How Attorneys Can Get a Job During and After a Federal Clerkship

 

What Do I Need to Do to Get a Job After a Federal Clerkship?

 

Working in the confines of a judge's chambers is far, far different than working for a law firm with more aggressive people, a myriad of deadlines and the expectations of much higher work quality and hours.

 

Harrison Barnes

 

No law firms come out and say "Hey! We want one of 1,000+ federal district judge clerks!" Instead, they are generally looking for laterals from major law firms who have what it takes to do the work, get along with clients and fit in-in an ultra-competitive environment. This is how it works and you need to market yourself broadly.

As a preliminary matter, it is important to understand that federal law clerks also have some drawbacks. They tend-more so than attorneys that go directly to large law firms out of law school-to be less polished and not as motivated and paranoid as is required to be in a large law firm.

Also, federal judges are as a rule better than state judges (in terms of education and pedigree), but not always. They often have no law firm experience, may have been small town prosecutors, academics, or bounced around to different government jobs. Many (but not all) are not the sorts of individuals that would ever be hired by a major law firm. They could not manage clients, attract business, work 100 hour weeks, or do any of the other things that attorneys in large law firms are expected to do.

 

The training a federal law clerk gets under their tutelage is "all over the map" and not always that great. The intellect of federal judges is also not always all that great-but more often than not it is. Federal law clerks often pick up and are indoctrinated into sloppy work habits when working for judges that law firms do not like. More times than I can count, I have seen federal law clerks hired by law firms and ejected like viruses. Their work was considered poor quality and they pick up bad habits that do not work in the long run.

What I am saying is that federal law clerks are not necessarily as appealing to law firms as they think they are. There is more need for laterals with experience in law firms that there is for clerks. It is more difficult to get a job in a major law firm out of law school as a litigator than as a federal law clerk. It is also exceedingly competitive in litigation-more competitive than most other practice areas. Virtually anyone can be a litigator; however, things like tax law, ERISA, patent law and so forth require completely different skill sets. These attorneys are always higher in demand. Anyone that graduates from law school can write. Just being a clerk and writing some more is a good thing-but it does not make you that special.

Many clerks, for example, think that they can easily make a transition to intellectual property litigation or white collar crime related positions. Despite clerking for a federal judge, you do not have the requisite background to get into a firm doing this at a high level. This means that your best shot will be getting into a law firm as a general commercial litigator. If a federal law clerk "applies" for white collar or IP litigation openings, they are not likely to get very far-at least with a major, high-paying firm. But I certainly hope I am proven wrong.

 

• Federal law clerks may work for a federal judge; however, federal judges generally do everything there is to do with criminal matters (sentencing and so forth) and clerks are rarely involved very much. Moreover, most white collar litigators get experience as federal prosecutors (or something similar). Writing opinions as the resident nerd for a judge does not make you qualified to represent a major white collar criminal.
• Just because you worked on some IP-related matters for a federal judge does not make you qualified to be an IP litigator. Did you take years of complicated science courses in college and/or get advanced degrees in science-related disciplines? Do you even know what it takes to be admitted to the patent bar? Most big firms expect IP litigators to be admitted to the patent bar.

 

Look, I was a federal law clerk before I started my career at Quinn Emanuel-a firm that thankfully likes clerks. I am not saying a clerkship is a bad thing. It is a good thing. The training, insight and depth it gives you will take you far. However, you still need to understand that just because you were a clerk does not mean you do not have to look hard for a job.

I know of countless law clerks who have actually begged their judges to do extra years after their clerkships because they could not find a job. I know of others who looked a year or more (without my help) in major markets like Boston, New York and so forth because they could not find a job after a clerkship.

I would recommend taking some time and reviewing this article titled The Worst Piece of Attorney Job Search Advice Ever for more information. This explains, to some extent, the approach you are going to need to take in the market. Law clerks are not so much applying for "positions" as they are law firms.

You need to be applying to firms and not necessarily jobs. Sitting around applying to jobs on a site like LawCrossing.com is a useful strategy; however, law firms are generally not out there posting jobs for law clerks. As a law clerk, you should be applying to as many firms as possible.

 

Submit Your Resume to BCG Attorney Search and Get Feedback

Click here to contact Harrison

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.