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A lot of people say that if you can secure 1L SA, you should (b/c...it pays, potentially no OCI, etc).

Then, a judicial internship is the next best gig.

But the timelines don't exactly match up these. Most judges hire fairly early in January in comparison to firms. And if and when you get a judicial internship, you're expected (I think) to accept on the spot.

So what's the deal here? If you're hoping to get a 1L SA, should you rule out securing a competitive judicial internship?

It's more like do a 1L SA if you get one for a chance at securing post grad employment, and then do anything else that's legal. There's no heirarchy of prestige for 1L jobs.

Also, state judges often fill slots way later than federal judges. So you can try for a 1L SA then do state judge applications if it doesn't work out.