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Hi all,

I have a second round usao interview in the district where I fedclerked. I have a great relationship with my judge. He knows I have this interview. Still, he hasn’t offered to call the USA. I haven’t asked directly, but he has said that they don’t have a relationship (although he did with the former one). Will the lack of this call hurt me? Should I be pushing him to make a call anyway? FWIW, he has called circuit judges on my behalf in the past, so I don’t think it’s a me issue.

Thanks

I wouldn't push it. Lots of judges don't feel comfortable actively making calls about hiring to offices that will be appearing in front of them, out of concern than it will look like they're using their position to try to influence others (which is why calling circuit judges is very different, there's no potential conflict).

Also I don't think it will hurt you that he's not actively reaching out to call. Both USAOs where I've been hired, the office actively reached out to my references, including the judge I clerked for. If they want to talk to your judge they will call (assuming he's a reference). Because so many judges won't reach out directly, I don't think it looks at all bad for your judge not to reach out.

(like, mayyyyyybe if your judge has frequently made calls to that office to promote other applicants and now isn't for you, someone might raise an eyebrow, but that seems really unlikely.)

Anonymous User wrote:I wouldn't push it. Lots of judges don't feel comfortable actively making calls about hiring to offices that will be appearing in front of them, out of concern than it will look like they're using their position to try to influence others (which is why calling circuit judges is very different, there's no potential conflict).

Also I don't think it will hurt you that he's not actively reaching out to call. Both USAOs where I've been hired, the office actively reached out to my references, including the judge I clerked for. If they want to talk to your judge they will call (assuming he's a reference). Because so many judges won't reach out directly, I don't think it looks at all bad for your judge not to reach out.

(like, mayyyyyybe if your judge has frequently made calls to that office to promote other applicants and now isn't for you, someone might raise an eyebrow, but that seems really unlikely.)

OP here. That was an extremely helpful post. Thank you.