I left my associate attorney position to do a federal clerkship for a year. How do I explain to friends and family that it’s not like a demotion even though I won’t be practicing as an attorney? All the non-law people I tell seem confused as to why I would take a lower paying, temporary, non-attorney job for a year.

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

Just explain that it’s a prestigious position that will advance your career longterm. Or explain that it’s just something you want to do that will also advance your career.

likesmart

Additionally, it’s also a good way to network. There’s nothing wrong with your current position.

like

“It’s like going to get your MBA so you can get promoted to a higher role; a federal clerkship on my resume helps me get better jobs at better firms and for more money”

likesmart

“That’s showbiz baby”

funnylikeuplifting
Post Photo
like

Just tell them it isn’t a demotion and enjoy the clerkship. They might not get it while you are there but they may understand its prestige later in your career. Those outside the law sometimes just don’t get it because they aren’t living it. Let them be wrong 🤷🏻‍♀️

like

My friends and family would have no idea that a clerkship = not practicing unless I told them, and I just wouldn’t tell them — less complicated

likesmart

You don’t.

like

In my experience, people outside of the legal world don’t see clerkships as real jobs weirdly enough. I would try to explain it as “I work for the federal government. My paycheck comes from the treasury. My boss is appointed by the president and approved by the senate.” Sometimes that would help but otherwise they all think it’s an unpaid internship.

like

Tell the non law people that’s the only way to be on SCOTUS one day. That should do it.

funny

You're presumably a litigator, and you cannot figure out how to frame this for your family/friends? That's your job

funny

Related Posts

I received an email from the HR at Monitor Deloitte that I've cleared the case round and a back to back discussion with partner and director of the team will be scheduled. Been almost 3 days since this email, haven't received asking for availability from the scheduling team. This for a role with their Lifesciences Strategy practice in the UK. How long do they typically take to schedule the final round of discussions? Do they eliminate candidates in this round?

like
like

I got rejected for upper management position at Protiviti. Is that a bad thing?

like

Deciding between PWC Core Assurance or KPMG Internal Audit for associate role. Any advice guys ?

like

LTI is Hiring for below Cloud/DevOps BU Positions!!

Immediate to 30 days joiners will be preferred ..

Interested plz DM with job codes to apply

Post Photo

I am looking for job as an assistant manager strategy or chief of staff. I have work experience of 7.7 years. I have completed my MBA. Please let me know if you have any openings or can refer

like

Hello all at Novartis ,

What is the role Technical design expert equivalent to in the other firms? Is it the Architect role or a different one? Also what is pay range for this role for 7 year exp individual with the current ctc being 35LPA and the tech stack is Azure? Thoughts please?

like

Anyone at Google willing to refer? I want to apply to a role I’m interested in. Thanks in advance! 🙏🏽 Google

like

Recently started my role as a Wealth Management Specialist, does anyone have any tips or insight on what I should do to make the most out of my role? What are ways to go above and beyond in order to make the most compensation?

Looking to pivot from Sales at Bloomberg to Management Consulting/Change Management Consulting in the NYC area. 4 years working experience. Certainly open to Big 4 firms, but also to boutique consulting firms.
Looking to connect with someone who has pivoted from Sales to Consulting, or someone who is willing to provide insight into their Consulting role as it pertains to the type of Consulting roles referenced above, or provide a referral. Thank you!

like

Joined a new firm at the start of this year but it’s not a good fit and I want to leave for a different role type. Will it look bad to potential employers if I leave this company after 6 months? I was with my prior employer for 2.5 years before this.

like

Hi fishes

How is work life balance for Manager role and what is the salary band for Manager position?

like
like

LTI-Larsen & Toubro Infotech is Hiring
*DM your EMAILID with JOBID to Apply*
All LTI Location!!

Post Photo

Anyone interested in below skills,DM for referral:

Post Photo

Natwest group As QA with 11 yrs exp I m verbally offered AVP role in NW markets. Is it good? How much ctc can they offer me for this role? Also is it tough to get promoted to next level from AVP role in Natwest?
Pls rply

like

Currently job hunting with sponsorship to Canada, AU or anywhere. I am a Software Engineer based in the Philippines with 17 years of industry experience. I'm currently leading a team in a fintech company. I'm technology agnostic and have worked with different platform from smalltalk to react, I can work both front and back end. Please PM me if you have any opening and can accomodate me. thanks!

like

I am starting a new role with a new company and will have 6 direct reports. Although I have managed teams before in a consulting project setting, this will be the first time in industry. Any recommendations on how to sharpen my management skills (books, blogs, etc). Particularly looking at how to delegate effectively and practical examples on how to run day to day.

like

Anyone here work in a family office role? What are the hours and salary like?

like

More Posts

What’s an average salary for a mid-level post producer in LA /NYC? Does anyone know of a post house looking to hire a kick ass, scrappy post producer? Thinking about switching over from agency side🙃

like

What are your thoughts on joining a startup that pushes for no structure in their company? Supposedly they thrive from what he told me but I’m not convinced. Is this really a thing?

likefunny

Need a referral for Audit profile at Bangalore location

I’m a CA with 6 years of experience in(Statutory and Internal)

Currently I’m living in Delhi, and willing to relocate to Bangalore

like

Hi Guys
What do you think is a good salary for 8-10 experienced, i am not talking about any technology but in General IT industry as a whole

like

Creative directors: what, in your opinion, is the best way to handle work in a marketing agency? What is the culture at your agency like?

like

Finally figured out why he's looking only at the teleprompter on his left. Scowls from Dems must be too much for his ego to take.

likefunny

Could you seriously date someone who isn't on the same financial level as you?

like

Anyone waiting for scores today?

like

I’m investing all my retirement (401k, Roth IRA) in a s and p500 fund (FXAIX). Thoughts on if this is wise in the long run vs just using a target date fund?

like

Happy hour alternatives? Wrong answers only.

like

Hi friends, I’m a starter in cyber security (<1 yr exp). I’m already working at EY so idk if any starter certifications would be helpful but do you think they’re helpful and if so, which ones?

like

How is Hexaware in term of Mainframe Technology or Legacy Modernization project ? Good number of projects in Hexaware related to Mainframe Technology?

And how is Job security in Hexaware ?

#Hexaware

like

Any M 40+ in Nairobi? The apps here are not it!

like

Recently joined Google. Let me know if you need a referral.

likehelpfulupliftingfunny

How much money do you get for referring someone that is hired at Deloitte?

like

How to find Visa Sponsored jobs on LinkedIn?

like

Can someone please refer me in QA automation 4+ years of experience
Thanks!!

like

Anyone working at a MM IB firm in Washington DC? Looking for some insight. Thanks!

like

Didn’t cook anything but still wanted to share it with you since it was such a delight to eat ♥️♥️♥️. Yogurt in the bottom, whole BIG mango, blue berries, Cheerios for crunch and drizzled with honey.

Post Photo
likeupliftingsmart

Additional Posts in Law

Does anybody work in a rule for a litigation finance or legal funding company who doesn't hail from a big law firm in background? Basically I have a lot of interest in the area have read a book about it in my free time and was wondering what sort of entry level opportunities I should be seeking.

like

A friend was rewatching old episodes of Suits, which admittedly I’ve never seen. The main character starts at this law firm where associates are given cubicles not offices. There’s no way that’s accurate, right??? I have a cube but I’m just a lowly gov atty frm a state school LOL not a Harvard law alum at a reputable NYC firm

like

I'm a long time prosecutor getting into the ID game and billable hours. Are there any resources out there that can help me get more effective/efficient without spending months/years learning the hard way? Some days I'm at the office 10 hours, took virtually no breaks and yet only bill 7. 🤬

like

Has anyone been admitted to Massachusetts by transfer of UBE score? I submitted my application in July and took and passed the state law exam today. How long after this were you admitted? Thanks!

like

As lawyers are there ways to get paid for connecting clients?

like

Mid-level associate at a mid-size regional insurance defense firm practicing coverage litigation. Salary is capped b/c my firm only does I.D./coverage and has no direct-hire comm clients. Second round of interviews with a comm lit boutique where I would be the only associate with 5 partners. Other than partner track, salary/benefits, and switching from coverage to general comm lit, what qualities of the move should I be thinking about as I weigh my options? I've never worked at another firm.

like

Shout out to @nonequitypartner. We see you. Keep up the good work, and pls fix, thx.

likefunnysmart

Hi new here. Idk what my value is and if I’m getting paid an amount that reflects my hard work. I am a paralegal for a small law firm (family and immigration) w only 1 attorney. I have about 20 files or more in my rotation at a time. I work on various types of cases at once. Some are simple, others are extensive. I feel like it’s very unstructured and one of the managers micromanages. It’s like every man for himself. Take home pay is $50k. I am working on my bachelors deg. Do I get paid enough?

like

How long did you have to wait from last round interview until offer? (Public sector)

like

When negotiating a sign on bonus with a new firm based on the fact that you were anticipating a bonus for that fiscal year and are leaving before that is paid out, do you have to do anything to prove you would have actually received a bonus/the amount of bonus you would have received?

like

Confused why Wachtell qualifies as BigLaw when they have one (small) office

like

All of my experience is in litigation but I think I might like real estate more. Any advice on how to sell myself to a real estate firm?

like

Transactional associate. Lateraled 6 months ago and one of the biggest pain points has been my new firm’s inclination to “hop on a call”, which of course requires every single stakeholder to join. The end result being every call has 25 people on it and nothing actually gets done because no one wants to ask a question that could come off as silly. It’s destroying my ability to get anything done during the day. It’s a complete performance and it drives me nuts.

like

We have motion sensor lights in my office and the sensor is far from my desk. Consequently, if I'm on a long WebEx, the lights go out and it's embarrassing. The building won't change the sensor. Anyone find a solution for this (aside from standing up and moving, which would be very awkward)? I can't rearrange my office.

funny

Anyone know anything about Kauffman borgees or Traub Lieberman? Reputations, working there, etc?

like

How long is acceptable to ask to decide on an offer, especially when another place you really want to work at is moving a bit slower? I know this question has been asked before but I feel like 2022 has been its own beast in the legal market and would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

like

Has anyone taken  ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS)? Any comments/ reviews? How has it enhanced your employability? Why did you take the CGSS?

like

Layoffs. Most big firms say they're sitting on a conservative pile of cash - which I believe is true - but work will obviously not return to pre-COVID levels in the short term, probably not even in the medium term. Are Biglaw layoffs coming?

likefunny

California 🐟 does your vacation payout when you leave your job get taxed at regular wage, or bonus, levels? Does your employer have discretion to choose?

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