Let’s Talk Federal Circuit! Forum

[lawschoolkid0122]

Figured I’d start a thread for the oft-neglected Federal Circuit. Just submitted my applications, for either ‘23 or ‘24 (or whenever they’ll take me!). Anyone have any insight into the hiring process, hiring season, etc? I know the hiring process at CAFC is particularly opaque.

[Anonymous User]

Should network with former CAFC clerks and express interests in clerking for CAFC judges, the former clerks recommend candidates to the CAFC judges. The CAFC circle is really small.

[lawschoolkid0122]

A more narrow question for the CAFC applicants among us: in general, how long did it take between submitting applications and receiving interviews? Would appreciate some anecdotes.

[Anonymous User]

Have two classmates who are going to be clerking on the Federal Circuit. Both got interviews relatively soon after applying (one also applied to the judge the other is going to clerk for and didn't hear back from that judge at all). One is clerking this year but the other (who got the clerkship first) isn't clerking until 2025.

[Anonymous User]

The only active judge with a predictable hiring schedule is Taranto, who generally waits until the Plan date to hire and generally hires clerks straight out of law school. He's the most school-/grade-selective, but he does hire outside the T14 occasionally.

Because the rest of the judges require or prefer experience, they generally hire all year round or unpredictably. That is particularly true for the judges who have 18-month terms (e.g., Moore, Stoll, Prost) and the judges who have 12-month terms with spring start dates (e.g., Chen). Dyk has one-year terms and swaps everybody out in the fall, so that might make things a little bit more predictable. Assuming Cunningham will do the same.

[Anonymous User]

The only active judge with a predictable hiring schedule is Taranto, who generally waits until the Plan date to hire and generally hires clerks straight out of law school. He's the most school-/grade-selective, but he does hire outside the T14 occasionally.

Because the rest of the judges require or prefer experience, they generally hire all year round or unpredictably. That is particularly true for the judges who have 18-month terms (e.g., Moore, Stoll, Prost) and the judges who have 12-month terms with spring start dates (e.g., Chen). Dyk has one-year terms and swaps everybody out in the fall, so that might make things a little bit more predictable. Assuming Cunningham will do the same.

I very much appreciate the insight. After how long of waiting after submitting an application (non-Taranto judges) would you give up hope that you’re still in the running? I’ve heard some of the CAFC judges can take 2-3 months before they reach out

[Anonymous User]

The only active judge with a predictable hiring schedule is Taranto, who generally waits until the Plan date to hire and generally hires clerks straight out of law school. He's the most school-/grade-selective, but he does hire outside the T14 occasionally.

Because the rest of the judges require or prefer experience, they generally hire all year round or unpredictably. That is particularly true for the judges who have 18-month terms (e.g., Moore, Stoll, Prost) and the judges who have 12-month terms with spring start dates (e.g., Chen). Dyk has one-year terms and swaps everybody out in the fall, so that might make things a little bit more predictable. Assuming Cunningham will do the same.

I very much appreciate the insight. After how long of waiting after submitting an application (non-Taranto judges) would you give up hope that you’re still in the running? I’ve heard some of the CAFC judges can take 2-3 months before they reach out

Friendly bump, if anyone is out there...when should I abandon hope?

[mistressfancy]

Hey, did you ever hear back? I'm hoping for some insight into possible timelines as well.

[Anonymous User]

For the one and only interview I’ve had at the Federal Circuit, chambers reached out 6 months after I first submitted my app. So it can take a while. Hoping it won’t take that long to hear back on my outstanding apps!

[mistressfancy]

My god, that's really long. I'm getting anxious over here and it's only been a month
Hopefully we both hear some good news soon

[Anonymous User]

This might be a long shot, but does anyone know which judges are still hiring for 2024-2025 or 2025-2026?

[soulistic]

This might be a long shot, but does anyone know which judges are still hiring for 2024-2025 or 2025-2026?

Dyk moved right after the OSCAR drop for 2025 so I imagine his spots are all accounted for. Probably no judge has openings for 2024. I think Cunningham still has positions up on OSCAR for 2025 but you’d have to check. Even so, I believe she was interviewing the week of the OSCAR drop too.

[Anonymous User]

Are any judges still hiring, or are all of them filled? I have some applications out but haven't heard anything. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Which judges are you curious about?

[Anonymous User]

Which judges are you curious about?

Dyk for 25
Stark for 25
Hughes for 26
Cunningham for 27

Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any insight into the chances of an applicant from a non-STEM background? I am thinking about submitting applications for the 2028 term whenever they open for several of the judges (Cunningham, Wallach, Reyna, Chen). I do not have a STEM background but I have pretty extensive litigation experience as a practicing attorney with two of the subject matter areas that fall within the court's jurisdiction and would be curious if the "Technical experience preferred" language indicates a hard or soft preference for those judges. My ultimate goal is to try and land within one of the DOJ civil components that litigate before the courts that are under the Federal Circuit's jurisdiction.

FWIW, I am also applying for several magistrate/district court clerkships for the 2026-2028 terms, so hoping to get some clerkship experience as a favorable factor for my applications. Thank you!