Fed Circuit chances? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey y'all, was tossing this question around in my head for a while before deciding I should ask the experts -- I'm wondering how competitive I am for a Fed. Cir. clerkship in 27-28. I'm at a lower T14 (Mich/Duke/Berk) and barely above median (lower than 33%), but will be clerking in one of the holy trinity patent districts (EDTx/WDTx/Del) in 26-27, have a hard STEM background, and was a patent examiner before coming to law school. My impression is that the grades might be a sticking point without a great rec to get me out of the pile, but idk -- I figure I got lucky once, and maybe I can get lucky again. No particular preferences on judge; would love Chen, but I hear he's one of the most selective.

[crazywafflez]

No reason not to try. No clue if you're competitive or not. But you've got some neat stuff going for you, might attract someone!

[Anonymous User]

Thanks! That's pretty much where I'm at as well. Hopping back in here with a couple of extra things I forgot to mention in the original post -- I'm on the exec boards of both law review and our highly ranked tech law journal, and have substantial experience with editing and submissions on the latter.

[Anonymous User]

Upvoted for "holy trinity patent districts." I have no particular advice, but definitely apply, and if you don't get it now, you might be a stronger applicant after the district clerkship, especially if you're clerking for one of the well-known patent magnet judges (Albright, etc.) whose recommendation might have some sway with one or more CAFC judges.