Top Law Schools

Top 1/3 at T25. Secondary Journal (Board; Published). Top grade in 3 courses.

I'm just finishing my first year at a mid-sized firm (50ish attorneys). Pretty significant briefing experience. By the end of the year, my name will be on the brief for three published decisions (one successful S/J in federal court; one pending S/J in federal court; one pending decision before state supreme court).

I know it's probably a long shot. I assume COA is out of reach. The only reason I'm considering doing it is because in the longterm I want to focus my practice on employment defense, and I think the clerkship would help. I would only consider clerkships in midwestern cities within the 8th Circuit (actually I'd really only consider Des Moines, Kansas City, and St. Louis). Worth even applying? Also, I'm ignorant as to timeline for applying, etc. I didn't really consider clerkships while in law school.

Thanks!

I had pretty similar stats, minus the published briefs.

Barring connections, I would say you're probably SOL. I blanketed and got zero interviews (even for magistrates). One professor (who was happy to do general LORs and stuff for state clerkships) was almost offended that someone of my stats would ask for federal LORs and wouldn't do it. It was awkward.