Value of Dist. Ct. after COA for alum Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am a 2013 grad, working in NYC, and will begin a COA clerkship this summer. I would like to do a Dist Ct clerkship immediately after that, but given the way the timeline is shaping up this year, it looks like it might be difficult for me to clerk in the districts (CAN and CAC) in which I want to practice. (This is both because many have already hired, and because I'm working crazy hours for a trial scheduled for mid-April and will find it very difficult to fly all the way out to CA to interview in the next few months.)

Is it worth it to still do a Dist Ct clerkship as a 3rd year in a different district? I'd like to do criminal work - eventually as either an AUSA or AFPD, but I'm also willing to start at the state level, as long as I'm in CA. I'd also be interested in applying to DOJ Crim or DOJ Tax and doing that for a few years, even though it will mean a stint in DC. (it *looks* like I'll be eligible to apply as a lateral to DOJ after my first clerkship, but even with the hiring freeze lifted, who knows what would happen).

I don't intend to return to either NYC or biglaw after my clerkship(s), but recognize that I might have to go back to biglaw (or at least private practice in some form) because of the irregular nature of the PI jobs that I will be targeting. I'm not *that* worried about screwing up my class years (eg, if I do a Dist Ct clerkship, I will going back to practice as a fourth year, but I don't really care if my employer gives me fourth year credit).

Obviously lots of moving parts, but any advice would be great.