Long Island DA offices Forum

[Anonymous User]

While they may not be as prestigious as offices within NYC, would people generally consider the Nassau and Suffolk DA offices as good starting points for someone with an interest in prosecuting in both state and federal government? I'm thinking along the lines of the AG offices, and USAOs.

[Anonymous User]

I interned as an UG at one of the suffolk county offices. Most of the attorneys there have either been there all their lives, or are planning on being there for the long haul. That's not to say that it's not a good starting point for those willing to move onto better things.

[Anonymous User]

Perhaps it's a bit different with Nassau given its proximity to NYC and having the USAO for EDNY in it?

[Anonymous User]

I interned in Nassau last summer and it got me an interview with EDNY USAO. Depending on the bureau you're assigned to you'll either have a good flow of projects or nothing to do. Seemed like a number of judges started out at the DA's office and there were ADAs in my bureau who were simultaneously part of federal prosecution depts.

With Nassau at least, if you end up getting hired, you'll be at district court for a few years. It's a mandatory assignment but you get a ton of court experience. That kind of exposure should be good for USAO or AG if you decide to move after a while. The one thing that's pretty obvious is that you're either there forever or leave after a few years for the private side. Attrition is pretty high. Being an ADA isn't as grand as people might think. Good perk though is that you will never work the type of hours other lawyers have.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the insight on matriculation to other offices. I was somewhat concerned that there might be a snob factor that would compel USAOs/AG offices to hire from bigger-name DA offices, but as you allude to, distinguished trial experience is exactly that and (from my own experience working with USAOs in other jurisdictions) it matters.

In Nassau specifically, did you get the sense that people liked the job/office? Do you have a sense about how the office is viewed generally by USAO-EDNY?

[Anonymous User]

People seemed pretty happy at Nassau. Like I said, there is a high attrition rate, which is normal for most DA offices, so people who stay are the ones who are really committed. It's a really relaxed atmosphere. Business casual is the norm and the ADAs tend to treat paralegals and other staff pretty well so there isn't a superiority factor like other law organizations.

It's tough to say what EDNY thinks of Nassau b/c I have no actual experience there but from what I can gather Nassau in general is pretty well respected. They tend to overcharge and go after every single thing so there are many opportunities for the ADAs to distinguish themselves, and the truth of the matter is that the state tends to win more than it loses.

The one thing for sure is that Nassau is considered one of the better DA offices in NY and it won't look poorly to USAO. I received a USAO interview for the summer as a 1L with no grades just b/c I interned with the DA. I would say Nassau is a good stepping stone for EDNY.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks very much. Anyone else's insight is also appreciated.