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I realize that I shouldn't even be asking this, given how lucky I am to even have these opportunities, and that I should really shut up and stop talking. Regardless, my clerkship process seems to be coming down to a couple of choices (none of these judges are "feeders"):

1) a more recently-appointed, less well-known COA judge, but one who works in the circuit / region that I see myself practicing in long-term
2) an older, more established judge (non 2/9/DC, but still important city and circuit) who is well-known, but practices in a region / circuit in which I have no interest in practicing long-term.

If you had your pick, which would you choose? Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Assuming both judges are nice people, I'd take #1, especially if you have any interest in working for the USAO in your preferred market. You'll get a bump from clerking on that circuit and may have networking opportunities with people in that office. Plus, a newer judge will ostensibly be around longer to vouch for you and being among that judge's first cadre of clerks could ingratiate you forever.

Plus, a newer judge will ostensibly be around longer to vouch for you and being among that judge's first cadre of clerks could ingratiate you forever.

I took a clerkship with a new district judge on this reasoning and I am glad I did.

After feeder/non-feeder, target market is most important factor.