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Hi All,

I am currently a 1st year biglaw associate thinking of applying for clerkships. I transferred to a T6 from a T1. At the T6 I was in the top 1/3 and on a secondary journal. I'm currently working at a NY V10 in the litigation department and actually enjoying it.

However, I would like to end up in gov (AUSA if possible). Given how competitive these positions are, I'm wondering if clerking would increase my chances. Additionally, a handful of my friends are clerking and have had very positive experiences so far. They also seem to be working on (mostly) interesting cases. That being said, I'm not really sure if I would be competitive with my stats.

-Would I even have a chance with my stats? I would be willing to clerk in bumblefuck if I needed to.
-Would a clerkship be necessary or helpful for fed gov (especially USAO)?
-Would I need to clerk somewhere like SDNY or would bumblefuck be good enough?
-Given that I am currently a first year and wouldn't be clerking for a couple years, do judges look down on applicants that would be a 3rd or 4th year?
-Would it be worth clerking as a 3rd or 4th year?

Thanks in advance for all of the advice!

Very similar, slightly less impressive stats. Clerked D.Ct. (non-flyover, non SDNY-type court) and now on major COA, with AUSA as a goal. Was almost a 4th year when I left.

I have interviewed or will with 6 major AUSA offices. I am confident that it would be zero without my clerkships (no way of knowing).

I have interviewed EDNY (not SDNY) without a "like SDNY" clerkship

Do not look down and several prefer it. (Those who do not don't "look down," I don't think)

At any rate, you'd be competitive, for sure, but clerkship hiring is random. I applied broadly and received 2 interviews for D.Ct. and 2 for COA. That's it. You'd have more success I think.

Anonymous User wrote:Very similar, slightly less impressive stats. Clerked D.Ct. (non-flyover, non SDNY-type court) and now on major COA, with AUSA as a goal. Was almost a 4th year when I left.

I have interviewed or will with 6 major AUSA offices. I am confident that it would be zero without my clerkships (no way of knowing).

I have interviewed EDNY (not SDNY) without a "like SDNY" clerkship

Do not look down and several prefer it. (Those who do not don't "look down," I don't think)

At any rate, you'd be competitive, for sure, but clerkship hiring is random. I applied broadly and received 2 interviews for D.Ct. and 2 for COA. That's it. You'd have more success I think.

From a timing standpoint, when in your clerkship did you start applying to [or do you plan on applying to] AUSA positions?

Started applying with a full year left.