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Just trying to get a sense of what kind of options I'm likely to have after I'm done clerking. Recent white guy grad (T14, LR, latin honors) set for two COA clerkships with two non-feeders on (1) CA2/9 and (2) another not-quite-as-but-still-competitive circuit. I didn't specifically set out for two COA clerkships, but random circumstances have led me here. I think I lucked out big-time with my judges, locations, and so on.

I summered at big firm on one of the coasts, where I have connections, and I can return to that firm after my clerkships. I liked it there quite a bit, though I feel that I'd be a fool not to consider my options after these clerkships. I'm not interested in DC and don't have a specific interest in appellate work, though I'm appellate-curious, if that makes sense.

Will I be competitive for some of the top boutiques? Am I a fool to even consider looking elsewhere when I felt very good about my SA firm? I'm not here just for minor, if any, upgrades in prestige or anything. I just think that I might enjoy a smaller firm setting and I hope to get substantive experience in my first year in private practice (i.e. as a third-year coming in). Then again, I'm really not sure--and the path of least resistance, returning to my SA firm, is a safe option. I'd really appreciate any thoughts!

I'd say go aggressively after what you actually want to do. Seems like you will be in pretty good shape for just about anything.

I'd get in touch with classmates/alums at firms you're interested in to try to feel out what their work is like. Are they writing briefs or managing investigations? What's the actual leverage? What's the culture? What are the exit options? What are the actual hours expectations? Etc. This stuff matters.

You put in all this work to collect gold stars. You can afford to be choosy about where you work. That's the whole reason you went to a T14, got Latin honors, clerked twice, no?

LBJ's Hair wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:50 pm

I'd get in touch with classmates/alums at firms you're interested in to try to feel out what their work is like. Are they writing briefs or managing investigations? What's the actual leverage? What's the culture? What are the exit options? What are the actual hours expectations? Etc. This stuff matters.

You put in all this work to collect gold stars. You can afford to be choosy about where you work. That's the whole reason you went to a T14, got Latin honors, clerked twice, no?

Most of all, I'm just excited about the life and professional experiences I'm set to have during these clerkships. But then yes, I do hope to get my foot in the door of an office I feel is right for me. These are good questions to think about when talking to others, so thank you. I feel very fortunate to be in this spot, and I just want to land at a firm that hits the right balance for me. Easier said than done, I realize.