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So, I'm not terribly familiar with the whole USAO process, but from what i understand, USAO in general--and SDNY//NDCA/CDCA in particular--are supposed to be ridiculously competitive. And the civil division within these offices are, from what I understand, even harder. So I don't quite understand how I've already gotten interviews with each of the three offices (the only 3 USAOs I applied to) (and the civil divisions within each of them). I'm at HYS, but I don't have very much in terms of a resume: came straight from college (although I did have a considerable amount of leadership positions while there), no specialized background (i.e. not engineering or finance, etc.)...so, do they just do a ton of these interviews? Or does getting an interview mean you have a good shot or what exactly? I guess I'm just confused because if theyre as competitive as people make them out to be, I'm sure there are a ton of people from HYS (+ CCN) who have much more interesting resumes than me, so I'm just

If anybody has any info that would be nice

Do you mean for a summer? Because they don't hire new grads.

Yeah, was thinking the same thing Renzo said. They take people for the summer, and if you're looking to go back later it can help show a commitment to prosecution and the USAO in general if you did that. But I'm pretty sure they don't hire straight out of school, no exceptions. Getting a full-time position there is competitive, but I have no idea about summer internships.

Renzo wrote:Do you mean for a summer? Because they don't hire new grads.

Yeah, just 1L summer clerkship, so nothing huge but still from what I've been told, these aren't that easy to come by.

I was at a large USAO this past summer, and while its competitive to get a position, its certainly easier than a 1L firm job, though probably a littler harder than a district court or state-level court internship. I think they normally hire at January career fairs at top-20 schools (most of my fellow interns got their positions that way), so by applying earlier you have a step up on other 1Ls. Just be personable in the interview, and convince them that you're willing to work hard. From my experience (in the Civil Division), they really rely on interns to help with the the sheer number of cases they receive. You end up doing a ton of writing, normally writing the first draft of summary judgment and Rule 12(b) motions, and don't be surprised by working until 630-7 most nights, and sometimes even later. Still, the experience was great, and it will provide you with some great stories for 2L firm interviews.

It's competitive, but not unrealistic. If you got an interview, you've got a chance. Your grades will matter, and so will your ability to sell yourself as being really interested in the work. Don't worry about your light resume, they won't really care about that.

I spent my 1L summer at one of these offices (albeit in Criminal Division), and became very close with the AUSA that ran the summer program. Not to get your hopes up too much, but if things remain the same as when I was there, the job should be yours to lose. As far as I know they only interviewed people they planned on hiring, and interviews were more of a way to make sure that your personality/interests/ect. are a good fit.

Good luck!

Anonymous User wrote:I spent my 1L summer at one of these offices (albeit in Criminal Division), and became very close with the AUSA that ran the summer program. Not to get your hopes up too much, but if things remain the same as when I was there, the job should be yours to lose. As far as I know they only interviewed people they planned on hiring, and interviews were more of a way to make sure that your personality/interests/ect. are a good fit.

Good luck!

I'll take the flip side. My sister got an interview at the USAO for her 1L summer (though not SDNY/NDCA), had a really good interview and didn't get hired. She also spoke to a girl at her school who had the same thing happen the year before. So it's not like you're guaranteed the job just because you get an interview. However, two caveats: 1) She didn't go to HYS (although I'd say the office she interviewed at wasn't as competitive) and 2) This was pretty much right before the US Attorney scandals broke and she had political stuff on her resume.

Anonymous User wrote:So, I'm not terribly familiar with the whole USAO process, but from what i understand, USAO in general--and SDNY//NDCA/CDCA in particular--are supposed to be ridiculously competitive. And the civil division within these offices are, from what I understand, even harder. So I don't quite understand how I've already gotten interviews with each of the three offices (the only 3 USAOs I applied to) (and the civil divisions within each of them). I'm at HYS, but I don't have very much in terms of a resume: came straight from college (although I did have a considerable amount of leadership positions while there), no specialized background (i.e. not engineering or finance, etc.)...so, do they just do a ton of these interviews? Or does getting an interview mean you have a good shot or what exactly? I guess I'm just confused because if theyre as competitive as people make them out to be, I'm sure there are a ton of people from HYS (+ CCN) who have much more interesting resumes than me, so I'm just

If anybody has any info that would be nice

Why apply only to SDNY and not to EDNY as well?

vamedic03 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:So, I'm not terribly familiar with the whole USAO process, but from what i understand, USAO in general--and SDNY//NDCA/CDCA in particular--are supposed to be ridiculously competitive. And the civil division within these offices are, from what I understand, even harder. So I don't quite understand how I've already gotten interviews with each of the three offices (the only 3 USAOs I applied to) (and the civil divisions within each of them). I'm at HYS, but I don't have very much in terms of a resume: came straight from college (although I did have a considerable amount of leadership positions while there), no specialized background (i.e. not engineering or finance, etc.)...so, do they just do a ton of these interviews? Or does getting an interview mean you have a good shot or what exactly? I guess I'm just confused because if theyre as competitive as people make them out to be, I'm sure there are a ton of people from HYS (+ CCN) who have much more interesting resumes than me, so I'm just

If anybody has any info that would be nice

Why apply only to SDNY and not to EDNY as well?

This is a good point. Actually, everyone I've talked to liked the EDNY experience better.

sdny/edny occasionally consider hiring scotus clerks straight out...but very rarely do

a lot of people have usao internships. when they hire for full time they care mostly about what firm you went to and recs from former ausa's. also, isn't crim harder than civil? most people want to do white-collar ausa at sdny to go back to a firm as partner...they put you thru a year of drug cases tho or else the revolving door thing would be too obvious..the white-collar track has got to be the most competitive one, imo...

and if people like edny better ^ is probably why

underdawg wrote:sdny/edny occasionally consider hiring scotus clerks straight out...but very rarely do

a lot of people have usao internships. when they hire for full time they care mostly about what firm you went to and recs from former ausa's. also, isn't crim harder than civil? most people want to do white-collar ausa at sdny to go back to a firm as partner...they put you thru a year of drug cases tho or else the revolving door thing would be too obvious..the white-collar track has got to be the most competitive one, imo...

and if people like edny better ^ is probably why

One of the big reasons people like EDNY better is because the courts allow the interns to stand and argue small motions, etc. This is a rare privilege, and isn't allowed in SDNY.

more like tttdny

underdawg wrote:more like tttdny

Depends what you want.

Organized crime=EDNY
Financial crime=SDNY

Renzo wrote:

underdawg wrote:more like tttdny

Depends what you want.

Organized crime=EDNY
Financial crime=SDNY

Of course, if you really are interested in USAO's, you should be applying to EDVA - national security + financial crime

vamedic03 wrote:

Renzo wrote:

underdawg wrote:more like tttdny

Depends what you want.

Organized crime=EDNY
Financial crime=SDNY

Of course, if you really are interested in USAO's, you should be applying to EDVA - national security + financial crime

And the only district in the country that will indict adult pornography cases

Renzo wrote:

vamedic03 wrote:

Renzo wrote:

underdawg wrote:more like tttdny

Depends what you want.

Organized crime=EDNY
Financial crime=SDNY

Of course, if you really are interested in USAO's, you should be applying to EDVA - national security + financial crime

And the only district in the country that will indict adult pornography cases

Could make for interesting trial prep work. FWIW, EDVA is trying to increase their number of financial crime prosecutions and b/c of their location (Northern Virginia), they can get jurisdiction over virtually every publicly traded corporation.

vamedic03 wrote: EDVA is trying to increase their number of financial crime prosecutions and b/c of their location (Northern Virginia), they can get jurisdiction over virtually every publicly traded corporation.

I'm missing the connection...

I am committed to USAO SDNY for my 2L summer, and so is one of my classmates. We are both in the top 1%. I am primary journal and he is secondary / specialty. Not the school you are thinking of.

cool story

AlasLavinia wrote:I am committed to USAO SDNY for my 2L summer, and so is one of my classmates. We are both in the top 1%. I am primary journal and he is secondary / specialty. Not the school you are thinking of.

Oh yeah? Well I once fought an alligator to the death, and I have my own TV show.

I'm sorry? The information I provided responded directly to the questions asked by the OP.

AlasLavinia wrote:I'm sorry? The information I provided responded directly to the questions asked by the OP.

Q: "How difficult is it to get in shape for a marathon? Do most people finish the first marathon they enter?"

A: "I ran a marathon once. I'm really fast."


See what I did there?

OP asked how competitive a particular placement was. I told him the specific and relevant credentials of two people who have been successful at obtaining the placement. Since the USAO doesn't release statistics for successful candidates, or post specific screening requirements, this is the best information I can provide.

Yes, if you want to run a marathon, get fast.

I currently work at one of those offices (not in the AUSA capacity) and I will tell you it's very very competitive to get placement. An email recently went out telling AUSAs not to recommend anymore people for the program because they were already too full up (in other words, even if you have a connection to our office and somebody gunning for you to get it, you still might not have a foot in the door). So I really wouldn't not presume you are in or even have a great shot just because you are being interviewed. As far as the work goes, I've seen interns given assignments to do doc review, work on trial prep, sit in on relators' meetings and depos, write a TON of legal research memos (on some very interesting issues as well, a lot of bankruptcy, other financial, and environmental stuff is happening right now), or to write motions. So it is definitely very substantive experience if you can get it.


Best of luck to you.