For years, law students interested in clerkships were directed to send in their applications in February. In accordance with guidelines instituted by the Federal Judicial Conference, all applications received before that date were supposedly tossed out. But according to current federal clerks, many judges routinely ignored the deadline, extending offers to promising clerk candidates by December or January. Virtuous judges, to quote a clerk, "often found themselves screwed." In 1999, the Conference officially scrapped the February requirement - and now, prospective clerks can send in their applications whenever they like.

"Some law schools have tried to institute their own deadlines by asking professors not to issue recommendations before a certain date," says one current clerk. "But not all professors care, and many judges will take your application anyway, before the recommendations come in. In November, we're already getting applications and will start interviewing soon."

In general, federal appellate clerkships are considered more prestigious; appellate judges are permitted three clerks, district judges, two, and trial magistrates, one. "If you want to be an academic, then appellate is best," says a clerk. "But if you want to be a litigator, district is the way to go. You can see the litigation from the judge's side, which is a very rare thing." While state judges also take on clerks, "it's not as good, because they normally specialize in one kind of case, while federal judges get everything."

Judges want much the same thing as firms do: "Good grades, good recommendations. Some judges like clerks with varied work experience. Membership in a journal is important, because you will generally be doing research and writing as a clerk." As for the application process, it's "pretty easy. A resume and cover letter, two or three recommendations, and a five to 10 page writing sample."

Though applying for a clerkship is relatively easy, landing the clerkship job of your dreams is anything but. Competition can be steep; it is not unusual for judges to receive "between 5000 and 10,000 applications for a handful of slots." One clerk cautions that "if you didn't go to a name school, it's much harder to get an interview. If you got a fellowship, make sure you put that on the very top of your resume." Clerks recommend that you send in resumes "early, so they get looked at early."