Related Posts
More Posts
Upside is hiring! I'm currently looking to fill three crucial roles for the Sales team at Upside including a VP of Revenue Operations, a Channel Partner Sales Director, and a Director of Account Management. Check out the job descriptions below- if you or someone you know may be interested please reach out to me directly here, or at taylor.hanna@upside.com
VP, Revenue Operations: lnkd.in/g3HArg3yChannel Partner Sales Director: lnkd.in/g-Q-dWjjDirector, Account Management: lnkd.in/gDsX5j6X

Zelda BOTW anyone?
Additional Posts in Law Clerks
New to Fishbowl?
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.



How widely are you applying? Are you limited geographically? I would say the best chance is to apply all over.
Probably, yes, you should apply all over the country if you really want to do it. Also, a tip for making yourself stand out is doing the research to find a connection to the judge, and then highlighting that connection in your cover letter. For example, the COA judge i clerked for is a veteran and he is an expert on the law of armed conflict. I highlighted in my letter that I am also a vet and interested in learning more about that area of the law.
I had magna, 3.8 gpa, law review, from T-14 and did not get COA clerkship, but a couple interviews (idk I must be not that good at interviews). Somewhat diverse too. But I know people with worse grades who did get one. Just saying as an FYI to temper any expectations
As far as the COAs are concerned, your resume could say just about anything, and you’ll still be in a pile of a hundred relatively like applications. There are simply that few spots for so many exceedingly qualified candidates.
I’ve participated in/watched two judges go through their hiring processes now, and before I had the chambers perspective, I simply didn’t grasp the scarcity. They’re picking like 2-4 folks from hundreds. The vast majority have stellar grades at T14 schools, law review, top firm jobs, many have prior clerkships with district judges.
It’s tough to stand out in a group that’s homogeneously excellent. Seems to boil down to judge idiosyncrasy in the end. Just gotta apply as broadly as you can and hope that one of them picks some random little thing out about you that resonates with them for whatever reason.
Why not do a district court clerkship?
that's surprising, i'd expect clerks to get more brief writing assignments at least
I would recommend expanding your reach if possible and maybe send paper applications by mail. I have friends who done that and they landed 1st Circuit and 4th Circuit clerkships. Also it may be worth considering a District clerkship for a year and then COA.