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Hey y'all, was tossing this question around in my head for a while before deciding I should ask the experts -- I'm wondering how competitive I am for a Fed. Cir. clerkship in 27-28. I'm at a lower T14 (Mich/Duke/Berk) and barely above median (lower than 33%), but will be clerking in one of the holy trinity patent districts (EDTx/WDTx/Del) in 26-27, have a hard STEM background, and was a patent examiner before coming to law school. My impression is that the grades might be a sticking point without a great rec to get me out of the pile, but idk -- I figure I got lucky once, and maybe I can get lucky again. No particular preferences on judge; would love Chen, but I hear he's one of the most selective.

No reason not to try. No clue if you're competitive or not. But you've got some neat stuff going for you, might attract someone!

Thanks! That's pretty much where I'm at as well. Hopping back in here with a couple of extra things I forgot to mention in the original post -- I'm on the exec boards of both law review and our highly ranked tech law journal, and have substantial experience with editing and submissions on the latter.

Upvoted for "holy trinity patent districts." I have no particular advice, but definitely apply, and if you don't get it now, you might be a stronger applicant after the district clerkship, especially if you're clerking for one of the well-known patent magnet judges (Albright, etc.) whose recommendation might have some sway with one or more CAFC judges.

also this is a pretty late reply so not sure if even relevant anymore but some Fed Cir judges are way less grade/school sensitive than others. Stark seems to have no preference and hires all over the T30 (even 50) with average to slightly above average grades being sufficient.

Thanks--very relevant, as I'm still looking. I've networked with almost every former Federal Circuit clerk from my school, but sadly no luck. My district judge said he would be open to writing a rec/making calls after I've started later this year which could help push things over the top.