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Sorry if my question is too specific for anyone to provide any insight, but...I guess that's why I need to seek insight from others.

I clerked for a district judge, and now I work as an AUSA in flyover country. My long-term goal has always been working in the appeals division of a USAO. I tried to get a COA clerkship following my D. Ct. clerkship, but my procrastination really screwed me. Despite the fact that I'm obviously very happy with where I landed, I can't help but wonder if my lack of a COA clerkship will throw a wrench in my long-term plan. Has anyone heard of someone leaving a USAO, clerking for a COA judge, and then returning to the USAO? Would COA judges be receptive to a candidate in my position (I'd be perfectly willing, and even happy, to clerk in a circuit such as the Fifth with a high criminal caseload)? My gut tells me that returning to my office would be a bureaucratic nightmare because of the strict fed hiring process, but I just wanted to see if anyone has any actual experience with this. Thanks!

Is there a reason you can't just jump departments in your current office?

conn09 wrote:Is there a reason you can't just jump departments in your current office?

I'm not sure. I've spoken with the supervisors in my office, and they've said that the best way to make the jump is to handle as many of my own appeals as I can. That certainly makes it seem like it's possible. But every person I've met from our appellate division had a COA clerkship, so that's what makes me think I need one.

You can try doing both: applying for a COA gig and applying for USAO appellate in other USAO offices as well, whichever come up first. Obviously getting as many appeals cases as you can would be great. Another option to look at is to apply for state solicitor general, do a few years of that then go back to USAO appellate.