District Attorney's Offices 2015 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any ideas which prosecutorial offices hire post-graduation/bar passage?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what to expect in the third round for BK? I would really appreciate any help.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any ideas which prosecutorial offices hire post-graduation/bar passage?

All of the offices that need candidates and don't hire pre-graduation/bar passage. Los Angeles is included in that. If you go to the first page of this topic, there is a list of all of the ones that hire pre-bar. That will give you a good idea of what offices are likely to wait until post-bar.

Does anyone know what to expect in the third round for BK? I would really appreciate any help.

An interview very similar to your first round. No hypos, basically a getting to know you.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what to expect in the third round for BK? I would really appreciate any help.

An interview very similar to your first round. No hypos, basically a getting to know you.

That was not my 3rd round experience (and I was called back for a 4th). Mine was a getting to know you combined with some ethics hypos (probably 20 minutes worth or so).

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what to expect in the third round for BK? I would really appreciate any help.

An interview very similar to your first round. No hypos, basically a getting to know you.

That was not my 3rd round experience (and I was called back for a 4th). Mine was a getting to know you combined with some ethics hypos (probably 20 minutes worth or so).

Same anon as above that had a getting to know you. I guess it depends who you interview with. I also received a fourth round (and an offer).

[Anonymous User]

My third round (led to 4th) was about 30 min. of non-hypo questioning. A lot of back and forth about crim policy, and issues unique to NYC.

[Anonymous User]

Is the fourth round in BK just a formality?

[Anonymous User]

Is the fourth round in BK just a formality?

I do not know anyone who went into the fourth round in BK and did not receive an offer. However, do take it very seriously as questions are still asked as to why Brooklyn, why criminal prosecution, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Received an offer from Miami-Dade.

[Anonymous User]

Received an offer from Miami-Dade.

when and where? the guy told me the state attorney was coming up to NY in Feb for final interviews with new yorkers.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone here, as part of their interviews, have to do a mock closing or opening argument on the spot as part of the process? If so, how did you prepare (if they gave you time to prepare) and how did you think you fared? What are the interviewers expecting/looking at in these types of scenarios? Most of us have probably never done a closing or opening before so I'm trying to get a grasp of what the standard for judging is.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone here, as part of their interviews, have to do a mock closing or opening argument on the spot as part of the process? If so, how did you prepare (if they gave you time to prepare) and how did you think you fared? What are the interviewers expecting/looking at in these types of scenarios? Most of us have probably never done a closing or opening before so I'm trying to get a grasp of what the standard for judging is.

I heard the Queens DA's Office requires opening statements as part of their 2nd or 3rd round interview, but I am not sure if they provide you with facts in advance or on the spot. If it is on the spot, I cannot imagine the fact pattern being overly complex. If you have never given an opening or closing statement, I'd recommend looking up the basic structure so that you can at least come up with something well-organized and cohesive on the spot.

As far as the other offices, I never had to giving any sort of argument in any interview round.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone here, as part of their interviews, have to do a mock closing or opening argument on the spot as part of the process? If so, how did you prepare (if they gave you time to prepare) and how did you think you fared? What are the interviewers expecting/looking at in these types of scenarios? Most of us have probably never done a closing or opening before so I'm trying to get a grasp of what the standard for judging is.

I heard the Queens DA's Office requires opening statements as part of their 2nd or 3rd round interview, but I am not sure if they provide you with facts in advance or on the spot. If it is on the spot, I cannot imagine the fact pattern being overly complex. If you have never given an opening or closing statement, I'd recommend looking up the basic structure so that you can at least come up with something well-organized and cohesive on the spot.

As far as the other offices, I never had to giving any sort of argument in any interview round.

I went through this (this cycle). It was the 3rd (and final) round at Queens.

They'll send you a very short fact pattern in advance (it is NOT on the spot), and you just write a short 5 minute opening statement in advance. Since it's not on the spot, be prepared, and try to be memorized. You'll be giving it to the two top guys who interview you in a family small office, and it will be videotaped. I spent a good half hour to 45 minutes or so being interviewed about why DA, why Queens, and several hypos before I gave my opening, and then after I sat down, I was asked a lot of questions on strategy in the opening statement (a/k/a: "why'd you include this?" "what if I convinced you to this, how do you think that would change your strategy?" etc.). If you have trial team or trial ad experience, this shouldn't be that big of a deal. I actually had fun going back and forth with them on why I did or didn't do certain things, how'd I'd handle objections to certain things, etc. I actually went through all of the rounds at each office, and I can honestly say the 3rd round at Queens was the most intense, but also the most interesting. Both of the Exec ADA's were very nice, and of course their hiring person is just great. I really liked Queens.

If you don't have trial team or trial ad experience, the key to openings is to simply outline what you expect the admissible evidence is going to show. So pay attention to things like hearsay, relevance, etc. that you spot in the fact pattern. Obviously if something is rank hearsay, and you can't think of some way it would get into a trial, don't use it as part of your outline in the opening statement.

[Anonymous User]

Received an offer from Miami-Dade.

when and where? the guy told me the state attorney was coming up to NY in Feb for final interviews with new yorkers.

Do you know when in February?

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone here, as part of their interviews, have to do a mock closing or opening argument on the spot as part of the process? If so, how did you prepare (if they gave you time to prepare) and how did you think you fared? What are the interviewers expecting/looking at in these types of scenarios? Most of us have probably never done a closing or opening before so I'm trying to get a grasp of what the standard for judging is.

I heard the Queens DA's Office requires opening statements as part of their 2nd or 3rd round interview, but I am not sure if they provide you with facts in advance or on the spot. If it is on the spot, I cannot imagine the fact pattern being overly complex. If you have never given an opening or closing statement, I'd recommend looking up the basic structure so that you can at least come up with something well-organized and cohesive on the spot.

As far as the other offices, I never had to giving any sort of argument in any interview round.

I went through this (this cycle). It was the 3rd (and final) round at Queens.

They'll send you a very short fact pattern in advance (it is NOT on the spot), and you just write a short 5 minute opening statement in advance. Since it's not on the spot, be prepared, and try to be memorized. You'll be giving it to the two top guys who interview you in a family small office, and it will be videotaped. I spent a good half hour to 45 minutes or so being interviewed about why DA, why Queens, and several hypos before I gave my opening, and then after I sat down, I was asked a lot of questions on strategy in the opening statement (a/k/a: "why'd you include this?" "what if I convinced you to this, how do you think that would change your strategy?" etc.). If you have trial team or trial ad experience, this shouldn't be that big of a deal. I actually had fun going back and forth with them on why I did or didn't do certain things, how'd I'd handle objections to certain things, etc. I actually went through all of the rounds at each office, and I can honestly say the 3rd round at Queens was the most intense, but also the most interesting. Both of the Exec ADA's were very nice, and of course their hiring person is just great. I really liked Queens.

If you don't have trial team or trial ad experience, the key to openings is to simply outline what you expect the admissible evidence is going to show. So pay attention to things like hearsay, relevance, etc. that you spot in the fact pattern. Obviously if something is rank hearsay, and you can't think of some way it would get into a trial, don't use it as part of your outline in the opening statement.

Thank you both. I was told my interview would be over 2 hours long and would be based on an oral exam. I don't know what they could possibly get me to do in such a long time. I'm guessing I should expect an opening and/or closing because it is going to be a long interview. Anyone know what else could possibly be included in such an interview because of the length of time? I can't imagine it would take over two hours to do a bunch of hypos, closing AND opening. BTW this is the second round for one of the major DA's offices (not in NY).

[Anonymous User]

Thank you both. I was told my interview would be over 2 hours long and would be based on an oral exam. I don't know what they could possibly get me to do in such a long time. I'm guessing I should expect an opening and/or closing because it is going to be a long interview. Anyone know what else could possibly be included in such an interview because of the length of time? I can't imagine it would take over two hours to do a bunch of hypos, closing AND opening. BTW this is the second round for one of the major DA's offices (not in NY).

Anon who went through Queens 3rd round here.

I mean, it's possible. I think my interview went for an hour and 15 minutes, and I only had a 5 minute opening. The opening was sandwiched by a lot of questioning (first half = hypos and general getting to know you questions and latter half = discussing my strategies and other strategic decision to make at the hypothetical trial). If they're having you do a longer opening/closing or both an opening/closing, I could see how that could go for two hours.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know how in-depth offices' background checks are? I've heard of police backgrounds uncovering incidents where charges weren't ever brought. Are prosecution offices the similar, or are they more like your standard criminal background check?

[Anonymous User]

Received an offer from Miami-Dade.

Can you share a bit about the final round interview? What to expect? Any specifics to watch out for? Was offer given at the end?

[Anonymous User]

i have a first round with miami dade upcoming, any pointers

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Philly yet?

[Anonymous User]

I got my rejection letter from philly about a week ago.. good luck to all who are still waiting to hear!!

Anyone have a final round in Nassau yet with Acting DA Singas? Any tips or advice?!?

[Anonymous User]

any news from brooklyn DA recently?

[Anonymous User]

any news from brooklyn DA recently?

I'm also wondering what's going on with Brooklyn, been waiting to hear back from a third round for a few weeks now.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had experience asking an office for an extension to consider the offer? I received an offer Thursday night for Nassau, I'm really excited about it, but they gave me until Monday (so basically one business day) to call them back with my answer. I called DANY, and they scheduled me for a third round interview for next Friday (four days after I'm supposed to tell Nassau my response) and they told me to ask Nassau for a week extension. Has anyone done this? I'm scared to make Nassau angry but I obviously want to interview again with DANY. Also, what should I say? That I just need more time to speak with family/get residency stuff in motion (I currently live in NYC and there is a Nassau county residency requirement) or say I have an interview with DANY?

PLEASE tell me anything you know !! I need help!!