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I'm a 2L at the CCN with the odd grades. I was curious about my chances for COA clerkships broadly and the 7th, 9th, and 2nd circuits more specifically. I'm around top 10-15%, LR (not exec board), published, and with 3 years of work experience prior to law school in legal-related work. I'm flexible in terms of location and aim to apply broadly.

Just wanted to see what my chances are and if anyone has advice on application strategy. Thanks!

I went to a lower T14 and had a similar resume as yours. I ended up with a clerkship for one of the circuits you named.

Work with your recommenders / committee to target specific judges where you want to clerk and take your shot. Applying broadly might also get your app pulled from the pack, particularly if you apply district court first then pursue COA next cycle. My district judge would have interviewed you on a cold app.

I'm in the class above you. You have a good chance, and a very good chance if you're conservative, but you'll definitely need to apply nationally--you don't have insane grades and it's to a large degree a crapshoot. Make sure to minimally also hit circuits where you have ties, and ideally just apply everywhere. Generally our school places better on 7 and 9 than 2, though every year a few people get 2 so it's possible. I'd encourage you to apply to district courts as well, you're in the ballpark for NDIL, CDCA, etc., but whether you want to double clerk is a personal decision. Talk to LR 3Ls clerking on circuits you're interested in (you have a spreadsheet of them somewhere), your recommenders, and your favorite member of the clerkship committee.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:20 pm

I'm a 2L at the CCN with the odd grades. I was curious about my chances for COA clerkships broadly and the 7th, 9th, and 2nd circuits more specifically. I'm around top 10-15%, LR (not exec board), published, and with 3 years of work experience prior to law school in legal-related work. I'm flexible in terms of location and aim to apply broadly.

Just wanted to see what my chances are and if anyone has advice on application strategy. Thanks!

Why 2nd, 7th, and 9th? CCN schools have circuits they do well with and circuits they struggle with. Your luck with those three circuits may depend on which CCN school you attend.

Your odds with LR are pretty darn good- make sure you're flexing that network as much as possible and applying very broadly within those circuits. Also take a hard look at some of the cities in other circuits that you might consider living in- Minneapolis, Columbus, etc. Apply to senior judges (do some diligence on caseloads). Assuming you're not conservative since 10-15% + LR + FedSoc is nearly automatic at the school you're at.