I'd like to think I am important and influential enough to have inspired this opinion piece (WSJ subscribers only -- if you have Westlaw access, 2002 WL-WSJ 3403839). Of course, I know that is entirely untrue -- most judges don't really surf the web for kicks. It's even less likely that they're huge blog fans. But you never know, do you? (We do know that I am entirely too self-important. I just like to say I have good self-esteem.)

But I digress. The current defectors are (according to the Federal Law Clerk Information System): Justices Chester J. Straub (2nd), Jerry Smith (5th), and C. Arlen Beam (8th).

Iffy: Justice Raymond C. Clevenger (Federal - note that "being consistent with the federal hiring plan" means only to not hire clerks until 3L fall). All other appellate judges that have opened hiring for 2004-2005 positions are only hiring 3Ls or those who have already completed district clerkships.