How to become a AUSA? Forum

[Connor Benz]

Does anybody know the different avenues to become an AUSA?

I hear that a good way is working at a big law firm then moving over, or going through the honors program for the DOJ. However, what if I do not want to do that. Is it possible for me to work my way up? Meaning, become a ADA, then a ASA then try to become an AUSA?
Is it exclusively just through the honors program and law firms?

[84651846190]

There are many threads about this. Try using the search feature.

[Connor Benz]

There are many threads about this. Try using the search feature.

thanks? I don't know if this is genuine help, or your way of trying to be funny.

[84651846190]

There are many threads about this. Try using the search feature.

thanks? I don't know if this is genuine help, or your way of trying to be funny.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Atop-law-schools.com+ausa

[rtb2008x]

It varies. Predominantly you hear about AUSAs coming from biglaw/DOJ Honors. However, you can be an ADA for several years, perhaps do some networking, and then apply to be an AUSA. I also knew someone who straight out of law school worked as a government analyst for several years, and then later applied/was accepted as an AUSA.

Typically USAO is searching for applicants (1) who possess a few years of really good litigation work, and (2) who have credible contacts to vouch for their good work.

But on the whole, different offices do take people who may all have different legal backgrounds.

[Anonymous User]

Matters. There is more or less no chance in doing it just out of law school. DOJ Honors is possible, but most offices don't participate and those that do require generally require federal clerkships. How the hiring process works is that an office will post an opening. Then the USAJobs website or what not scores all the applications for grades, experience, etc. and sends the 50 or so best along to the hiring person at the specific office. Then the particular office has discretion in choosing new attorneys.

In Texas the convention is that most AUSA's in the Southern & Eastern districts tend to come from DA backgrounds, while in the Western & Northern districts its more big law & fed. govt. lifer oriented. In my experience, a lot of AUSA's in white collar got the job when they were seconded as SAUSA's from the State AG's Medicaid fraud division. The route that has the largest yield is probably JAG attorneys.

A general rule of thumb is that offices in megacities (SD/ED NY, D.C., CD/ND Cal.) require big law, while those in lesser cities/rural areas are more DA oriented. There are exceptions (S.D. Tex. for example), but this makes some sense. In megacities, the profession is so large that it is unlikely that those in charge of hiring/firing will know any of the people applying for the job. In smaller regions, the bar is a lot smaller and so there are more personal relationships that can be cultivated.