diff --git a/piker/clearing/__init__.py b/piker/clearing/__init__.py
index 06a9212e..bd95a8ab 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/__init__.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/__init__.py
@@ -18,9 +18,12 @@
 Market machinery for order executions, book, management.
 
 """
+from ..log import get_logger
 from ._client import open_ems
 
 
 __all__ = [
     'open_ems',
 ]
+
+log = get_logger(__name__)
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_client.py b/piker/clearing/_client.py
index 7c79c3ea..14c77d54 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_client.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_client.py
@@ -27,8 +27,10 @@ import trio
 import tractor
 from tractor.trionics import broadcast_receiver
 
+from ._util import (
+    log,  # sub-sys logger
+)
 from ..accounting._mktinfo import unpack_fqme
-from ..log import get_logger
 from ..data.types import Struct
 from ..service import maybe_open_emsd
 from ._messages import (
@@ -44,9 +46,6 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     )
 
 
-log = get_logger(__name__)
-
-
 class OrderBook(Struct):
     '''EMS-client-side order book ctl and tracking.
 
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_ems.py b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
index ffe63292..429c1935 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_ems.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ import trio
 from trio_typing import TaskStatus
 import tractor
 
-from ..log import get_logger
+from ._util import (
+    log,  # sub-sys logger
+)
 from ..data._normalize import iterticks
 from ..accounting._mktinfo import (
     unpack_fqme,
@@ -68,9 +70,6 @@ from ._messages import (
 )
 
 
-log = get_logger(__name__)
-
-
 # TODO: numba all of this
 def mk_check(
 
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py b/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py
index c4c6108d..0fadfeb6 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py
@@ -47,7 +47,9 @@ from ..accounting import (
 )
 from ..data._normalize import iterticks
 from ..accounting._mktinfo import unpack_fqme
-from ..log import get_logger
+from ._util import (
+    log,  # sub-sys logger
+)
 from ._messages import (
     BrokerdCancel,
     BrokerdOrder,
@@ -58,8 +60,6 @@ from ._messages import (
     BrokerdError,
 )
 
-log = get_logger(__name__)
-
 
 class PaperBoi(Struct):
     '''
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_util.py b/piker/clearing/_util.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ec93512d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/piker/clearing/_util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# piker: trading gear for hackers
+# Copyright (C) Tyler Goodlet (in stewardship for pikers)
+
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""
+Sub-sys module commons.
+
+"""
+from functools import partial
+
+from ..log import (
+    get_logger,
+    get_console_log,
+)
+subsys: str = 'piker.clearing'
+
+log = get_logger(subsys)
+
+get_console_log = partial(
+    get_console_log,
+    name=subsys,
+)