I'm pretty flexible as to geography, and I think I have hit most of the right boxes -- good grades from a lower t14 (just outside top 10%), law review executive board, COA clerkship immediately after law school, biglaw. I also have some other softs (basically related to pre-law school experience).
But it is a relatively short time since I graduated from law school. Less than 4 years.
I was planning on waiting at least another year to explore this option, but I noticed (presumably in the wake of the election) that there have been a spate of openings posted by US Atty's offices and thought I'd throw my hat in the ring. For the positions I've applied to, I meet the minimum post-JD requirements, but some of them only just (and I'm generally somewhat short of the "preferred requirements").
Will this make it difficult for me, or is there still hope?
experience required for AUSA Forum
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Re: experience required for AUSA
Speaking as an AUSA: It will probably make it more difficult for you, tbqh, but how much will depend. Given that you clerked and are in biglaw, you probably lack substantive courtroom experience compared to many other candidates (obviously clerking is good, but it's not direct experience). But maybe you have the right people who can say the right things about you. Maybe you've applied to an office/offices that like/are willing to hire the right candidate early, and/or that have a lot of turnover. Maybe your cover letter and writing sample are just really great. I do know a couple of people who have been hired with clerkship + one-two years' practice experience, it's just not common. There are a lot of applicants for each position, so often, offices can find someone with qualifications similar to yours who has more practice experience than you do.
But you can't rule yourself out - you never know who's reading your application and what exactly they're looking for. And lots of people have to apply multiple times, and any experience you can get from earlier applications will be helpful for later ones. You do certainly tick the right boxes for a particular path to AUSA (boxes that I myself don't tick), so applying is totally plausible, but yes, it might be that you'll be more successful in a few years with a little more experience. Or you might get hired now.
But you can't rule yourself out - you never know who's reading your application and what exactly they're looking for. And lots of people have to apply multiple times, and any experience you can get from earlier applications will be helpful for later ones. You do certainly tick the right boxes for a particular path to AUSA (boxes that I myself don't tick), so applying is totally plausible, but yes, it might be that you'll be more successful in a few years with a little more experience. Or you might get hired now.
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Re: experience required for AUSA
Also speaking as an AUSA: if you're set on spending time in a USAO or the DOJ, my advice would be to start applying now and to apply broadly. I similarly lacked experience when I began submitting applications (approx. 4 years out of t-14 law school, good grades, COA clerkship, three years in biglaw). No matter whether you apply now or two years from now there will always be more experienced candidates, especially when it comes to trial/courtroom experience (fwiw i had zero trial experience). Even if you get dinged for your experience, applying now shows interest in the office and will give you a sense a how the process works. With your credentials I also wouldn't be surprised if you landed a fair number of interviews, which is valuable experience in and of itself. I did a number of interviews, and took something from each of them, which I think ultimately helped me in interviewing for my current position. Lastly, I'd reiterate what's said above, you can never rule yourself out. You never know what any given office is looking for to fill any given position. In short, if this is something that you're set on doing then there's no reason not to start applying now... in my opinion at least.
