DOJ Honors Program 2014-15 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone received notification of being selected for an interview yesterday or today, as opposed to just Wednesday? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone going to ask for an extension on accepting their firm offer while waiting to hear from DoJ? I'm concerned if I ask for an extension that I may demonstrate a lack of commitment or interest, and not get my practice area of choice. Thoughts?

Chiming in as someone from last year's DOJ Honors cycle who faced this dilemma. I was fairly honest with my firm throughout the process: reiterating my sincere interest in accepting their offer, but also wanting to see how my Honors application might turn out. The firm was very accommodating, and granted me an extension (despite everything taking longer than usual due to the government shutdown). I think it helped that the firm recognized that DOJ Honors is a great opportunity, and I don't think that they faulted me for wanting to pursue it. I was fortunate to later get a spot in DOJ, and so politely declined the firm's offer. But I think that, had DOJ not worked out, I would still have been on good terms with the firm.

Obviously, YMMV.

Also relevant, from NALP (http://www.nalp.org/studentprofessionalism):

For candidates pursuing an opportunity with a public interest or government organization NALP guidelines state “students may request that an employer extend the deadline to accept the employer’s offer until as late as April 1 if the student is actively pursuing positions with public interest or government organizations. Students may hold open only one offer in such circumstances. Employers are encouraged to grant such requests.”

[Anonymous User]

Looks like component emails on Monday.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea on the start date if we are given an offer? Is it flexible?

[Anonymous User]

Any idea on the start date if we are given an offer? Is it flexible?

It may depend on component. I know for at least one component it was flexible, between October-December.

[Anonymous User]

3:07 Post from Deanna: "We are just about to start the interview notification and interview scheduling process, and many issues must be addressed individually. Stay tuned!"

5 o'clock has come and gone in the east, so I guess she was just toying with us?

[Anonymous User]

3:07 Post from Deanna: "We are just about to start the interview notification and interview scheduling process, and many issues must be addressed individually. Stay tuned!"

5 o'clock has come and gone in the east, so I guess she was just toying with us?

Eh, the most recent email said Monday. Have a great weekend!

[Anonymous User]

Sooo I'm confused, that means interview emails are still going out? (aka, so you're saying there's still a chance?)

[Anonymous User]

Sooo I'm confused, that means interview emails are still going out? (aka, so you're saying there's still a chance?)

From Friday's email (sent approx 1:30 pm Eastern):

We plan to issue messages notifying candidates which component or components selected them on Monday, September 29, 2014. We are in the last stages of finalizing our web postings, updating the forms you need to schedule your interviews, and preparing for the scheduling process. The notification message will provide you with the instructions you need to schedule your interview.

[Anonymous User]

Can anyone speak to the pros and cons of being an AUSA, especially compared to being a biglaw associate? Does anyone have any thoughts on civil versus criminal? And does anyone know the salary they pay an AUSA hired through DOJ Honors? I'm particularly interested in the C.D. Cal. office.

Pros: Better hours (?), more responsibility, getting courtroom experience.
Cons: Half the pay (?), less interesting cases (?)

[Anonymous User]

Can anyone speak to the pros and cons of being an AUSA, especially compared to being a biglaw associate? Does anyone have any thoughts on civil versus criminal? And does anyone know the salary they pay an AUSA hired through DOJ Honors? I'm particularly interested in the C.D. Cal. office.

Pros: Better hours (?), more responsibility, getting courtroom experience.
Cons: Half the pay (?), less interesting cases (?)

It probably varies by office/district. But yes, much better hours. Unless you have something specific going on that needs your attention (going to trial/big investigation) you don't need to check your phone on the evenings/weekends (you usually HAVE evenings/weekends). I do know people who work one day of the weekend, but I know plenty who don't - so it depends a little on what you want to do (some people attract more work, some people are good at avoiding it). Almost everyone in my office has kids, FWIW. I'm in a more flyover-y district, though, so CD Cal may be more demanding.

Civil AUSA work can be much less sophisticated than big law. There's a lot of defending against federal tort claims act suits and prisoner civil rights suits. But some districts may do more affirmative civil work than where I'm familiar with (e.g. civil fraud suits, although I don't know how common these are).

Criminal AUSA work is going to be much more varied/interesting (IMHO) than the white collar defense stuff in big law, in part because you will actually go to trial and work with agents and run investigations rather than negotiate trying to keep your client out of prison.

Whether you'd prefer civil to criminal is something you'd have to work out for yourself, I think. Criminal generally has less writing than civil, even in complex cases; discovery is also completely different..

As an AUSA, in many offices, your cases are your cases - you run the case from beginning to end. You get a lot of help at the beginning, of course, but it is all yours. I don't think there's any equivalent to this in biglaw for years, frankly. You go to court from the beginning and you argue in court from the beginning.

The caveat here is that some offices are organized differently and practice more horizontal prosecution - that is, you start doing intake/writing complaints, and just do that for however long - then you might move on to grand juries, and just do those for a while. And so on until you get to run cases. It's less responsibility right at the start, but it's arguably a more humane learning curve.

Pay is at the discretion of the USA, but minus locality pay, you'd probably start around $60k.

[Anonymous User]

Woo! Component emails are starting to come in!

[Anonymous User]

Just FYI, the emails arrive 3-5 minutes after Deanna says they've gone out.

[Anonymous User]

My empty inbox is quickly narrowing down who selected me for an interview.

[Anonymous User]

Just FYI, the emails arrive 3-5 minutes after Deanna says they've gone out.

And she is announcing each component/sub-office as she goes, so now is a good time to monitor the Community tab if you are not doing so already.

[Anonymous User]

so can we surmise that all interview emails have gone out?

[Anonymous User]

so can we surmise that all interview emails have gone out?

No, she is sending them out by component and it is still ongoing. Check the community tab.

[Anonymous User]

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. If our application status hasn't changed, should we assume that we will not be selected for an interview, since she is now sending out component emails?

[Anonymous User]

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. If our application status hasn't changed, should we assume that we will not be selected for an interview, since she is now sending out component emails?

+1

[Anonymous User]

Unfortunately, I have assumed the worse.

[Anonymous User]

Yea, looks like I have my answer. Congrats to all with interviews!

[Anonymous User]

Got my component interview today: interviewing with the U.S. Trustee's Office, just as I hoped. For reference top 40% CCN, worked part-time at a bankruptcy boutique since last January, full time this summer, have an article published in a bankruptcy journal, no student journal. Resume and background scream bankruptcy. Anyone know the odds for the Trustee's Office from here on out? 1/3 get hired? 1/2?

[Anonymous User]

Unfortunately, I have assumed the worse.

I think it's the worst. After the EOIR ones just went out all of my hope was lost.

[Anonymous User]

All component emails have gone out. Deana recommends we wait an hour to make sure all emails have reached their intended inbox destinations . . . but after that, I guess what you've got is all you're gonna get.

[Anonymous User]

Do people know if they schedule same-day or overnight travel for people from NYC?