Question for partners/shareholders: How would you feel if a new associate chose to leave the firm to pursue a federal clerkship? The clerkship would start only 8 months after I began with my new firm. I have wanted to clerk for a long time and fear the pay-cut may not be feasible in the future. But I also love my firm and would love to come back in 1-2 years. What would be your feelings?

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We help our associates get clerkships all the time. It’s fine. Give as much notice as possible and finish your work well.

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This is common and fine in big law. They hold your job for you, and you usually get a bonus when you come back.

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Depends on the size of the firm. My firm might be annoyed and you may not have a job when you get back. However, bigger law firms won't care.

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Our firm routinely has associates that start working, leave to clerk and then come back to the firm. The firm considers the experience and judicial insight that a clerkship will give the associate as a long-term investment.

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Definitely depends on the size of the firm, but a lot of the bigger ones would likely encourage it.

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We would encourage it.

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Most larger firms encourage it.

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I am not a partner, but this is common at my biglaw firm. I'd say that as long as you have a positive reputation (i.e. you aren't perceived to be lazy, not a fit for the firm/biglaw, etc.), they will welcome you back with open arms.

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IMO taking that clerkship is a no brainer & that experience (and having it on your resume) will serve you well

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I strongly encourage this. Anyone should want this honor of public service and a firm should be glad to accommodate. I am both Canadian and American and the workplace as a matter of law must easily accommodated an 8 month departure for paternity / maternity.

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