<p>So, does what are the prerequisites for becoming a member of the judiciary? I know, it's a loaded question and not easily answered, but everyone going to law school seems focused on private practice or litigation, but not becoming a judge, so I thought I'd get the ball rolling. </p>
<p>So how does one do it? I know going to a top law school helps. I'm guessing a presitigious law clerk job would also help, but the rest is vague. Can one become a judge after the clerkship? Or do people usually work first? How does one become eligible for appointment?</p>
<p>federal court judges are appointed. state and local court judges are often elected. in either case, political connections are probably at least as important as legal ability. i don't really see it as a career goal for someone right out of law school nor for many years thereafter.</p>
<p>There is no fast track to becoming a judge. Few make it to be bench before they're in their late thirties. </p>
<p>In many places, the most typical path for becoming a judge is to toil for a number of years in the district attorney's office. There are a lot more people toiling in those offices, though, than there are judges.</p>
<p>They used to say the surest way to become a judge is to room with a future governor in law school.</p>
<p>There are different kinds of judges. For example, it's possible to get a job as a judge at the NYC Parking Violations Bureau without much in the way of legal experience or connections. On the other hand, it's very competitive to get a federal judgeship. </p>
<p>In any event, you need to look at the judge positions you are interested in and see what those judges had done previously. In many areas, the county prosecutor's office is a big feeder for the bench. Another route is to be a private practice attorney who is active in party politics.</p>
<p>It's also worth asking yourself why you want to be a judge. The pay is lousy for an attorney with that kind of experience; you can't turn down annoying cases; you have to deal with attorneys BSing you all day long; your life is subject to intense scrutiny. Not only that, but what if you get assigned a mob case or a terrorism case and your kids need bodyguards?</p>
<p>The main compensation for all that hassle is that you get a lot of prestige and power over other people. If you enjoy that, then fine. Personally, I prefer freedom.</p>
<p>There's a real difference (alluded to by lskinner) between being an "ALJ" (an administrative law judge) and a "judge," perhaps comparable to the difference between being an NCO (noncomissioned officer) and an officer in the army.</p>
<p>It's true that judges (federal or state) make a lot less money than the most highly remunerated attorneys, and that state judges generally make less money than the most highly remunerated first-year associates at a handful of firms in a handful of cities. Perhaps it's no coincidence that many judges come to the bench from public sector jobs where the pay is more modest. </p>
<p>The retirement benefits make up somewhat for the salaries.</p>
<p>The daily reality of being a judge is that you go to work in a room every day where other people are only allowed to speak when you say they can, where you are given a seat and a desk several feet high than anyone else's to indicate your "elevated" status, and where you have the power to fine or send them to jail for being rude to you.</p>
<p>Being an Article 3 federal judge also means that you can't be fired. Your removal requires impeachment by the house, and conviction of "high crimes and misdemeanors" by a super majority of the senate. This has only happened six times in history, if memory serves.</p>
<p>Much of your work is considered newsworthy by the press. Your written opinions get bound into books; some of them and are studied and cited by attorneys for years to come.</p>
<p>All in all, it's a heady brew.</p>
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The daily reality of being a judge is that you go to work in a room every day where other people are only allowed to speak when you say they can, where you are given a seat and a desk several feet high than anyone else's to indicate your "elevated" status, and where you have the power to fine or send them to jail for being rude to you.
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<p>On the other hand, a judge has to take pretty much every case assigned to him or her. As a mere solo attorney in private practice, I have almost unlimited power to turn down matters and clients that seem like they will be a pain in my ***.</p>
<p>Also, the practical reality is that judges must endure a lot of nonsense from the attorneys and litigants who appear before him or her. </p>
<p>But here's a thought: If you really want to be a judge, try moderating a messageboard for a while and see how you like it. See if you enjoy having people playing games with you all the time; see if you enjoy having your decisions constantly criticized and second guessed; see if the power is worth all the agita.</p>