Federal Government Lawyers

Does anyone have tips for the structured interview process? I’ve done my research but am not getting past the first round. My credentials must be acceptable if I’m being invited to interview at all. S… more

Anyone recently apply for a position with HHS and the background check is taking ages??

Has anyone pivoted from a firm to intelligence work for the fed gov? Intelligence analyst/specialist positions. Just hearing your path would be helpful. Thanks!!

Anyone have experience at the FTC?

Anyone work for FDA and leave for a firm? Any thoughts or advice (pros/cons)?

What’re the various agencies/components’ return to office dates (if announced)? And what’re the remote work policies after that date? I hear DOJ said their individual components will decide when exact… more

Hey guys, how long out do you/can you apply for federal jobs, i.e. DOJ, AUSA, SEC etc.? I will be getting out of the military next Summer but unsure how far in advance to apply. Thanks!

After completing 20 years as a Law Enforcement Officer with the Feds and on the way getting a JD and passing the Bar… trying to transition to an Immigration Attorney position… easier said than done!

Has anyone applied to SEC NY office recently? I did so a few months ago and got silence except a couple of emails last month saying my application was finally referred to a human hiring manager

Can anyone confirm the salary for an SK-14 attorney at the SEC in DC? Their website says it’s around $130,000 but that doesn’t sound right since that’s just barely higher than the GS scale.

Did anyone in this group apply for PSLF?

Does anyone think they will stay as a federal attorney for the rest of their career, and why? I have been a federal attorney for 10 years and all the money I see being doled out in-house and in firms … more

Any pros/cons in taking a 3 year term appointment? I am curious if this would make me any more or less marketable when positioning for other federal positions down the line? TIA!

Anyone here work as an attorney for Congress? Interested in what that work looks like, particularly in an investigative role.

Is it normal to wait a month after submitting an application before the application status changes from “received”?

Does anyone have Skype for Business installed on their personal device to receive notifications?

Anyone work for the DOL and can provide any insights in the nature of the work, the work environment, etc?

How do I negotiate a later start date? I have offer in hand and am coming from big law but would really like 8 weeks off between jobs because I am burnout and need time to rest. Is 8 weeks excessive… more

Any insight on working for the CFTC? I have some experience at the SEC, is it a similar kind of culture? Specifically interested in WLB and openness to telework. Thanks in advance!

Just got the tentative government offer_ does anyone have tips on negotiating steps when hired? I understand GS level is not negotiable.

Any Federal Reserve Bank employees? Looking for insight in work life balance.

Wondering the typical wait between tentative offer an final offer. Thanks in advance!

SOS, I got a govt offer & was let go from my current job. I was not given a clear reason for termination but it was not misconduct. How do I phrase this in a disclosure statement for background ch… more

Any procurement attorneys here?

I applied for two positions at a district court that say ‘open until filled’. I’m going on a cruise in a few weeks and don’t want to miss hearing from HR.
The posting says due to the high number of applican… more

What’s the most valuable “soft skill” for any government lawyer? Looking to emphasize it in a cover letter

Any guidance on evaluation for GS-13/14 level attorney-adviser positions? Matching resume but credentials aren’t insane.

Anyone work as a Pro Se slaw Clerk? Any suggestions on standing out and getting an interview and the job?
I’ve seen some postings that say remote work is allowed and others that say nothing about it at… more

Has anyone signed a contract to work for X amount of years with the government and then broken that contract? Are there repercussions? The contract was two sentences that said I would work for X yea… more

Is a procurement position a dead end job?

Any general anecdotes about moving from a market-paying law firm to government? What was the experience like? Any regrets? How bad did the pay cut sting?

I graduated in 2016, did a state court clerkship, and then was hired as a hearing officer. I’m looking to apply for an attorney advisor position but wonder if my lack of ‘traditional’ legal work will … more

Does anyone feel like they’re selling themselves short by working in government? I graduated from a regional law school in 2018 and clerked for 2 years before moving into a GS-13 agency counsel role i… more

I took a temporary job as an attorney advisor at the SBA this past fall b/c it offered a regular paycheck, and my solo practice was suffering b/c of the pandemic. I like the work. I like working from … more

Why doesn’t anyone post in this bowl?

I was recently approached by a recruiter about a position as a litigation attorney at the DOJ. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any more specific information other than what I would be doing is “generall… more

Does anyone know the typical timeline for hiring more junior legal policy positions in a new administration? Is March the norm for junior hires?

I’ve been waiting for security clearance since July and just found out I’m pregnant after trying for a year. I’m hoping clearance will be granted in early spring 2021 and I can start work soon after. … more