Applying for a clerkship before 1L?

[ESagent]

I will be starting my first year as a part-timer this fall.  Is it worth a shot to be applying for a clerkship starting in the summer/fall without any law school background, or is that not recommended?  Also, if a writing sample is needed, what should I use since I have no legal writing supplements?  Personal statement? A college paper?  Thanks.

[Budlaw]

I will be starting my first year as a part-timer this fall.  Is it worth a shot to be applying for a clerkship starting in the summer/fall without any law school background, or is that not recommended?  Also, if a writing sample is needed, what should I use since I have no legal writing supplements?  Personal statement? A college paper?  Thanks.

I wouldn't recommend it. I doubt you'd even get any type of firm crazy enough to hire you. It would be a giant waste of your time.

[ESagent]

That's what I figured.  Thanks.

[vaplaugh]

I'd go ahead and apply.  It might depend where you're looking to get hired.  Couldn't hurt.

[craven]

If you have a lot of spare time, go for it, but it's doubtful that you'll be doing a lot of "legal" work.  I worked for a couple firms before I went to LS, and did some demand-letter writing and stuff, but I landed those jobs through personal contacts and not a cold resume.

[yongsoo]

Doesn't the ABA frown upon law firms considering first years before December 1?

[jacy85]

NALP says firms can't consider 1Ls before Dec 1, but there are many firms who are not a part of NALP and are therefore not bound by NALP hiring rules.