Law Clerk Addict

Too bad he'll never hire me :(

 – scaliafan (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Why does Alito hire so many clerks from TTT law schools?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Creighton, George Mason, Rutgers, and GW... and that's just OT 2008-09!

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

AMK's other 3 clerks for OT09 are from Georgetown, Harvard, and Yale. He has hired a law clerk for OT10 who went to Yale.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Scalia is calling.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Never mind, I was mistaken, carry on.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

Ginsburg is done for 2010-11.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Some of our law school class met Thomas earlier this year and he indicated there were too many Ivy League clerks (and Judges for that matter) on the Court and the Court would benefit from different perspectives. He stated most top ranking law school graduates are qualified to clerk but age, maturity and work ethic matter a great deal. According to him, his clerks are all 30+ years old. Also, from reading his autobiography, his view of Ivy league schools is made pretty clear in there.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Kennedy hired an HLS '09 alum set to clerk for Posner.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Scalia has interviewed a number of people for OT 2010.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Anyone know if Scalia has started hiring, or where he has interviewed from?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

got an interview

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

heard a rumor that Justice Ginsburg hired a Berkeley alum for 2011-2012

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

According to the Clerkship Notification Blog: For 2010 OT Scalia - Mich '08/Gorsuch Stevens - Mich '08/Garland

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

I can confirm that Ginsburg did in fact hire a Berkeley alums for 2011-12.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

Who did Ginsburg's Boalt '08 hire clerk for previously?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Just added some new info courtesy of Above the Law.

 – clurker

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

Boaltie clerked (is clerking?) for Berzon.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Has there been any movement from Paez, Pregerson, or Fisher?

 – anxious (Unregistered)

Disregard or delete the above post... wrong page

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

when do the next justices start interviewing?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

Is Souter going to hire one clerk/Term, as is the custom for retired Justices?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

It's not really clear whether Souter assumed senior status or outright retired. If senior, he probably will hire one clerk, but no one really knows for sure.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

Souter has hired a clerk for OT 2009. Yale Law / Katzmann.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: O`Connor, Sandra Day

When do we think SOC will hire her clerk for OT'10?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

What is the consensus on when and where to send Judge/Justice Sotomayor an application for OT 2010? Do we think it best to send it to her Chambers at the 2nd Circuit? Or as soon as she is confirmed send it to SCOTUS?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

I think you'd have to be crazy to send it anywhere other than the S.Ct. and anytime other than after confirmation. Jumping the gun pre-confirmation might be seen as very improper, leading to an auto-reject. Even if the risk of that is small (which I think it isn't), the corresponding benefit of sending it early is almost non-existent. Sotomayor certainly won't be seriously reviewing S.Ct. clerkship apps until post-confirmation. The only "exception" is that if you know someone who knows Sotomayor (e.g., a prof you're close to). Then you might try to get on her radar informally, though even then, I wouldn't send an app.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

admin took down my comment re: sotomayor as spam. I spent time on that, and the comment was thoughtful. Not going to bother again.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

Your comment was accidentally hidden while deleting spam. It has now been restored.

 – clurker

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

Now that I see it, I'm not sure it was worth restoring. In any case, clurker is forgiven. Note: Send apps to SS at the Court starting nowish.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

Is he is starting on Monday, who are her law clerks???

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

You really ought to do something about the constant spam on here. I think I'm going to just stop checking this board bc everytime I see a new SCOTUS post, it turns out to be spam.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

I agree with you #32. We're going to work on it but it is going to take a few weeks. Please bear with us.

 – rezclerk

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Don't know if this can be confirmed, but I heard a rumor that Justice Thomas has hired for October 2010-2011, an alum from the University of Texas who clerked on the Fifth Circuit.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Can confirm. Texas '08/C.J. Jones (5th Cir.) will clerk for J. Thomas.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

They have been posted on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_law_clerks_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States #Associate_Justice_.28Seat_1.29

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Alito has been interviewing people recently.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

You need to fix the links on the side of pages so that they go to the new SCOTUS page, not the old one.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Do we know if the Alito interviewees are class of '09, or have been out for a while?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Do we know if the Alito interviewees are class of '09, or have been out for a while?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

is a class of '09.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

I know he's interviewed candidates, both '09 and earlier.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

The link on the pull down menu has been fixed.

 – clurker

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Has anyone heard of Alito hires yet?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Has anyone heard of Alito hires yet?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

anyone heard anything?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

Any word?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How early do people apply for 2011? Does it depend on when the Justice hires or do you do them all at the same time?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Apply to everyone sometime this spring--preferably by march or so.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Apply to everyone sometime this spring--preferably by march or so.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

Anyone heard anything regarding Chief Justice Roberts?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

I heard she is interviewing for 2010 clerks . . . any word on who they might be?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

He's hired two thus far, and has interviewed more recently.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Alito's hired at least one or two for next year so far.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Kennedy screening interviews took place recently.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

Roberts is done.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Kennedy is done.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How many are required for each chambers?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Kennedy hired UVA '09 alum last week

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

Not 100% sure of this, but I heard that Roberts' hires clerked for Wilkinson (a couple of years ago), D. Ginsburg (a couple of years ago), Garland, and Kavanaugh.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Who has he hired?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

Chalk up a Vanderbilt c/o '05 as a Roberts clerk.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Kennedy hired two HLS 09 grads, currently with Garland and Kozinski.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

The above commenter is correct, but the Garland clerk is for 2011. All four 2010 clerks have been reported: YLS 08/Kavanaugh, HLS 09/Posner, HLS 09/Kozinski, UVA 09/Wilkinson. And then for 2011 there's HLS 09/Garland.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Has Alito finished hiring yet? He was reported to have been interviewing back in September, but no word that he's filled his spots?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Check out the front page blog for the latest tally.

 – lawclerkaddict

 Re: O`Connor, Sandra Day

Any word?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Alito has apparently finished hiring.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

Has she started yet?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: O`Connor, Sandra Day

Someone must know whether O'Connor has hired yet. Anyone?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Hi! koJuxyJ http://dlsdma.com/

 – viagra (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

Hired for October Term 2011.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

What's the clerkship for the HLS 3L?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Dassum just got kicked in the benson. See for yourself: www.youtube/sl8.2092/legendarynutter/2lkj0.html

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

judge kavanaugh

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

http://www.law.duke.edu/

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

Justice Sotomayor hired a Northwestern alum.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

hired a duke alumna. http://www.law.duke.edu/news/story?id=4553&u=11

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Does anyone have an idea of what all the hires for 2011-2012 are thus far?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

JGR has 1 HLS 2010, AMK 1 HLS 2009. That might be it, though RBG may have 1 clerk as well.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Justice Thomas sent applicants a postcard saying that he is "currently reviewing applications." Does this mean he's interviewing now? Based on past practice, if he isn't already, won't interviews begin relatively soon?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Do the postcards mean that he's reviewing now or is that just something sent to everyone to confirm receipt of application?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Pretty sure they're sent to everyone to confirm receipt of application.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Yeah, I think the postcard is just an automatic response confirming receipt.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Breyer, Stephen Gerald

I heard a rumor his screeners are moving, and that has to be right, if he's usually filled by June...

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

besides the one (http://www.law.duke.edu/news/story?id=4556&u=3), who are the other alito clerks

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Word is that Scalia's chambers (clerks) are reviewing applications.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Word is that Scalia's chambers (clerks) are reviewing applications.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Alito, Samuel A. Jr.

Info on SAA's other clerks here: http://abovethelaw.com/2010/04/supreme-court-clerk-hiring-watch-an-update/

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

http://www.law.duke.edu/news/story?id=4773&u=11

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Thomas also hired a Yale alum for OT 2010.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

Can't believe this hasn't leaked yet, but quite a while ago RBG hired a former Tatel clerk/Georgetown alum for OT 2011.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Stevens, John Paul

If you haven't already seen it, Stevens sent a letter to Obama letting him know that he's retiring the day after the term ends.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Where do you find information on the application process for Justice Thomas?(what to send in, to what address, timing, etc.)

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

You should send a cover letter, transcript, resume, two writing samples, and recommendations. You should send it to him at the Court (Are you not planning to apply to all of the justices? - You should). As far as timing, you might as well send them now (or as soon as they're ready). He'll probably look at your application in a few years (if you're a 3L).

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

For the Chief: The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr. Chief Justice of the United States One First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20543 For the other justices: The Honorable _______________ Supreme Court of the United States One First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20543

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

When does AS normally finish interviewing/notify interviewees of his decisions?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

It seems that AS is moving earlier this year than he typically does.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

What makes you say that?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

You do not use "Honorable" for any Supreme Court justices.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

You do not use "Honorable" for any Supreme Court justices.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

According to my law school's clerkship guide, you use "The Honorable ___" when referring to an associate justice, and "Mr. Chief Justice" when referring to Roberts.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

I don't think it matters too much. I was the original poster (use "Honorable" for all; use "Chief Justice of the United States" for Roberts; use "Supreme Court of the United States" for everyone else). This came from two current SCOTUS clerks. I don't see how using "Honorable" could hurt you (or "Mr. Chief Justice"). My guess would be that this choice is among the least important in your applications.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Hired a UVA alum. http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2010_spr/fitzgerald_thomas.htm

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Does anyone know if it matters to collect all the letters of rec and send them at once, or if every rec letter should directly be sent by person making the recommendation?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

It's probably best to send the letters in one bundle, but I don't think you have to. When I applied, I sent my application (cover letter, resume, transcript, writing sample(s)). Then, one recommender sent letters separately and my law school bundled the others and sent them in one package to each chambers. I intended to have them all bundled, but there was a miscommunication with the first recommender. I don't think it's a big deal, though.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How long does it take since applications are mailed in for one to hear something back, if anything at all?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Some chambers (Breyer, Ginsburg, Scalia, Thomas - I think) will send a letter indicating that your application has been recieved. According to the letter from Justice Ginsburg, if you haven't heard anything by August, you are not going to hear anything. For the rest, it seems less clear. Justice Scalia has scheduled some interviews for the 2011-2012 term, it seems Justice Breyer has too. There have been a few isolated hires (Roberts & Ginsburg with one each). Some have just finished hiring for 2010. My impression, though, is that most people who are ultimately going to be hired will have heard by sometime this Fall (if not before or already).

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

So, what is the best time to apply then? And if some of the justices are done hiring for 2011 by the time I apply, will I need to re-apply for 2012 to even be considered?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Anyone know which justices use screeners?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

If you want to be considered for the 2011 term, you should get your applications in ASAP. Some justices will automatically reconsider applications in subsequent years (e.g., Justice Thomas). I am not sure, however, that this is widely practiced. It wouldn't hurt to reapply next year.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Breyer & Kennedy do

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Is it kosher to call the chambers and ask about the application timing or what the applications need precisely contain? For example, I want to know if I should at all apply for 2011 if I can't get my package ready until mid-june, or if I should wait and apply for 2012

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

What's the benefit of clerking for a retired justice?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Clerks for retired justices tend to spend most of their time working for an active justice (as an additional clerks). Retired justices may sit by designation on any lower court in the country, and when they do, their clerk will generally assist them. I have heard that Justice O'Connor's clerk tends to work in Justice Kennedy's chambers.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

I don't know about calling chambers, but you can always send your cover letter, transcript and resume, and indicate that letters of recommendation will follow (assuming that's what's holding them up). You can also include a list of recommenders with their contact information in case a justice wants to get in touch with them before the letters arrive.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

RBG hired a female Harvard 2007 grad for OT 2011. So only one more opening, presumably for a Columbia grad.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

Judge?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

Katzmann and a district judge, Rakoff I think

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Is it too late to apply for OT 2011?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

No, it's not too late. Hurry up though.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Do they actually open the clerkship apps and read them, or is hiring done mainly by way of referrals from feeders?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

My understanding is that, while feeders are critical, that isn't the only way. Clerkship apps are read; that's where the importance of the written prof recommendations come in.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

The clerks will read through the applications. The justices will most likely not look at each one. If you're a viable candidate, then you will get a fair shake, even the justices are not getting personal phone calls on your behalf from a "feeder" judge. It can't hurt though.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

It is probably too late this time around for Justice Scalia, but otherwise you probably still have a window. With an application coming in at this point, though, it is probably more important that it gets followed up by a phone call from your judge or a recommender (to get it off the pile).

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Any recent interviews?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Justice Scalia has been interviewing the last few weeks.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Has Justice Thomas started moving at all?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How many people do they interview for each position?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Far more per position than for a typical COA clerkship, that's for sure.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Anything?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

The number of interviews varies widely by Justice. Ginsburg hires basically 100% of her interviews, so 4 for 4 spots. Kennedy interviews maybe 6 for 4 spots. Scalia interviews probably over a dozen, as do Roberts and Alito I believe.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Kennedy rarely (once every 3-4 years maybe) does anything before fall.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Confirmed.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

School? Judge?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

If you have not heard anything by now, should you assume you're not gonig to be called in for an interview for OT-2011?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

No, don't assume that. Maybe with Scalia that is true, but last year Alito was calling at the end of the summer. Not sure about the other justices, but by no means are they all done.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

But here is the thing, if you sent in your app like in March, I doubt they are going to dig it up and call you six months later in September. If you have not gotten a call already and it's been a couple of months since you applied, that's probably not a good sign. Unless you got a feeder judge calling for you, of course, to help take your app out of the pile.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

I don't think the timing of your application is going to have much to do with it. The justices don't review applications on a rolling basis (i.e., making a decision on each within a specified time after submission). If you applied in March, for example, your application may be on a "short list" created by the clerks for a particular justice, but he or she may just be waiting until things slow down a bit more before making any decisions (including calls about interviews).

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Echoing the last post, most applications are just filed away. Some screened as they come in, some not until the justice wants to start reviewing. All you have to do is scroll up and see that a bulk of the action takes place in September-November of each year--both calls for interviews and actual hiring.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

I agree with posts 139 and 140 that post 138 is wrong. I sent in an application in February of 2009 and got a call in August of 2009. The length of time since your app was sent has nothing to do with with whether or not you will get a call; once received, it will be reviewed when the justice starts moving.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

According to a post on the notification blog, AMK hired a '10 Mich grad for OT-11. If true, this brings to doubt the correctness of 133's post about AMK's hiring practices.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

Where is the AMK hire clerking this year?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

I still think it's atypical. Yes, he did it last year, too. But he didn't do it two years ago, nor (I believe) did he do it the two years before that. The story is that he uses a screening process in general (which he likes) and interviews in the fall/winter, but he is willing to hire *one* early every once in a while if he thinks that person is a superstar.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Kennedy, Anthony McLeod

What do screeners do exactly? Do they channel (and screen)recommendations for the most part, or do they actually sit down and open applications one by one . . .

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How does one apply to a retired Justice? Do you send the application to the Court, or is there a different address?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How does one apply to a retired Justice? Do you send the application to the Court, or is there a different address?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

It's the same mailing address.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

'10 YLS grad for OT11.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

What judge for the '10 YLS grad?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Kavanaugh.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

What about for the Kennedy hire, what judge?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Has AS made any other calls?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Besides Scalia and a couple early hires, has anyone hear of any activity from other justices for OT 2011?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Ginsburg has hired three.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Souter, David Hackett

A vague email just went out to the U Chicago clerkship listserv. Souter just hired a U Chicago alum for OT2010.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

I am doing a dct then a COA clerkship and would love to clerk on the Court. I didn't graduate from a school that traditionally sends clerks to the Court; however, my grades are especially good and my law school is ranked well. Any recommendations for maximizing my chances to receive an interview? Should I apply to feeder judges for a future term? Would two COA clerkships substantially increase my chances? If I do not receive an offer on the Court would two COA clerkships look bad to employers?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Sounds like you'd be a good candidate for Justice Thomas (assuming that's otherwise a good fit). The answer to some of your questions may depend on what you mean by "traditionally."

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

What is "otherwise a good fit"?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

What I meant was that Justice Thomas is the member of the Court most open to hiring clerks from law schools outside the usual suspects. If the previous poster has done really well at a school outside that group, then Justice Thomas would be the natural choice. But, there are other criteria based on which a judge might select a clerk or an applicant might select a clerkship. Someone who is very liberal, for example, might not be that interested in clerking for Justice Thomas, even if he is the justice most likely to consider a candidate from his school. I don't purport to know what his hiring criteria are. I was just reserving the possibility that (a) he likes to hire clerks who have done exceptionally well at schools that don't tend to produce Supreme Court clerks and yet (b) applies at least some additional criteria. What do you think I meant?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

What I mean by “traditional” is a school ranked low T1 or high T2 that has not sent a clerk to the Court recently, if ever. I know what you mean by “otherwise a good fit,” and ideologically speaking I am very much “a good fit” (as an applicant he would be one of my first choices). Is a second clerkship a good idea or would he consider my application with just one COA clerkship?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Of course he has to be a good fit, in addition to whatever other criteria Justices have. I asked what you meant because I thought you know some of justice Thomas's additional hiring criteria, giving you credit that you are not going to say something as general (and superfluous) as what you claim to have actually said.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Another relevant (and relatively transparent) criterion for Thomas is experience: he almost always hires clerks two or more (sometimes many more) years out of law school, and hasn't hired a clerk coming straight off an appellate clerkship in five years or so. At least two of his recent clerks have done two appellate clerkships (and one also did a district clerkship), but he seems to prefer (or perhaps even require) some additional, intervening experience.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Has anyone gotten a call after receiving one of those form acknowledgment letters? I wonder if they send those form letters to those they are seriously considering to call in for an interview.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Not all of the chambers send letters (or postcards), but I'm pretty sure that those who do send them to everyone. Thus, people who got calls probably did get letters (assuming the justice in question sends them), but everyone will get letters that don't turn into calls.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Anyone? Actually?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Yes

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Now that the term's over, should we expect some hiring-related action this week?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

You should expect some sweet vacationing on the part of most justices. But it's fair to expect Scalia to finish hiring soon, if he hasn't already. Breyer's been interviewing a bit already, but he's slow. Otherwise, not much to expect for a while.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Scalia called today.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Offers or interviews?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Two recent hires for OT 2011 are UVA '10 and UVA '08.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

And another for OT 2011 from HLS '10.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Is Scalia done hiring for OT 2011?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Judges?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Two judges are Colloton (HLS) and Sutton (UVA).

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

Who is the fourth judge -- for the other UVA clerk? Or are they both Sutton?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Stevens, John Paul

JPS hired his 1 clerk.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Stevens, John Paul

Judge for the Stevens clerk?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Stevens, John Paul

What school did JPS hire from?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Has anyone heard that Thomas has been interviewing?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

That's his one clerk for OT 2011?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Stevens, John Paul

It has to be. He had already hired one clerk for OT 2010.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Stevens, John Paul

I believe the judge was Boudin for the Stevens hire.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Stevens, John Paul

I believe the judge was Boudin for the Stevens hire.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Thomas, Clarence

Thomas is interviewing. Source of knowledge: friend who has interview.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Sorry, this message should have been for 11-12. Thomas is interviewing. Source of knowledge: friend who has interview.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

hired two clerks today, one for 2011-12, and one for 2012-13. UVa and Northwestern, both Wilkinson clerks.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Wilkinson is becoming the biggest feeder. What is going on?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Are the hires both current Wilkinson clerks or past clerks? Also, Judge Wilkinson has historically been a major feeder. He had a few lower-than-usual years, but it is not too surprising that his clerks have had success.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Wilkinson clerks are both 09-10.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

And which school (UVA/Northwestern) goes with which term (OT2011/OT2012)?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Is it almost impossible to get an interview if your COA judge is not a feeder? It surely seems that way when you look at the stats.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How will she pick her clerks? Will there be time?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Same way as the others. Through recommendations from friends and fellow judges who call up her chambers. The whole application process is probably superfluous anyway.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

How are applicants notified of interviews? Phone or mail?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

It may vary by chambers, but at least some chambers call to schedule an interview. An interviewee will probably be given either a specific day and time or a limited range of options.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Is it ok/customary/harmful for someone to call chambers in support of your application? One of the law professors who wrote you a letter for example, assuming that he does not have a personal connection to chambers.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Others may have a different take, but I would be hesitant to have a professor cold call chambers. It seems like that would be a pretty awkward conversation. If its your judge, I would think that would be a little different (but a judge might be hesitant to cold call a justice).

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

Does anyone know if Justice Sotomayor has hired anyone for the 2011 term? Per ATL, there is a rumor that she has reached out at least to either some former clerks or some of the people who were supposed to clerk for her on the Second Circuit this past year (had she not been elevated). Any truth to that?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

Does anyone know if Justice Sotomayor has hired anyone for the 2011 term? Per ATL, there is a rumor that she has reached out at least to either some former clerks or some of the people who were supposed to clerk for her on the Second Circuit this past year (had she not been elevated). Any truth to that?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

201, see http://blackbooklegal.blogspot.com/2009/08/sotomayors-sweet-deal.html

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

202: That story is virtually the same as what ATL says: there are rumors she has and will continue to extend offers to former clerks.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Scalia, Antonin

http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2010_sum/scotus_clerks.htm

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Sotomayor, Sonia

So perhaps we know that she has agreed to hire her would-be Second Circuit clerks at some point. But do we know whether she has hired any of them for OT2011?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

 Re: Roberts, John Glover Jr.

Hired another HLS '10 -- Judge Garland.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Is August normally quiet?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Most of the justices are out of town, so I imagine we wouldn't hear anything until they come back (around the beginning of the October Term?).

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

I think some of the posts above indicate that people have received calls in August and September in the past. Someone also said that most people that will be hried will hear something by this fall. So I doubt nothing will happen until October.

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)

Anyone hearing anything?

 – Anonymous (Unregistered)