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I was a government lawyer for 13 years (as a deputy state attorney general), in biglaw for 10 years and in my own firm for 20 years. Looking back, I had the most fulfilling time as a government lawyer.
While many young lawyers in biglaw were drafting memos or plowing through mountains of documents, I was arguing cases in the state appellate courts, in three federal circuits and in the U.S. Supreme Court in my fifth year. I got to represent state environmental agencies in interesting cases in trial courts around the state. And I always had time to do my very best work.
I would not generalize my experience as being typical. And for those not self-motivated, there are dreary ruts to fall into in both government and private practice. But one generalization is universal. Government lawyers are free from the worry and imperative of partners in private practice to bring in business. A study in my biglaw firm showed that the average matter lasted 90 days. So unless new work came in the door, a practice was dead in the water in three months.
Private practice offers the potential of greater financial rewards and a greater potential for failure. Government work offers a much better work-life balance. Beyond that, your individual experience will be created by motivation, talent and luck.
I disagree. Joined government and I’m going crazy. The level of output is subpar - think 1-2nd year level of legal analysis and project management in big law. The attitude or willingness to do work beyond a narrow scope or checklist is non-existent. Everyone is afraid to do anything different or even consider the legal reasons for why we use certain provisions or documents.
I think this is a good job for those who hate practicing law and legal analysis but don’t know what else to do. If you want to continue to grow as an attorney and do legal work instead of admin paper pushing- don’t come to government until you’re about to retire or you have shit going on in your life and need a place to turn off your brain for 9-5.
Rising Star
Do you have a hook up with Kamala? Can you get a referral fee?
Pro
Is it? What level did you practice at? I'm at the local level and feel like I'm spinning my wheels.
Pro
A2, I'm jealous.
Agree
What does publish with state bar mean?
How do I get into that? I‘ve only done plaintiff personal injury and I’m burned out