In addition to the sheer importance of the role played by clerks in the judicial process, here are additional facts underscoring the significance of Judge Aileen Cannon having two (or more) clerks quit on her:

1. A federal district judge usually hires only two to three law clerks each year, so for two clerks to quit is quite notable. It’s nothing like a few associates quitting a 1,000-lawyer firm. And Judge Cannon, who took the bench in November 2020, has been a judge for less than four years—so she’s probably had a total of only eight to twelve clerks over her entire tenure.

2. As followers of the clerkship world well know, it’s highly unusual for a clerk to quit on a judge. Because a federal judicial clerkship typically lasts one year and is an extremely valuable credential, most clerks will “ride it out” instead of quitting, even if they’re miserable or have issues with their judge. The clerkship lasts only a year; the résumé value lasts for a career. For a law clerk to quit before the year is up often involves an extremely unpleasant situation in chambers.

3. As current and former judges and clerks can tell you, it’s highly disruptive to the work of a chambers when even one clerk quits, to say nothing of two. Judges in busy districts like the Southern District of Florida have heavy caseloads, but only two to three law clerks to help them handle all that work. To be short-staffed for even a brief period of time can generate a backlog very quickly.