Court of Federal Claims vs. US Dist. Ct. Clerkship Forum

[ihadadream]

Hello. Has anyone on here clerked and/or interned on both the Court of Federal Claims and US District Court? If so, could you compare/contrast the two? Which one did you find to be more challenging? More rewarding? Any other insight you could share would be helpful. Thanks.

[Jchance]

People seem to agree that a recent law grad would learn the most from a US Dist. Ct. Clerkship, though a CoA clerkship has more prestige.

Not sure how a clerkship with Court of Federal Claims is even in consideration. Is this flame?

[RaceJudicata]

People seem to agree that a recent law grad would learn the most from a US Dist. Ct. Clerkship, though a CoA clerkship has more prestige.

Not sure how a clerkship with Court of Federal Claims is even in consideration. Is this flame?

I'm guessing no, its not flame. Not everyone can get a Dist. Ct. clerkship... so interest in court of federal claims is a completely valid (and infrequently discussed) question.

[grand inquisitor]

i've seen biglaw lateral opportunities for gov't contracts that particularly request a CoFC clerkship, so there's definitely a niche where the clerkship is highly valued.

[ihadadream]

It's really not a question of prestige. I know that U.S. Dist. is more prestigious. I just would like to know whether Court of Federal Claims is comparable to a US Dist. Court Clerkship in terms of the experience.

Attorneys or no, you guys have to stop being so skeptical.

[globetrotter659]

Do you like government contracts and government employment disputes? If that appeals to you and you want to do that type of work post clerkship than the court of federal claims is a good option. If you have no interest in that area of law then it would be a waste although it is still a clerkship experience (and all the benefits associated with that).

[barkschool]

A CFC clerkship will limit you almost exclusively to job openings to be a gov contracts lawyer.

While the district ct. will allow you to do pretty much anything litigation. (Save obvious exceptions)

[ihadadream]

Do you like government contracts and government employment disputes? If that appeals to you and you want to do that type of work post clerkship than the court of federal claims is a good option. If you have no interest in that area of law then it would be a waste although it is still a clerkship experience (and all the benefits associated with that).

Are those the only types of cases they work on?

[purpleparrot]

Do you like government contracts and government employment disputes? If that appeals to you and you want to do that type of work post clerkship than the court of federal claims is a good option. If you have no interest in that area of law then it would be a waste although it is still a clerkship experience (and all the benefits associated with that).

Are those the only types of cases they work on?

I clerked in the CFC, and the answer is no although they're probably the bulk of it. I also had a few tax refunds, several takings cases, and some IP cases. The experience is probably the same as district court (I interned in district court) as far as your duties as a clerk and learning how federal litigation works but the types of cases are different.

EDIT to answer your first question: both were challenging and rewarding for me. I would have chosen district court over the CFC had it been an option, but I don't think I got less out of the CFC clerkship. CFC might pigeonhole you into going into a related practice...it's personal preference whether that's good or bad.

[ihadadream]

Do you like government contracts and government employment disputes? If that appeals to you and you want to do that type of work post clerkship than the court of federal claims is a good option. If you have no interest in that area of law then it would be a waste although it is still a clerkship experience (and all the benefits associated with that).

Are those the only types of cases they work on?

I clerked in the CFC, and the answer is no although they're probably the bulk of it. I also had a few tax refunds, several takings cases, and some IP cases. The experience is probably the same as district court (I interned in district court) as far as your duties as a clerk and learning how federal litigation works but the types of cases are different.

EDIT to answer your first question: both were challenging and rewarding for me. I would have chosen district court over the CFC had it been an option, but I don't think I got less out of the CFC clerkship. CFC might pigeonhole you into going into a related practice...it's personal preference whether that's good or bad.

Thanks.

[zot1]

You could be marketable for in-house counsel opportunities with government contractors. Not a bad gig AT ALL.