Bankruptcy clerkships are an amazing opportunity. Don’t overlook the chance to clerk in an area of the law that has a tendency to touch every other type of law. They are a phenomenal experience for people who want to go into the practice of bankruptcy law and for those who want to broaden that search as well.
Are Bankruptcy clerks as prestigious as other federal clerkships?
All federal clerkships are prestigious, but some are more prestigious than others. How prestigious a clerkship is turn on the court, the reputation of the judge, and the location of the clerkship. For this reason, it is impossible to provide an exact ranking of clerkships. Article III courts are often considered more prestigious than Article I courts, but there are many exceptions depending on what your long-term goals are. Most employers look favorably on clerkships and consider federal clerkships of any kind to be prestigious.
If I do a bankruptcy clerkship, will I only be able to practice in bankruptcy afterwards?
No. You will build significant bankruptcy expertise, but you will also learn about several other areas of law including consumer law, real estate, IP, Employment, Labor, Family and probate, and environmental law. Many bankruptcy court clerks go on to transactional practice, particularly in debt financing.
If I want to do transactional law, will a bankruptcy clerkship be helpful?
Absolutely. Business bankruptcies often include court-approved financing agreements, asset sales, and other transactions. You will have more first-hand deals experience in a bankruptcy court than in any other kind of clerkship.
If I want to be a litigator will a bankruptcy clerkship be helpful?
Yes! Bankruptcy courts hear many adversary proceedings and other actions that are trials just like you would see in a district court.
What do lawyers do after a bankruptcy clerkship – i.e. where do they work?
They work in all kinds of practices and in all kinds of settings. You will even see former bankruptcy court clerks in-house in banks and consulting firms.
For a bankruptcy clerkship, are there locations that are more prestigious?
The courts that hear the so-called “mega” cases are considered the most prestigious. These have historically been SDNY and Delaware, but many large cases pass through EDVA, Nevada, and elsewhere.
Who is a good candidate for a bankruptcy clerkship?
Any student who wants to clerk who is interested in bankruptcy, finance, and/or consumer law.
I haven’t taken Bankruptcy, can I still apply for a bankruptcy clerkship?
Yes. While it is better to have taken or plan to take bankruptcy and secured transactions, we have had several students hired without having taken either class.