Last Semester of Law School Advice Forum

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brownhairnyc

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Last Semester of Law School Advice

Post by brownhairnyc » Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:21 am

I interned for EDNY judge & big federal agency during law school. Going into biglaw after graduation. Next semester, I really want to intern at USAO. If I do this, then I don't have room in my schedule to take fed courts. Although I might be able to do this solely on a volunteer basis. Is fed courts absolutely necessary? I've heard mixed reviews.

Or, should I do another judicial internship at SDNY/EDNY? I would love to transition to USAO after some time in biglaw.

Share advice as this is stressing me out!!

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Re: Last Semester of Law School Advice

Post by Anonymous User » Tue Oct 04, 2022 2:28 pm

I didn’t take fed courts and my career has turned out fine (though I do think it’s important to take if you can).

Generally, if you want to get an AUSA gig, interning for a USAO is much more helpful than another judicial externship. It may be that there’s an SDNY/EDNY judge who will go to bat for an intern enough to get you into the USAO, but I think USAO experience is still going to be more helpful.

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Re: Last Semester of Law School Advice

Post by Anonymous User » Tue Oct 04, 2022 3:00 pm

brownhairnyc wrote:
Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:21 am
I interned for EDNY judge & big federal agency during law school. Going into biglaw after graduation. Next semester, I really want to intern at USAO. If I do this, then I don't have room in my schedule to take fed courts. Although I might be able to do this solely on a volunteer basis. Is fed courts absolutely necessary? I've heard mixed reviews.

Or, should I do another judicial internship at SDNY/EDNY? I would love to transition to USAO after some time in biglaw.

Share advice as this is stressing me out!!
One of my mentors who is a highly accomplished lawyer admitted to me that she regrets not having taken Fed Courts. I think interning at USAO is such a great opportunity though, and I wonder if there is any way for you to do both.

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Re: Last Semester of Law School Advice

Post by Anonymous User » Tue Oct 04, 2022 3:24 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
Tue Oct 04, 2022 2:28 pm
I didn’t take fed courts and my career has turned out fine (though I do think it’s important to take if you can).

Generally, if you want to get an AUSA gig, interning for a USAO is much more helpful than another judicial externship. It may be that there’s an SDNY/EDNY judge who will go to bat for an intern enough to get you into the USAO, but I think USAO experience is still going to be more helpful.
I think FedCourts is super important - it just comes up so much when clerking, you really want to have a good handle on the topics.

jotarokujo

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Re: Last Semester of Law School Advice

Post by jotarokujo » Tue Oct 04, 2022 4:02 pm

the best option is probably to "volunteer" at the USAO if that allows you to take fed courts. if you must choose between them, do the USAO externship

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Re: Last Semester of Law School Advice

Post by Anonymous User » Tue Oct 04, 2022 7:53 pm

jotarokujo wrote:
Tue Oct 04, 2022 4:02 pm
the best option is probably to "volunteer" at the USAO if that allows you to take fed courts. if you must choose between them, do the USAO externship
Seconding this. If you go into fed courts with the goal to just get through it with a B or B+, it probably wouldn't be too much more work or stress than any normal class and you'd hugely benefit vs. not taking it at all or vs. taking some other random class. And I have to imagine the value of having a connect at the USAO dramatically outweighs a better grade on your transcript

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