BigFed or 2/9/DC clerkship? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I wish people would stop saying "especially 2/9/DC." Those circuits aren't magic - they're competitive *to get* b/c they include major cities where a lot of lawyers want to live and they probably have a fair concentration of feeders/prominent judges. But to the extent they're going to open doors that any other clerkship wouldn't, that's going to be based on the judge (feeder? semi-feeder? just super connected in your preferred field) rather than the circuit number.

That's not to say that a COA can't open doors, just that 2/9/DC don't magically open more doors than the other circuits, even if a given judge might. (I get the pride thing, OP, because those circuits often are more sought after by applicants so it's a lot of competition. But I don't think that translates into increased exit options.)

Quoting for emphasis - this analysis is so frequently turned on its head on this board. 2/9/DC is not going to open more doors for you to go work at Williams & Connolly or whatever if you decide you want to, relative to 1/3/4/5/6/7/8/10/11. 2/9/DC is shorthand for more competitive because they have an unusual SCOTUS feeder concentration and they are where people want to live. But more competitive in application doesn’t equal better on your resume afterward.

[Anonymous User]

I think for someone in the government-adjacent elite litigation space, the phrase “2/9/DC” doesn’t make a ton of sense. My impression is that DC Cir. packs much more of a punch to people in those circles (esp. in DC) than, say, a non-feeder judge in the Second or Ninth Circuits. I’m especially skeptical if we’re talking, say, Vermont or Nevada or something.

[Anonymous User]

Just piling on what seems to be the emerging consensus, but I think most people understand that SDNY/DDC/NDCA is as competitive as most non-feedery COAs, especially if you're with a highly-regarded judge, so the added value of a COA is lower for you. Obviously if we're talking David Tatel you should strongly consider going to work for Tatel if you can but I'm assuming your gig is a more run-of-the-mill one (as far as any COA gig can be called run-of-the-mill).