Clerkship vs. BigLaw: Can You Do Both?

One of the most common questions law students ask is whether they should clerk or go straight to BigLaw. The answer for most people is that you can do both, and doing so is one of the strongest career moves available.

How it typically works

The standard path is: law school, then a one- or two-year clerkship, then BigLaw. Most firms will hold your offer while you clerk, meaning you accept a BigLaw offer during 2L recruiting and then defer your start date to complete your clerkship.

Some associates go the other direction: BigLaw first, then a clerkship, then back to BigLaw. This is less common but happens, particularly for associates who want to transition into litigation.

The clerkship bonus

BigLaw firms pay clerkship bonuses to associates who clerk before joining. These bonuses are on top of your regular salary and signing bonus:

• Federal district court: $50,000-$75,000
• Federal circuit court: $75,000-$100,000
• Supreme Court: $300,000-$500,000+ at some firms

These are one-time payments when you join the firm. Firms like Cravath, Wachtell, and Williams & Connolly are known for top-of-market clerkship bonuses.

Why clerk?

Beyond the bonus, clerking gives you:

• Substantive legal writing experience that makes you a better lawyer
• A close-up view of how judges think, which is invaluable for litigators
• A prestigious credential that opens doors for your entire career
• A year or two of manageable hours before the BigLaw grind begins
• Relationships with other clerks who become a powerful professional network

When clerking might not make sense

Clerking is less valuable if you are certain you want to do transactional work. Corporate associates rarely use courtroom skills, and the opportunity cost of one to two years of lower pay (clerk salaries are roughly $80,000-$100,000) is significant when you have large student loans.

If you are focused on M&A, private equity, or capital markets, going straight to BigLaw and building deal experience may be the better move.

How to plan for both

If you want to clerk and do BigLaw, start early. Apply to clerkships during your 2L fall (or earlier for some federal judges). Coordinate with your BigLaw firm's recruiting coordinator about deferral timelines. Most firms are very accommodating because they view clerkships as a credential that benefits the firm.

Browse the firm directory to see which firms offer the best clerkship bonuses and have the strongest support for clerking associates.