Any AUSA/DOJ trial attorneys here? What’s life like compared to big law?

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AUSAs are all the biggest gunners from law school so its the same amount of work for 25% of the biglaw pay

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It depends. JK. In my experience, the hours as an AUSA were comparable to big law for about the first 18 months. In this time period there was a steep learning curve when I transitioned from a mid/junior-level associate at a firm where there was greater oversight, to being the sole person managing/resolving cases, moving investigations forward, and prepping for trials with just one trial partner and legal assistants that have a hard stop at 5.

At around 18-24 months in, I had completed enough reps on standard pleadings, investigative process, and few trials to be efficient and had a better handle of my calendar. At this point, as my former section chief assured me, “the job gets fun.”

Bottom line: Aside from prepping for trial or tricky dispositive motions, the fire drills are few and far between. On average days I’m logged on at 9 and can leave by 4:30-5:00 if I needed or wanted to. The bonus is I rarely check my phone or e-mail on weekends.

That said, you get out of the job what you put into it. And just like at a firm, people interested in management roles may pour in more hours raising their hand for extracurricular activities like being a law school ambassador, trial mentors to new AUSAs, and extern coordinators, etc. If that’s your end goal, then the the hours can add up.

But if you can survive the 67% pay cut and don’t mind making your own copies :) then it’s worth the freedom.

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Frigging gunners…

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