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I am thinking about applying for federal COA clerkships. I understand that each circuit has a main courthouse in one city (e.g., NYC for the 2nd and New Orleans for the 5th). How is the experience different if you clerk for a judge in the main city vs. somewhere else? For instance, the 10th Circuit has one judge stationed in Albuquerque, NM even though the main courthouse is in Denver. How does that judge (and their clerks) collaborate with those in Denver and elsewhere in the circuit? (I can see how this would work these days when lots of stuff is digital, but given that this system existed pre-COVID and even pre-Internet, I'm genuinely curious.) Since appeals are handled by three-judge panels, it sounds like collaboration between judges in different locations would be critical. Is it generally considered better to clerk for someone in the main city?

It's not a factor at all. Even on the D.C. Circuit--where the entire court is in the same building--pretty much all edits and discussions about cases are over email or perhaps an occasional phone call. The only real in-person discussion about a case will be among the judges right after the panel hears oral argument.

The advantage of clerking in a courthouse with other chambers is that you may be able to get to know other judges and their clerks. Some chambers will schedule lunches with other chambers. But aside from that mild social aspect--which you can still get if, say, you're in a courthouse that also has district court chambers--I don't think it makes much of a difference at all.

Thanks, that makes sense. I guess I also have a broader question: how does the location/circuit of the clerkship affect career opportunities afterwards? I know that DC/2nd/9th circuits tend to be the most popular because they are located in areas with major legal markets. But aside from those, is there much difference? For instance, if I wanted to settle down in Florida but don't care where I live during the clerkship year itself, should I favor the 11th circuit over other circuits, and if so, should I specifically apply to judges who are stationed in Florida? Keep in mind I'm asking only about COA judges, not district. (I know that location is more relevant for those.)

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 30, 2022 3:53 am

Thanks, that makes sense. I guess I also have a broader question: how does the location/circuit of the clerkship affect career opportunities afterwards? I know that DC/2nd/9th circuits tend to be the most popular because they are located in areas with major legal markets. But aside from those, is there much difference? For instance, if I wanted to settle down in Florida but don't care where I live during the clerkship year itself, should I favor the 11th circuit over other circuits, and if so, should I specifically apply to judges who are stationed in Florida? Keep in mind I'm asking only about COA judges, not district. (I know that location is more relevant for those.)

CA11 would be better if you want to end up in Florida, but where the COA judges keep their chambers doesn't matter. A case that gets appealed from NDFL could be heard by a judge in Georgia.

I think there is always some small advantage to having clerked in the circuit where you’ll be practicing, just because that’s the law you’ll be applying. There may also be some small advantage in that a judge who sits in a particular city may know more people in that city (that’s probably where they worked before being appointed, for instance). I don’t know that either of these things are really material though, or should outweigh other considerations. (I suppose also in theory if you do appellate work, knowing the ins/outs of a given circuit will be helpful, too, although again I’m not sure how necessary clerking in that circuit is to gain a sufficient understanding.)