Turning a State Court clerkship into fed. clerkship

[marsh28]

I currently am a 3l at an average (tier 3) lawschool.  I'm in the top 15% and on Law Review, and had my L. Rev. Candidate paper chose for publication.  However, although I have applied for several Federal District Court clerkships, I am fairly sure I won't land anything due to my school's status.  My question is, if I can land a State Appellate/Supreme court clerkship, will this help as leverage for a later Federal district court clerkship, or should I simply forget about Federal clerkships altogether?

[vaplaugh]

Why wouldn't it help, at least marginally? 

Will you do the state clerkship regardless?

[marsh28]

I would like to do the state clerkship regardless of whether a federal clerkship was possible further down the line.  I was just wondering if people often use state clerkships to get federal ones.

[Budlaw]

Some people do go the route that you're suggesting. However, since teaching is unlikely given your school status, what is the real point of doing a state and then federal clerkship? All you're doing is limiting your earning potential for another 2 years by taking a federal clerkship. The experience is still going to be roughly the same, and you're going to get a good job after a state court appellate clerkship anyway.

Just something to consider.

I would like to do the state clerkship regardless of whether a federal clerkship was possible further down the line.  I was just wondering if people often use state clerkships to get federal ones.

[gibbsale]

I actually think it would be worthwhile to try to do both, particularly if you are going to remain in that jurisdiction.  Whether or not you want to go into teaching, it provides a great deal of insight into the law at both the appellate and trial level. 

[Lenny]

Marsh, check PMs