Clerkship Chat

Per commenter request, I'm creating this thread to let students ask questions about the unpleasant clerkship application process and to let alums share words of wisdom. I don't have any unique advice. I'll just echo what CDO emphasizes: be shameless about working every connection you can possibly think of. Getting your resume to the top of the pile is half the battle. Otherwise, cross your fingers, say a prayer, wish upon a star, do a clerkship rain dance, etc. Good luck!

In a word

A commenter asks in the thread below:  "Has this blog died down or is it just me?"  Well, I can't speak for others, but personally, I've seen a lot of material that I've wanted to write about, but haven't had the time to put together any intelligent thoughts on the subjects, e.g. Dewey collapse, comparing punishment in sports to theories of criminal justice, KINGS!!!!!!, stupid Berkeley bureaucracy punishing a kid for being creative, Boalties getting a shout-out in the California Lawyer Magazine for challenging said inane stupid bureaucracy in a different context (hmmmmm...a sequel?), qualified immunity for Yoo, etc.  That's not to say that if I even had the time I could string together any intelligent thoughts at all. 

All that said, a conversation earlier today with co-blogger L'Alex reminded me that a large number of the current crop of bloggers are graduating.  L'Alex professed to singing, "I got 99 problems but a [test] ain't one."  True enough.  Though I imagine once Bar/Bri starts, the focus will be on issue spotting the song for Crim Pro:

"Do you mind if I look round the car a little bit?"
Well my glove compartment is locked so is the trunk and the back
And I know my rights so you gon' need a warrant for that
"Aren't you sharp as a tack are some type of lawyer or something?"
"Or somebody important or something?"
Nah I ain't passed the bar but I know a little bit
Enough that you won't illegally search my shit
"Well see how smart you are when the K-9's come"

While summer here at N&B tends to focus on bar preparation and Bar/Bri in particular, there are other classes going into exciting summers.  Second years are probably wondering what's expected of summer associates.  And first years are probably going through that awkward phase of using legal jargon in their normal lives. 

So, whether you're about to walk across that stage, work with an assistant for the first time, draft your first bench memo, or embark on the deadly experience of searching for an apartment in Berkeley as an admitted student, congratulations.  You've all earned it.  Consider this an open thread to discuss anything and everything.