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I recently secured a clerkship with a district judge in a good district (think CDCA/NDCA/NDIL/EDVA). I am now thinking about whether it makes sense to try to follow up with a COA clerkship.

I am by no means a lock for COA. I initially didn't bother applying for COA because I wasn't competitive based on grades (T20, top 3rd) and maybe I'm still not competitive now. But, I'm thinking perhaps with the district clerkship and my 1-3 years experience at a V30, I might have a chance.

The question is whether it makes sense to even try. If (and I know it's a big if) I could get COA, what does it qualify me for that the district clerkship doesn't? Litigation boutiques? USAO? I don't think I'll have trouble getting back to biglaw so the question is what else the COA clerkship would do for me. If the only difference is getting into an appellate practice at biglaw instead of a commercial lit practice, I'm not sure it would be worth the extra year.

Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

I'm in the same position. All I see is lost income. Then again, I am not trying to work in gov't.

Go for it. COA > biglaw.

Helpful for big fed. Also, if you do D. Ct. then firm, then COA, it gives you a good out if you are miserable at your firm (which you may well be by then). Clerking is an amazing experience, and COA will give you a different perspective than D. Ct.

Just apply aggressively and worry later about whether you should do it, if you have the chance.

Shaggier1 wrote:Helpful for big fed. Also, if you do D. Ct. then firm, then COA, it gives you a good out if you are miserable at your firm (which you may well be by then). Clerking is an amazing experience, and COA will give you a different perspective than D. Ct.

Just apply aggressively and worry later about whether you should do it, if you have the chance.

OP here. Thanks for this. In what way is it helpful for bigfed? The truth is my ultimate goal is USAO or main Justice, so this is highly relevant.

My situation will be 1-3 years biglaw --> D. Ct. I haven't decided yet what to do after the D. Ct., hence why I am considering COA. I suppose my potential options are: back to biglaw (my current firm or an upgrade), lit boutique, government (unlikely), or straight to COA. It seems like the "straight to COA" option is the only one I would really need to figure out immediately because applications would be due very soon (before I even start the D. Ct.).

Wouldn't it be sketchy to do biglaw --> D. Ct. --> biglaw --> COA? I feel like that'd look like I can't keep a job as an actual practitioner.

I did D. Ct. --> Big Law --> COA. I was just hired at a big city USAO. I definitely don't think that that trajectory is problematic or even uncommon. Clerkship hiring is so idiosyncratic now that most employers understand that you get a clerkship when you get it, and it's not an opportunity that's easy to pass up.

If you want DOJ, the COA clerkship is a huge help. It's not necessary, but it helps a lot, especially if you are relatively junior. Recommendations can be key (especially for USAO hiring in the same area as your clerkship), and I know that my judges' recommendations were extremely important to the hiring committee.

If you go back to biglaw, with the end goal of heading to the DOJ, try to work for a partner with deep ties to the DOJ or the USAO you want to work for (this person is usually a former prosecutor). That person's recommendation can often get you at least an interview.

This is just based on what I've seen in terms of DOJ hiring, so it take it for what it's worth.

As far as USAO hiring is concerned, I've been told that hiring is sporadic and irregular, so you can't really count on getting in directly after a clerkship unless the stars align. This may mean being in a steady job (like a firm) and consistently applying to USAOs.

Wouldn't it be sketchy to do biglaw --> D. Ct. --> biglaw --> COA? I feel like that'd look like I can't keep a job as an actual practitioner.

No. If you were switching firms every year that would be one thing, but leaving for clerkships is common. To the extent it is not common, that is because clerkships are very hard to get.

Stop worrying so much and start submitting applications. Aside from the short-term financial hit, doing the clerkship seems likely to be all upside for you, given your interests. There will be no negative impact in terms of how your resume reads.

I clerked in one of the districts you mentioned, went to BigLaw, and then clerked on a COA. I really don't see why you wouldn't want to do the COA. It's an amazing experience, absolutely worth the pay hit. I highly preferred it to the DCt clerkship - even though the DCt clerkship is more relevant to practice. I agree with others that employers generally understand that clerkships happen when they happen, and it's out of your control. A minority of employers may struggle a bit with seeing several positions on your resume in a short timeframe, but the folks you're considering - USAO/main Justice - won't.

In terms of what the COA qualifies you for:
- More options even within BigLaw
- Appellate specialist gigs
- Litigation boutiques
- More competitive for USAOs
- More competitive for elite nonprofits and elite government positions
- Increased presumption of competence/prestige across all jobs