""My understanding is that there were students in my section who, through Fed Soc, had clerkships lined up the fall of 1L. There is no liberal student for whom that's the case.""
""Fall of 1L. As in, 'no exams yet.' But if a student has dutifully done their part to enthusiastically cheer the speaker discussing why America needs fewer minorities, you might just earn a coveted clerkship before the class reaches Palsgraf.""
""Judges breaking away from 'the plan' to recruit students earlier in their law school careers isn't new. Every attempt to reach a mutually agreed upon schedule for clerkship applications has devolved into a free-for-all as some judges defect to secure first dibs on the talent pool.""
""The ideological divide is new, and reflects shifting priorities as conservative judges increasingly prioritize philosophy and connections over scholarly success.""
At Harvard Law, two flavors of federal clerkship have emerged: one prioritizing consistent academic success and another emphasizing ideological commitment from the 1L year. Moderate and liberal judges select rising 3Ls based on academic resumes, while conservative judges hire students early based on Federalist Society affiliations. This trend highlights a shift where conservative judges value connections and ideology over academic merit, leading to a significant divide in hiring practices. The situation reflects broader changes in the GOP's approach to qualifications and experience during the Trump administration.
Read at Above the Law
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