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What are the best law firms to get into USAO SDNY/EDNY?

More particular, is it possible to get into USAO SDNY/EDNY from DC biglaw?

I know Covington DC, Latham DC, Gibson Dunn DC, WIlmerhale DC, and W&C all have large white-collar practices. Is it possible to get into USAO SDNY/EDNY from those DC law firms?

Similar question for DC litigation boutiques like Kellogg Hansen, Wilkinson Stekloff, etc.

I'm already tracking the NYC traditional feeders--big law like DPW, S&C, Debevoise, etc. and boutiques like Krieger Lewin, Lankler, etc.

If anyone else has any advice or thoughts on getting to USAO SDNY/EDNY, either from DC or NY, would love to hear them too.

While going to the best firm you can is certainly helpful, exiting to a US Attorneys office is largely based on other factors. Especially for a place like SDNY or EDNY, you will almost certainly need t-14, great grades, clerkship in the district, and preferably some stand up courtroom experience (which is difficult no matter what firm you go to).

Where the caliber of the firm can help is finding people who are former DOJ who may counsel and go to bat for you when there are AUSA openings. Which also begs the question, why not NY offices of these firms? They are more likely to have former SDNY/EDNY folks.

While going to the best firm you can is certainly helpful, exiting to a US Attorneys office is largely based on other factors. Especially for a place like SDNY or EDNY, you will almost certainly need t-14, great grades, clerkship in the district, and preferably some stand up courtroom experience (which is difficult no matter what firm you go to).

Where the caliber of the firm can help is finding people who are former DOJ who may counsel and go to bat for you when there are AUSA openings. Which also begs the question, why not NY offices of these firms? They are more likely to have former SDNY/EDNY folks.

Pretty much Williams & Connolly only.

They used to really, really like WilmerHale, but have been diversifying recently.

Wild Card wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 3:27 pm

Pretty much Williams & Connolly only.

They used to really, really like WilmerHale, but have been diversifying recently.

This is dumb and not helpful. The most important factor is finding partners the offices trust to vouch for you. Even if not alumni of S/EDNY, look to firms with WC partners who have connections to those offices.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 6:51 pm

Wild Card wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 3:27 pm

Pretty much Williams & Connolly only.

They used to really, really like WilmerHale, but have been diversifying recently.

This is dumb and not helpful. The most important factor is finding partners the offices trust to vouch for you. Even if not alumni of S/EDNY, look to firms with WC partners who have connections to those offices.

I'm sure whatever firm you work at sucks.

If you look at the roster of SDNY AUSAs, WilmerHale has substantial representation among lifers. Recently, it's been a mish-mash, with tip-top firms like WLRK and Williams & Connolly enjoying a slight lead.

If anything, OP's question is misguided, because top AUSAs hire exceptional individuals, and exceptional individuals tend to end up at the best firms, but occassionally end up here and there.

i think DC white collar/biglaw is more interesting than NY white collar/biglaw. also, many NYC firms, you can't do purely white collar (have to do lots of civil/securities litigation) whereas there are more white collar opportunities in DC.

I also feel DC biglaw is inherently more interesting for a litigator interested in white-collar/regulatory work/etc. less of a focus on securities/banks/financial services, etc and more focus on FCPA, white collar work, etc.

think how different the work is btw Covington DC and WIlmerHale DC vs Cravath.

Wild Card wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 8:23 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 6:51 pm

Wild Card wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 3:27 pm

Pretty much Williams & Connolly only.

They used to really, really like WilmerHale, but have been diversifying recently.

This is dumb and not helpful. The most important factor is finding partners the offices trust to vouch for you. Even if not alumni of S/EDNY, look to firms with WC partners who have connections to those offices.

I'm sure whatever firm you work at sucks.

If you look at the roster of SDNY AUSAs, WilmerHale has substantial representation among lifers. Recently, it's been a mish-mash, with tip-top firms like WLRK and Williams & Connolly enjoying a slight lead.

If anything, OP's question is misguided, because top AUSAs hire exceptional individuals, and exceptional individuals tend to end up at the best firms, but occassionally end up here and there.

Lol you are clueless. I am at one of these offices. WilmerHale is a great place and we have many folks from there. "Pretty much Williams & Connolly only" is dumb and we actually have very few people from there. And you are wrong again about "recently, it's been a mish-mash, with tip-top firms like WLRK and Williams & Connolly enjoying a slight lead."

The things that matter most to get your foot in the door are some combination of recommendations, school/grades, substantive experience, clerkships, ability to portray genuine interest in criminal prosecution. Firm prestige is very distant.

I'm also at one of these offices, and I agree with the below--firm prestige is an extremely distant consideration for hiring. I've interviewed many people from firms, and I've never once given an applicant more consideration than another because of firm prestige. Nor have I seen a clear pattern in terms of which firms' associates more often get invited for a first-round interview in the first place. I've interviewed folks from "top tier" shops who I found to be mediocre and superstars from "less prestigious" places. Recommendations / substantive experience / presentation are the most important factors; firm prestige matters only to the extent that top firms will give one more opportunities to develop good recommendations/experience.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 31, 2024 10:00 am

Wild Card wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 8:23 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 6:51 pm

Wild Card wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 3:27 pm

Pretty much Williams & Connolly only.

They used to really, really like WilmerHale, but have been diversifying recently.

This is dumb and not helpful. The most important factor is finding partners the offices trust to vouch for you. Even if not alumni of S/EDNY, look to firms with WC partners who have connections to those offices.

I'm sure whatever firm you work at sucks.

If you look at the roster of SDNY AUSAs, WilmerHale has substantial representation among lifers. Recently, it's been a mish-mash, with tip-top firms like WLRK and Williams & Connolly enjoying a slight lead.

If anything, OP's question is misguided, because top AUSAs hire exceptional individuals, and exceptional individuals tend to end up at the best firms, but occassionally end up here and there.

Lol you are clueless. I am at one of these offices. WilmerHale is a great place and we have many folks from there. "Pretty much Williams & Connolly only" is dumb and we actually have very few people from there. And you are wrong again about "recently, it's been a mish-mash, with tip-top firms like WLRK and Williams & Connolly enjoying a slight lead."

The things that matter most to get your foot in the door are some combination of recommendations, school/grades, substantive experience, clerkships, ability to portray genuine interest in criminal prosecution. Firm prestige is very distant.

AUSAs in EDNY/SDNY: what are some practical things a junior associate can do to put themselves in the best position possible to get an AUSA gig in your office?