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Once upon a time I was in a position to interview law clerks and make hiring recommendations. Here is some basic dos and donts for law clerk interviews and applications
Do try and see if the judge you’re applying for has a political slant, and if so, remove those orgs from your resume that may not fit. There are just too many applicants that fit for you to get “pulled out the stack” with an ill fitting resume
Do treat the clerks and secretary and court reporter and deputy and whoever else you meet with the utmost respect. Cuz I promise you the court reporter has way more pull than you think and will nix your shit if you’re rude
If you have a reccomender who knows judge, like really knows, see if they’re willing to call on your behalf. Only other phone calls that are helpful are VIPers, and this is a really narrow range. Think dean of a law school big time.
DO NOT have a single grammar typo in your resume or cover letter. Not one. Not a spacing error not a misplaced comma nothing. You’re applying to be a clerk you’re literally paid to get these details right. Easiest way to get your app tossed.
The clerks may be more interested in your substance than the judge, who is likely looking for culture and fit. So prepare accordingly
DONT delete the “interests” part of your resume. We want to know that you’re a person and can be a cool person to spend 10 hours a day with in a small room for a year
It’s archaic, but thank you emails are nice, and thank you notes are even nicer. but only after an in person interview plz lol no need to gas anything less
Have prepared questions! Ask about the writing process, the editing process, how involved in trials you’ll be, the criminal/civil work load split, how work is divided among the clerks. All that stuff is really valid and important to know.
But plz no questions like “how many weekends do y’all work a month” or “how many hours do y’all put in a day” Or anything that makes you seem like you not about that action. Cuz there are others who aren’t asking about that and they’ll SEEM more dedicated.
One more word about cover letters: use them to show GENUINE connection to the judge. Did judge previously work in X field and so did you? Do you live in the same city as the court house? That stuff gets noticed. But golle don’t force it if it’s not there I beg lol
K done now thumbs hurt and philly getting worked I’ll respond to questions if folk have some
