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I was wondering what luck I would have entering the D.C. job market. I am a 3L at a law school in Philadelphia (not Penn), top 20% of class, GPA 3.53, and was on one of the school's other journals. The place I was a SA at didn't extend an offer (wasn't big law). I am interested in a larger private law firm, but feel that ship has sailed.

This might be an uphill climb. Most DC BigLaw firms already have their next crop of associates, and most the deadlines for federal honors programs have come and gone. Would your SA firm be a good reference for you, or did things end badly? Why DC instead of Philly?