Looking for insight from those with experience as a COA staff attorney. (Please don't respond and just say every circuit is different.) I'm looking to hear about anyone's experience on any circuit.
Mainly wondering about work-life balance, variety of work, interaction with judges/clerks, and what you went on to do next and whether the staff attorney experience was useful, etc.
COA Staff Attorney positions Forum
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Re: COA Staff Attorney positions
CA2 CAO was very busy. The office is divided into four teams, two of which handle substantive motions work (pro se motions and counseled motions teams, used in part to screen out certain appeals on the merits) and two of which work primarily on fully briefed appeals (immigration and pro se appeals teams). Motions are due within three months of their referral to the office. Pro se appeals are on the court's calendar alongside counseled appeals and are due a bit before the argument date.
I was on motions the entire time, and while I was busy, I really liked it. The supervisors were generally friendly and the building (40 Foley) was gorgeous, with huge offices. It is like working in a cathedral, with the downside being it is like working in a cathedral. The work on pro se motions was what you expect (prisoner litigation, habeas), but I learned a ton of procedure, and counseled motions had more Second-Circuit-like subject matter.
I did not have much contact with judges or chambers, but I keep to myself. Others had a different experience. Anecdotally, the fully briefed appeals teams seemed to have more judge interaction. My office mate had several extended calls with a judge one week. She thought it was stressful but I thought it was cool!
The SAO has a deep bench of alums in the NYC public interest community. The alumni guide is really thick. I found that very helpful during my job search.
Several people (and one supervisor) came to the SAO from the Eleventh Circuit's SAO. I got a sense that the Eleventh Circuit was busy too but collegial. Can't say that much more about it.
I was on motions the entire time, and while I was busy, I really liked it. The supervisors were generally friendly and the building (40 Foley) was gorgeous, with huge offices. It is like working in a cathedral, with the downside being it is like working in a cathedral. The work on pro se motions was what you expect (prisoner litigation, habeas), but I learned a ton of procedure, and counseled motions had more Second-Circuit-like subject matter.
I did not have much contact with judges or chambers, but I keep to myself. Others had a different experience. Anecdotally, the fully briefed appeals teams seemed to have more judge interaction. My office mate had several extended calls with a judge one week. She thought it was stressful but I thought it was cool!
The SAO has a deep bench of alums in the NYC public interest community. The alumni guide is really thick. I found that very helpful during my job search.
Several people (and one supervisor) came to the SAO from the Eleventh Circuit's SAO. I got a sense that the Eleventh Circuit was busy too but collegial. Can't say that much more about it.