cognizant HCL Technologies

like

Bay Area - hey (:

Anyone in ATL during the week? I want to explore 😁

like

My office chair stinks even though I wash it with carpet cleaner every few weeks. Fellow 24/7 WFH workers, how do you keep your office chair clean?

likefunny

How difficult is it to get a Clearance if you were born in Cuba (or any other non-NATO country/ally) but moved to the USA when you were a kid? I’m a USA Citizen, and from my understanding, I can’t give up my Cuban citizenship by Cuban law -___-

like
like

I have a place in NYC and FL and planning to stay in my place in FL for a good 8-9 months. Is it fair to keep my job information the same and just declare to the IRS where I spend my tax year? Or do I have to actually relocate back and forth?! Using TurboTax, it looks like it just asks you where you lived & work and how many months.

like

What type of background check do HF/PE/VC forms so these days? Employment, education and felonies are a given (I think) but is fingerprinting and drug testing still in the mix? How about credit score?

like

Additional Posts in Law Clerks

How many applications do COA chambers usually get, particularly in 2/9/DC?

like

Any insight into clerkship bonuses at BakerHostetler?

like

Finishing up a clerkship & trying to negotiate a clerkship bonus with my firm. Anyone and everyone - drop the clerkship bonuses you’ve heard of (or received) & firm size (small/medium/large is enough) so I can come with some numbers/averages. Much appreciated!!

like

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

like

Hi everyone! I come from Big law and have an interview at a federal court (dream job) and will be meeting two federal judges. Any tips for a successful interview? I’ve worked previously at a lower court. Any qualities / skills I should put forward? Many thanks

like

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?

like

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?

like

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?

like

Ive been practicing in TX for 2-3 years at a big law firm doing mostly bankruptcy work (and some trial) and looking to clerk at a bankruptcy court in SDNY/DDE/EDVA (I am well aware of how great the SDTX judges are but I am set on leaving Texas). Anyone familiar with how many apps these judges normally get or what makes candidates stand out? Are these judges generally not interested in someone who has practiced in a different market?

like

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?

like

Clerks, at what point in your clerkship did you start applying for jobs? I’m about halfway through a two year clerkship in my intended market and I am trying to figure out when I need to seriously start applying.

like

Former clerks that went the biglaw route: Did you use a recruiter (or, if not, do you wish you had)?

For context (not sure if this matters), I've accepted a post-clerkship biglaw offer but am interested in at least seeing what my options are/shopping other biglaw firms during my clerkship.

like

how many opinions/bench rulings should I aim to complete by the end of the clerkship?

like

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?

like

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

like

Still WFH? What are other chambers doing for task management? Our chambers has been keeping up with assignments, incoming emails needing judge’s eyes, and written orders, all through Microsoft Planner. We share PDFs through Sharepoint folders. Although we still email draft orders back and forth, the system seems to work well enough. We still aren’t operating at our previous capacity because it takes 10x the number of steps to get a motion heard or an order entered—90% of our workload.

like

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

like

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?

like

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.

like

Did the NYSBA forget about re-takers? Is this a grave travesty and denial of Art 15 rights to those who are not being allowed to sit for the exam? What about their financial distress and their ability to retain and seek employment?

Post Photo
like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal