NYC firms for clerks Forum

[Lacepiece23]

I just don’t understand why people want to be an AUSA so bad. It doesn’t pay well (comparatively) and SDNY requires biglaw like hours. Only a few ever rise to political prominence out of the position. And not everyone gets through the revolving door to Biglaw partnership. Am I missing something?

there are some people who do it thinking it will make them a congressman or the next chairman of a V10 lit firm and if that is why then yeah you're right its probably dumb of them. for some people though they genuinely just like the work. I'm not an AUSA at SDNY but prosecuting SBF, Robert Menendez, and billionaires does seem kind of cool. Don't know why you would want to spend your days prosecuting felon in possession crimes, though, although everyone is different so maybe some people like that.

I guess that’s fair. Most AUSA’s I know do guns and drugs and can’t wait to get out after their four years are up. I know some said they were doing it for trial experience but cases in federal court still don’t go to trial that often.

So I guess it comes to getting off on putting that bad guy away. Not something I quite get but to each their own.

[Anonymous User]

I just don’t understand why people want to be an AUSA so bad. It doesn’t pay well (comparatively) and SDNY requires biglaw like hours. Only a few ever rise to political prominence out of the position. And not everyone gets through the revolving door to Biglaw partnership. Am I missing something?

there are some people who do it thinking it will make them a congressman or the next chairman of a V10 lit firm and if that is why then yeah you're right its probably dumb of them. for some people though they genuinely just like the work. I'm not an AUSA at SDNY but prosecuting SBF, Robert Menendez, and billionaires does seem kind of cool. Don't know why you would want to spend your days prosecuting felon in possession crimes, though, although everyone is different so maybe some people like that.

I guess that’s fair. Most AUSA’s I know do guns and drugs and can’t wait to get out after their four years are up. I know some said they were doing it for trial experience but cases in federal court still don’t go to trial that often.

So I guess it comes to getting off on putting that bad guy away. Not something I quite get but to each their own.

Is "four years" some sort of standard thing or requirement? Have never heard that four years number tossed around.

[Anonymous User]

I just don’t understand why people want to be an AUSA so bad. It doesn’t pay well (comparatively) and SDNY requires biglaw like hours. Only a few ever rise to political prominence out of the position. And not everyone gets through the revolving door to Biglaw partnership. Am I missing something?

there are some people who do it thinking it will make them a congressman or the next chairman of a V10 lit firm and if that is why then yeah you're right its probably dumb of them. for some people though they genuinely just like the work. I'm not an AUSA at SDNY but prosecuting SBF, Robert Menendez, and billionaires does seem kind of cool. Don't know why you would want to spend your days prosecuting felon in possession crimes, though, although everyone is different so maybe some people like that.

I guess that’s fair. Most AUSA’s I know do guns and drugs and can’t wait to get out after their four years are up. I know some said they were doing it for trial experience but cases in federal court still don’t go to trial that often.

So I guess it comes to getting off on putting that bad guy away. Not something I quite get but to each their own.

Is "four years" some sort of standard thing or requirement? Have never heard that four years number tossed around.

Never heard of that before. It sounds made up.

[Anonymous User]

I just don’t understand why people want to be an AUSA so bad. It doesn’t pay well (comparatively) and SDNY requires biglaw like hours. Only a few ever rise to political prominence out of the position. And not everyone gets through the revolving door to Biglaw partnership. Am I missing something?

OP here. I came to law school because I saw people in the communities I was working in be harmed by gangs and serious criminal activity (e.g. human trafficking), and the local USAO was heavily understaffed. I kinda missed the plot/got caught up in prestige games in law school, but now I'm out the other side the money doesn't actually motivate me at all and I want to actually do what I got into this profession to do.

I've also rethought my NYC focus. Shot in the dark, but anyone know anything about D-Montana's hiring?

[Lacepiece23]

I just don’t understand why people want to be an AUSA so bad. It doesn’t pay well (comparatively) and SDNY requires biglaw like hours. Only a few ever rise to political prominence out of the position. And not everyone gets through the revolving door to Biglaw partnership. Am I missing something?

there are some people who do it thinking it will make them a congressman or the next chairman of a V10 lit firm and if that is why then yeah you're right its probably dumb of them. for some people though they genuinely just like the work. I'm not an AUSA at SDNY but prosecuting SBF, Robert Menendez, and billionaires does seem kind of cool. Don't know why you would want to spend your days prosecuting felon in possession crimes, though, although everyone is different so maybe some people like that.

I guess that’s fair. Most AUSA’s I know do guns and drugs and can’t wait to get out after their four years are up. I know some said they were doing it for trial experience but cases in federal court still don’t go to trial that often.

So I guess it comes to getting off on putting that bad guy away. Not something I quite get but to each their own.

Is "four years" some sort of standard thing or requirement? Have never heard that four years number tossed around.

A few of my friends that did it said there was a four year commitment. Not sure they can force you to stay but yeah that’s what they told me. I think they mentioned it to me when I interviewed like 7 years ago as a second year. I was into it for the wrong reasons; I.e., trial experience and prestige. My mentor talked me out of accepting. This wasn’t an NYC gig but people routinely relocated to get the job.

[Lacepiece23]

I just don’t understand why people want to be an AUSA so bad. It doesn’t pay well (comparatively) and SDNY requires biglaw like hours. Only a few ever rise to political prominence out of the position. And not everyone gets through the revolving door to Biglaw partnership. Am I missing something?

OP here. I came to law school because I saw people in the communities I was working in be harmed by gangs and serious criminal activity (e.g. human trafficking), and the local USAO was heavily understaffed. I kinda missed the plot/got caught up in prestige games in law school, but now I'm out the other side the money doesn't actually motivate me at all and I want to actually do what I got into this profession to do.

I've also rethought my NYC focus. Shot in the dark, but anyone know anything about D-Montana's hiring?

Sorry for semi hijacking your thread. That all is super commendable and I seriously wish you the best of luck. I’m a plaintiffs lawyer and I’m doing exactly what I went to law school to do. Awesome you’re chasing that. Hats off.