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I am a 1L who is interested in going into appellate law post-graduation. Is it possible to get a job in that area right out of law school? What classes would be most helpful? Do grades matter? I know that I should try to do Moot Court and/or a journal so I'm looking for more specific advice than that, if possible. Thanks!

lnh819 wrote:I am a 1L who is interested in going into appellate law post-graduation. Is it possible to get a job in that area right out of law school? What classes would be most helpful? Do grades matter? I know that I should try to do Moot Court and/or a journal so I'm looking for more specific advice than that, if possible. Thanks!

Grades always matter. This field of law will be more likely if you are COA clerk, etc. So one of the big questions is where you go to school.

I go to a regional TTT(T) and will probably end up around the middle of my class by graduation.

lnh819 wrote:I go to a regional TTT(T) and will probably end up around the middle of my class by graduation.

Depends on what you mean by "appellate law." If you mean you want to be working on issues that go to SCOTUS, you're almost certainly fried. That field is dominated by a very small bar of highly respected figures, previous SCOTUS clerks, and people who know very important people.

If you mean you want to work in private practice on appellate issues that go to state and federal courts of appeals, that can mean a LOT of things. Big commercial appeals are usually handled by BigLaw firms or by appellate boutiques that also incredibly competitive to break into. People who do smaller (but still lucrative) appeals typically are alumni of the former group and wanted a better work-life balance. If you want to do very small appeals, it is going to be a tough time making money off it.

If you mean doing appeals in a local government position, that can be doable. More about connections and showing a demonstrated interest. For instance, working in an appellate position at a District Attorney's office. This is about hustling and writing well.

Thanks for the advice, Citizen Genet!

The local ADA is apparently looking for an appellate prosecutor. Something like that might be a good option in a few years. Right now, I'm hustling for any sort of judicial internship in my town during the summer. Hopefully, I get one - maybe even in an appellate court - and can start cultivating some contacts at the local courthouse.

I've done stints in exclusive appellate (criminal) lit and currently work in (BigLaw) civil litigation - mostly trial with some appeals mixed in. What attracts you to appellate lit? Are you interested in civil or criminal, or just criminal?