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Specifically hoping to work at a DA's office within the 5 boroughs and eventually work for the USAO--SDNY or EDNY. So far I'm accepted at Fordham with $$$, Cornell, and Georgetown. A lot has been said about Cornell's strong placement in NYC biglaw, and Georgetown's stong placement in DC PI, but how about their placement for NYC PI? Thanks for any advice.

If you're positive enough that you want to do PI that you would be willing to go to Fordham, you might as well consider yourself positive enough to do PI that you'll be okay relying on GULC's LRAP.

PI placement has less to do with the name of the school and more to do with your resume. Even good grades have less significance than your resume and your legitimate interest in PI. The quality PI you're looking to get place a lot of emphasis on being able to overtly see your passion to be within PI. I do not think the choice of school matters as much.

With that said, USAO, especially for SD/EDNY seem to really hire out of the associates at BigLaw firms. I would say it is becoming the more typical route. I do not know the extent or ease in which a DA position can transfer into a USAO position in NY.

Note also that you are targeting some of the most sought after DA offices in the country, so competition will be fierce.

arodd53 wrote:Specifically hoping to work at a DA's office within the 5 boroughs

Follow the leader? http://manhattanda.org/meet-cy-vance

Redamon1 wrote:

arodd53 wrote:Specifically hoping to work at a DA's office within the 5 boroughs

Follow the leader? http://manhattanda.org/meet-cy-vance

His father was Secretary of State during the Carter Administration. His career path doesn't count.

Also, I honestly think Fordham might be an option here. I don't know much about PI, but if showing a demonstrable interest in PI work is important, then I would imagine the ability to extern during the semester in a NYC office would be a big advantage to you going into the PI market.

The question then becomes whether a PI extern in DC is worse than a PI extern in NYC, as Georgetown would be the obvious answer here if you weren't committed to a location.

Redamon1 wrote:

arodd53 wrote:Specifically hoping to work at a DA's office within the 5 boroughs

Follow the leader? http://manhattanda.org/meet-cy-vance

haha I like the way you're thinking. Thank you guys very much for the info. Doorkeeper, why would Georgetown be the "obvious answer" if location weren't part of the equation?
Booboo, you're absolutely right. I know that I'm competing for some of the toughest jobs to get, and it'll take some good breaks. Gotta dream big though. (Also, great 'tar.)

booboo wrote:PI placement has less to do with the name of the school and more to do with your resume. Even good grades have less significance than your resume and your legitimate interest in PI. The quality PI you're looking to get place a lot of emphasis on being able to overtly see your passion to be within PI. I do not think the choice of school matters as much.

With that said, USAO, especially for SD/EDNY seem to really hire out of the associates at BigLaw firms. I would say it is becoming the more typical route. I do not know the extent or ease in which a DA position can transfer into a USAO position in NY.

Note also that you are targeting some of the most sought after DA offices in the country, so competition will be fierce.

This is what I have gathered from reading the legal employment forum here. Also, that clerkships are very useful. Thus, I would say Cornell for biglaw and clerkship chances.

Thanks for the feedback, Perdevise. Right now I'm thinking I'd rather not pass through biglaw on the way to the USAO (if possible), but that seems to be a very common route. Anyone else have thoughts?

Shameless bump

According to this thread http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=179561 it really depends on the individual USAO office whether biglaw or DA's office would be a better path.

What does $$$ at Fordham mean? I'd probably lean towards Cornell for your lofty USAO goals but there is a lot more risk there depending on how cheap Fordham is.

bk187 wrote:According to this thread http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=179561 it really depends on the individual USAO office whether biglaw or DA's office would be a better path.

What does $$$ at Fordham mean? I'd probably lean towards Cornell for your lofty USAO goals but there is a lot more risk there depending on how cheap Fordham is.

Thanks for the link, that was some good info. To answer your question: $30K per year with no stipulations.

arodd53 wrote:Thanks for the link, that was some good info. To answer your question: $30K per year with no stipulations.

I'd probably take Cornell then. Fordham 130k principle debt, but with interest it's gonna be 150k at graduation. Cornell is expensive and risky, but I don't think Fordham is cheap enough to justify here.