Lawyers - when is too late to try for a judicial clerk?

[Anonymous]

Title pretty much says it all. After practicing law, when is it too late to try for a judicial clerkship? (e.g., if you have been practicing for 4+ years, the ship has sailed.) Is there an official cut off? I didn't try for a clerkship and now regret it, but have been practicing for several years now, so I think it is too late. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Never too late - why would it be? Before the recessions in 2001 and 2008, firms used to supplement associate's salaries so that they could clerk for a year, and most judges have been around for more than 10 years, so I would think they expect it. Who knows, maybe some firms still do it.

[Anonymous]

Never too late.

[Anonymous]

Most judges really value time in the "real world." The judge I clerked for now only accepts applications from people who h
are at least one year out.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who recently completed 8-9 years at a top DC firm, did not make partner and them moved for a clerkship in another city.

[Anonymous]

happens all the time. go for it! great experience, really wonderful. and a nice break (well sometimes, depends on judge) if you are in Biglaw, or really any law with billables.

[Anonymous]

Huh, I clerked for a Federal Circuit Court and never saw a clerk further than one year out of law school (unless they were in a permanent position). But that was late '90s. I guess things have changed.

[Anonymous]

OP here. This is heartening to hear. I had just assumed that with 5+ years in the work force it would be too much and not looked upon favorably. Everything I had seen that discussed clerkships either talked about seeking one in law school or a year or two out of school.

Sorry for the typo in the subject line.

[Anonymous]

I have known of federal judges as well as state judges who have career clerks, and there are also usually offices at the courthouse that hire career attorneys as well. Definitely worth looking around and casting a wide net re: federal and state courts. Given that this is DC and there are many agencies that have administrative law bodies, you could look for judicial clerkships at those agencies as well. I interviewed a woman once who had clerked at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a couple of years, and it definitely made her a compelling candidate for the position we had open.