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If you got the interview it’s because you’re already qualified on paper. That means in my experience the interview itself is more of a personality test. Time to turn on the charm and convince them you are someone their staff and other clerks will get along with. I would advise exuding humility. You want to come off as bright/confident but unassuming. Preparation is key. Practice your answers for common questions: why do you want to clerk, why do you want to clerk here specifically, what was your favorite law school class etc. To the extent you can, research the judge’s background and try and find things you may have in common. Have questions ready to ask them. You’ll do great!
Good luck! Main skill highlight is research - just like be ready to talk about your approach. Writing as well obviously but they’ve already read your sample. Let me know if you have any other questions! Out of curiosity, what jurisdiction?
I echo what JLC1 said! If you were asked for the interview, you’ve stood out on paper and are well qualified. Then, it’s about letting them see your personality so that they can tell that you’re a good fit and that they’d want to work with you. Chambers are tight-knit, even in courthouses with several judges, and they’ll want to know that they can enjoy spending time with and working with you.
In preparation for some of my clerkship interviews, I reached out to the former clerks that I could find on LinkedIn and asked if I could have five minutes of their time to ask a few questions about their experience. Many were willing to talk. But make sure it’s a former clerk, because they’re going to be more likely to share. Current clerks are often part of the hiring process, so I wouldn’t reach out to them.
I also watched an interviews or speeches I could find of theirs online and I always made sure to have read a few recent opinions of theirs.
Also, make sure you’ve reread whatever you used as your writing sample. I forgot that as a supplemental sample I used a research memo from 1.5 years prior and in one interview, I got asked substantive questions about it. Not all judges want to get into substantive questions during interviews, but some sue. Talking to a former clerk may help you figure that out.
Good luck!!!
I assume it’s at the circuit level from your reference to your previous work in the “lower” court (hate that term). If so, don’t get political no matter what. Meaning, don’t try to voluntarily peddle to whichever political side you think they lean. Way too risky. But obviously you want to be aware of that factor by reading their opinions in case it somehow comes up from their end. I clerked on the ninth circuit and we had judges who made a point of having clerk’s of diverse political leanings, while others were very laser focused on finding people who agreed with them. Typically the laser focused ones picked that up from the resume anyway (read: member of the federalist society or ACLU, etc) so it shouldn’t come up during interviews.
Is this a staff attorney or career clerk job or something else?