Advice Needed - different firm options and unique situation Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey everyone,
I'm in a unique situation going through on-campus interviews, given that roughly one and a half years after I graduate, I will begin serving (99% guaranteed) in a 4.5-year position with the government that will provide substantive legal aid and trial experience. After this four-year position is over, if I don't want to stay in that job, I'd like to exit and try to get into 1) an AUSA position or DOJ position, 2) a state-level prosecution position in the VA / MD / PA / NC / DE area, or 3) a federal-level clerkship that would hopefully help me get into (1) or (2) or end up in a strong law firm in this region (think Hunton Williams, Venables, mcguirewoods, etc.).

So what I'm looking for is a summer / full-time job with a firm that will best help me achieve one of these goals after I work there for one year, and after my four-year stint with the govt. is over. In other words, this is not a thread about where will I find the most fulfilling career or best chance of making partner - it's purely about which firm is the best to work in for a summer and roughly a year full-time (think resume-boosting, exit options, etc). I'd like to be in Virginia / DC / MD / NC long-term, and preferably litigation / govt. prosecution long-term.

Here are the options (some of these are not yet offers but just callbacks):
Skadden (1/2 in DC and NY)
Covington (DC)
Sidley Austin (DC)
Davis Polk (NY)
S&C (1/2 DC and NY)
Debevoise (NY)
Quinn (NY)
Arnold and Porter (DC)
Cleary (NY)
Paul Weiss (NY)

Help me cull the list. I feel incredibly grateful to be in this situation, but I need advice.

[Anonymous User]

OP here - shameless bump / question: why Davis Polk? Should I be giving more credence to DC firms if I want to end up in the DC area or surrounding states long-term? Or does it not matter?

[Actus Reus]

What program is this? It probably helps to know its scope to better decide the firm.

[Anonymous User]

OP here - the program is akin to Air Force JAG

[Elston Gunn]

I don't think you should rely on the poll too much. A lot of people won't even read your post. You want to be in the DC long term and have offers from two of the DC top dogs. Choose one of them. Covington is the slightly more "prestigious," but I can't imagine you'd regret going to A&P either if you liked it better.