Federal Government Lawyers

Got attorney-advisor TJO for GS-12 step 1 for role in the GS 12-14 range and am coming from big law (3rd year) and relocating, advice to negotiate salary?

Is the drug test a urine test for DOJ roles?

How long do background checks normally take once they have all the docs?

It’s been 3 weeks since my first interview for an AUSA position, and I haven’t heard anything. Is this normal or do I strike this one off the list?

2nd year small law transactional associate here. I’m a “2nd career” lawyer with about a 10-year career in state government before going back to school. I’m looking at applying for AUSA position in my … more

Hi all, any insight on the Attorney-Advisor (Commission Attorney Honors Program) at CFTC? Or the agency in general?

7th year big law litigator here - looking to make a transition to government in NY or DC. Ideally looking for something regulatory given my experience with agency investigations. I am open to other op… more

What is the fastest you have seen anyone get from closing date to final offer for DOJ trial attorney or AUSA?

I’m about to start a new government job, and I’m feeling a bit nervous.

For those who have been through it, how demanding is it at the beginning? I’m also in the midst of some life changes, so I’m trying to gauge… more

Anyone hear back from the USPTO regarding trademark examiner interviews?

I reached the final stages of interviewing for two different attorney roles within the same agency. I was told I would hear back about next steps at the end of last week or early this week. So far, it… more

Any ex-patent litigators here? If so, where do you work in Fed gov and how do you like it?

Is my understanding correct that you are always ‘referred to the hiring manager’ for positions you applied to on USAJobs, so long as you meet the minimum requirements of the position (e.g., you qualif… more

Ended up picking the wrong USAO out of about 7 or 8 offers I had when I made the jump to AUSA (criminal) a little over a year ago. I don’t want to out myself, but my reasoning for wanting to leave is … more

Would love anyone’s insight on taking a position as a trial attorney in the DOJ’s antitrust division. What are the chances of moving to Biglaw after 3-5 years? Thanks!

Anyone work(ed) at the ITC? Would love to hear your thoughts especially if you transitioned there from biglaw.

Anyone done a 1-year term appointment before to a USAO? Worth the risk of potentially not getting a full-time position? Could you lateral back to biglaw after if you only get the 1 year?

Does USA jobs site actually work for getting a job? The posts on here are making it seems like getting one of the jobs posted is a lost cause without an internal referral.

Has anyone ever been interviewed before the closing date of a job on USAJOBS? Or does the hiring always start at every federal agency only once the announcement is closed?

Is accepting a job offer at a federal government administrative agency a bad idea right now? Thinking about Chevron, a potential Trump win, and the possible destruction of the administrative state.

Anyone have tips for making the move from corp biglaw to government? Seems like most gov jobs are for litigators

Is the 14-month probationary period really a thing for DOJ hires? If you’ve received your final security clearance and are well into the job, are you still really on probation / there’s really a 14-mo… more

I applied for an agency attorney - enforcement job at CFPB. Wondering what the timeline for applications usually is? Also, can anyone confirm that references will not be called until after the initial… more

Could you legally audio record your federal coworkers without their knowledge, if you’re in a one-party consent state (and federal is one-party consent)? Does working in federal government / being fed… more

Anyone have knowledge of USPTO hiring? Just submitted my written response and awaiting next steps.

Anyone here have any knowledge or background about attorney positions with the federal bureau of prisons that can provide some insight?

Is anyone here an OGE Form 450 filler? Considering moving into a role where this would be required. I’m not in gov now. I have some passive investments in limited partnerships and hoping to understand… more

Constructive & Destructive criticism?
I guess this is more of a vent and/or I'm looking for perspective on how to deal with this. I work for a fed agency and this week I'm at a training for… more

Hi,

I'm looking for suggestions for a resume writer that can help me tailor my resume for a permanent clerkship/staff attorney position in the Third Circuit.

Thanks in advance!

Can anyone tell me how they like working as a trademark examiner? Just turned in my written response.

Can anyone share some insight on how long it took them to move on from the second to third round interview with their District's US Attorney? This entire process is very long.

Can anyone here talk about their experience at the NTIA or has familiarity with the agency?

What software does your office for managing large records? My office has zero paralegals. We've always just had the lawyers do it but at the time it would be maybe 4-8 hours of work. Now we're starting to… more

Have any of you seen in-house counsel make the lateral to big fed?

I’m an AUSA with an offer to join big tech as investigations counsel. I want to do this for 3-5 years, and then come back to the fed… more

Interested in jumping from private to federal health law. Which of FDA/HHC/CMS/other is the most “prestigious” or has the “best” substantive work or career track / lifestyle?

Just applied to be a trademark examiner at USPTO .., any insight ?

When does an AUSA get a raise for going up on the AD pay scale (because one now has more YOE than when they started of course)? End of the fiscal year? Beginning of the calendar year? Totally random?

This is a question for the AUSAs on here: how long did it take for your background investigation to clear? I just heard from the OARM regarding a clarification they had for me, which was resolved but … more

Is it realistic that you would be able to return to SEC/CTFC/DOJ/CFPB/etc. one day, if you leave less than a year in for a private practice opportunity (e.g., investigations counsel at a startup), or … more