District Attorney's Offices 2015 Forum

[Anonymous User]

What's the word on applying with criminal record? Even if its all pre-law school, I'm wondering if I'm an auto-ding simply for having done some dumb stuff as a kid. I imagine its a case-by-case assessment, but very curious to hear if anyone knows has any datapoints/anecdotes.

[Anonymous User]

I got an AD panel interview. What type of questions do they ask? I need to brush up on the law.

[Anonymous User]

Had Nassau 2nd a few hypos how long before prole heard

[Anonymous User]

I got an AD panel interview. What type of questions do they ask? I need to brush up on the law.

I'm assuming you're talking about one of the NYC offices (though it would help to know which office specifically).

Generally there will be one ADA doing most of the talking, one ADA chiming in occasionally, and one ADA pretty much silently observing. It'll typically be split between a resume review and a long(ish) hypo. Those hypos are often geared more toward your intuition and ethical decision-making. There's often some kind of ethics question built into the hypo, e.g. disclosure, equal treatment of defendants (a/k/a one D is a cop, school teacher, whatever...do you agree to plead them down).

Panels tend to vary in intensity. Some are crazy intense, and others are not. Be prepared for both types.

[Anonymous User]

I've looked at a few DA offices, but criminal law has never been my cup of tea. I was just wondering why so many people on TLS talk about DA offices and almost no one talks about State Attorney General's offices.

ETA: I know this is somewhat off topic, but I'm asking because I've been wondering if I'm missing something. So far my focus has been on getting into a large state's AG, but I'm wondering if the DA crowd picked up on something that I missed.

[Anonymous User]

I would think State AG's offer less opportunities for entry-level attorneys in favor of lateraling assistant district attorneys and those who worked as appellate clerks and employment attorneys.

Illinois AG has a listing of the positions that they have but are not necessarily open jobs. http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/ ... index.html

Looking through them, most require at least two years of experience.

[Anonymous User]

second round brooklyn early september, no news still.

[Anonymous User]

Can anyone speak to format of Brooklyn 3rd round?
- number of interviewers, format, length, etc.

Had 2nd round with them over 2 weeks ago

[bigsrve1aj]

Background checks: Do offices confirm your unofficial law school transcripts as part of process?

[encore1101]

Background checks: Do offices confirm your unofficial law school transcripts as part of process?

I can't speak for every office, but my office asked for an unofficial transcript for my panel interview, then an official one during the background check.

[bigsrve1aj]

Thus, I assume signing an authorization to obtain records as part of background check would allow them the authority to receive my official transcripts.

[Anonymous User]

The above quoted salaries are correct aside from Brooklyn. Interviewer shared that Thompson was able to increase salaries and new ADAs will start around $58,000.

Really? When did you hear that? I heard $52K pretty recently.

I heard it was 52k...

[Anonymous User]

The above quoted salaries are correct aside from Brooklyn. Interviewer shared that Thompson was able to increase salaries and new ADAs will start around $58,000.

Really? When did you hear that? I heard $52K pretty recently.

I heard it was 52k...

^ it's come up in both of my rounds, and they definitely said $52K, not $58K.

[Anonymous User]

The above quoted salaries are correct aside from Brooklyn. Interviewer shared that Thompson was able to increase salaries and new ADAs will start around $58,000.

Really? When did you hear that? I heard $52K pretty recently.

I heard it was 52k...

^ it's come up in both of my rounds, and they definitely said $52K, not $58K.

Why does Brooklyn pay so much less? Does anyone have any idea on how much are the salary increases the first 3 years?

[Anonymous User]

that sounds really whack. ive definetely heard that brooklyn now pays more than bronx. 52K would make it equal to nassau.

[lisjjen]

that sounds really whack. ive definetely heard that brooklyn now pays more than bronx. 52K would make it equal to nassau.

But if we were doing this for the money, we wouldn't be looking for government jobs. (Either you love working for the public, you're going for 10 year loan forgiveness, or you're getting experience to make the money later in your career).

[Anonymous User]

that sounds really whack. ive definetely heard that brooklyn now pays more than bronx. 52K would make it equal to nassau.

But if we were doing this for the money, we wouldn't be looking for government jobs. (Either you love working for the public, you're going for 10 year loan forgiveness, or you're getting experience to make the money later in your career).

my thoughts. sounds naive but IMHO if your dedicated enough to the job to get multiple offers (which is the only circumstance I can think of that salary considerations would be a factor) than your probably not in it for the money. I mentioned that I turned down a 100K job just to be in the running for ADA positions and the panel interviewers barely batted an eyelash

[Anonymous User]

that sounds really whack. ive definetely heard that brooklyn now pays more than bronx. 52K would make it equal to nassau.

But if we were doing this for the money, we wouldn't be looking for government jobs. (Either you love working for the public, you're going for 10 year loan forgiveness, or you're getting experience to make the money later in your career).

The issue though is that some people (myself included) are more interested in Brooklyn as an office compared to Queens and the Bronx, but if I found myself in the enviable position of having multiple offers, it would be really hard to say no to a proportionally higher salary (after all, they are all low, but we knew that going in). $52K compared to the $60K(ish) of both the Bronx and Queens = an $8K difference, which is just really hard to swallow.

[Anonymous User]

that sounds really whack. ive definetely heard that brooklyn now pays more than bronx. 52K would make it equal to nassau.

But if we were doing this for the money, we wouldn't be looking for government jobs. (Either you love working for the public, you're going for 10 year loan forgiveness, or you're getting experience to make the money later in your career).

The issue though is that some people (myself included) are more interested in Brooklyn as an office compared to Queens and the Bronx, but if I found myself in the enviable position of having multiple offers, it would be really hard to say no to a proportionally higher salary (after all, they are all low, but we knew that going in). $52K compared to the $60K(ish) of both the Bronx and Queens = an $8K difference, which is just really hard to swallow.

I agree. and manhattan pays the most. If I had multiple offices, I'd go to the higher paid.

[Anonymous User]

Bronx has also been giving bonuses + raises on a yearly basis. Bonuses have been $2K-$4K for ADAs still within their commitment.

[Anonymous User]

Speaking of other NYC offices, what exactly is the 3rd round like at Queens? Do you not meet the DA? How does the offer process work (I know Manhattan is typically an offer in the 4th round with the DA)?

[encore1101]

Speaking of other NYC offices, what exactly is the 3rd round like at Queens? Do you not meet the DA? How does the offer process work (I know Manhattan is typically an offer in the 4th round with the DA)?

No, you don't meet the DA. You do an interview + mock opening statement in front of a bureau chief/deputy bureau chief and counsel to the chief assistant district attorney. If you do well, you'll get extended an offer over the phone later over the phone, with an official letter by mail following.

[Anonymous User]

VERY SERIOUS QUESTION GUYZ: full windsor or nah? I usually prefer a little assymetricalness in my life but:

Full windsor: symmetrical and fuller. Neat presentation, but could come off as overly corporate/cocky.

nah: assymetrical. embodies the in the trenches mindset of a line ADA and that you dont see yourself as above the cops/staff you'll be working with. But could come off as not "court ready" presentable.

I've been going with fill windsor but with a thin tie so to minimize the pomp-ness. Curious to what yall been doing.

[Anonymous User]

VERY SERIOUS QUESTION GUYZ: full windsor or nah? I usually prefer a little assymetricalness in my life but:

Full windsor: symmetrical and fuller. Neat presentation, but could come off as overly corporate/cocky.

nah: assymetrical. embodies the in the trenches mindset of a line ADA and that you dont see yourself as above the cops/staff you'll be working with. But could come off as not "court ready" presentable.

I've been going with fill windsor but with a thin tie so to minimize the pomp-ness. Curious to what yall been doing.

I usually let my shirt collar decide which knot I use. And if this offers any insight, I've seen police detectives on the stand in full windsor. I like your thin tie full windsor idea though! I'm sure this decision will make or break your interview lol

[Anonymous User]

Speaking of other NYC offices, what exactly is the 3rd round like at Queens? Do you not meet the DA? How does the offer process work (I know Manhattan is typically an offer in the 4th round with the DA)?

No, you don't meet the DA. You do an interview + mock opening statement in front of a bureau chief/deputy bureau chief and counsel to the chief assistant district attorney. If you do well, you'll get extended an offer over the phone later over the phone, with an official letter by mail following.

Different anon. Besides the opening statement is the rest of the interview different from any other kind of interview for an ADA position? More of why prosc. why crim. hypos etc.?