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State Appellate/Supreme Level

I got a call the other day asking me to come into the judge's chambers next week. Luckily, it's only about an hour's drive away from where I live. I asked the judicial assistant what I should bring to the meeting (she didn't call it an interview) and he said, "oh, [Judge/Justice X] just wants to talk with you."

I interviewed about three weeks ago. The judge said she would make a decision by October and had other candidates.

Career services has been useless in trying to tell me the hiring practices of this judge, no one from my school has ever interviewed with her. So, anyone have an idea what to expect? Is the judge looking for more info from me to narrow choices? Is she trying to let me down easy in person (this would be cruel IMHO)? Or, should I possibly be expecting an in-person offer?

Truly a question, not an anonymous humble brag. I swear.

Was there any indication there would be a second interview?

It's completely possible the judge is having trouble picking between candidates. One judge I clerked for told me about how he simply could not pick between two candidates, so he had them both come in and do a writing sample, and whoever did better got the job. This is a possibility, but I'd imagine they'd tell you beforehand.

Or maybe she just wants to interview you on some things you didn't cover in your first interview.

I have been there and I would bet that the choice has come down to you and one or two others and the judge wants to talk to the finalists in an effort to break the tie.

Since you haven't been asked for any more writing samples, my guess would be that it comes down to which candidate's personality would fit best with that of the judge and the other chambers personnel.

My advice - don't force anything, just be yourself and be nice to the other people in chambers that you may meet.

Hope that helps.

Opinions_R_Us wrote:... I would bet that the choice has come down to you and one or two others and the judge wants to talk to the finalists in an effort to break the tie. ....my guess would be that it comes down to which candidate's personality would fit best with that of the judge and the other chambers personnel.

OP here. This was correct. Hour informal interview, went pretty well, was told a strong prof rec and post-interview follow up conversation with her and the fact that I interviewed first was the reason I was brought back. The judge didn't want me to suffer from being first and less memorable.

I hope the second interview wasn't just to satisfy my prof, who the judge knows, that her call to the judge did nothing.

Said I'd get a call either way in a few days.

Sounds pretty good to me. Good luck.

Opinions_R_Us wrote:My advice - don't force anything, just be yourself and be nice to the other people in chambers that you may meet.

OP here, this worked. I got an offer. Very relieved after hundreds of applications. Thanks for indulging my question.

Congrats!!

Congrats! Good work.

Congratulations! That is a GREAT opportunity.

Anonymous User wrote:

Opinions_R_Us wrote:My advice - don't force anything, just be yourself and be nice to the other people in chambers that you may meet.

OP here, this worked. I got an offer. Very relieved after hundreds of applications. Thanks for indulging my question.

Congratulations! Being a law clerk is the best job in the law - unfortunately it is usually also your first job in the law so it may be downhill after that <smile>.

Opinions_R_Us wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Opinions_R_Us wrote:My advice - don't force anything, just be yourself and be nice to the other people in chambers that you may meet.

OP here, this worked. I got an offer. Very relieved after hundreds of applications. Thanks for indulging my question.

Congratulations! Being a law clerk is the best job in the law - unfortunately it is usually also your first job in the law so it may be downhill after that <smile>.

I'll agree that it's the best job I've had so far, but with all respect, I think you have the best job.

Opinions_R_Us wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Opinions_R_Us wrote:My advice - don't force anything, just be yourself and be nice to the other people in chambers that you may meet.

OP here, this worked. I got an offer. Very relieved after hundreds of applications. Thanks for indulging my question.

Congratulations! Being a law clerk is the best job in the law - unfortunately it is usually also your first job in the law so it may be downhill after that <smile>.

Thanks! I found your earlier thread very helpful. For a while, until I narrowed it down, I had a suspicion you were the judge I interned with my 1L summer, but some of the details didn't fit right. Best of luck!

Grats

Anonymous User wrote:

Opinions_R_Us wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Opinions_R_Us wrote:My advice - don't force anything, just be yourself and be nice to the other people in chambers that you may meet.

OP here, this worked. I got an offer. Very relieved after hundreds of applications. Thanks for indulging my question.

Congratulations! Being a law clerk is the best job in the law - unfortunately it is usually also your first job in the law so it may be downhill after that <smile>.

I'll agree that it's the best job I've had so far, but with all respect, I think you have the best job.

Touche! I really can't dispute that.