Attorney for Federal Agency - Non-Litigation - Willing to take questions Forum

[Anonymous User]

If someone has already done one of these, disregard. I did not come through any honors program and do not work in DC. I will try to answer any questions people have.

[Anonymous User]

How did you hear about and apply for the position? Was it through USAJobs, or did you have a connection at the agency?

[Anonymous User]

If someone has already done one of these, disregard. I did not come through any honors program and do not work in DC. I will try to answer any questions people have.

Thanks. First year corporate associate at biglaw but looking to make switch to gov asap.

- How did you get the job?
- Salary range + benefits?
- Do you like it so far?

[Anonymous User]

OP - Position was advertised on USAjobs and on the agency homepage. I was am a non-trad and worked in the field that the agency serves prior to law school - which I think gave me a leg up. I sent in the initial applications materials - interviewed with the office and then with HQ. The onboarding took a few months, but otherwise pretty painless. I came in as a GS14 at a higher step - so pay is about $130k in a relatively low COL (4 bedroom house, not super fancy, but nice for $250k). Benefits are matching up to 5% in the Thrift Savings Plan - fixed annuity at retirement - subsidized (but not free) health insurance. I also get the mass transportation incentive - government pays for my monthly commute - up to $250 each month.

I really like my job. I am primarily an advisor on fiscal, acquisition and real estate issues, but also do a bit of environmental work and civilian personnel law. My higher HQ is very supportive and I feel like I have been given substantive and challenging work from the outset.

[anon sequitur]

How competitive was the application process? Do you know how many people applied/were interviewed? I've read that a good position will typically get 50-200 applications, of which probably 80-90% are substantially qualified.

How many years out of law school were you when you got hired?

How much do grades matter after 1-2 years experience?

[magnum_law]

First of all, congrats. Sounds like you're living the dream.

I've got a few Q's if you find the time...

Do you feel the rank/prestige of your law school was significant in attaining your position? How about class rank?

Was this your first gig out of law school? If not, what was your prior experience and for how long?

Also, how'd you break into the lower COL market? Never left? Strong ties coming from a major market? No ties at all?

[Anonymous User]

How competitive was the application process? Do you know how many people applied/were interviewed? I've read that a good position will typically get 50-200 applications, of which probably 80-90% are substantially qualified.

How many years out of law school were you when you got hired?

How much do grades matter after 1-2 years experience?

My understanding is that there were about 100 applications. I don't know the number of people that interviewed, or their qualifications.

I was 4 years out of law school when I got the position, my previous job was active duty JAG. With respect to grades, my agency asks for them unless you are more than 5 years out of law school.

[Anonymous User]

First of all, congrats. Sounds like you're living the dream.

I've got a few Q's if you find the time...

Do you feel the rank/prestige of your law school was significant in attaining your position? How about class rank?

Was this your first gig out of law school? If not, what was your prior experience and for how long?

Also, how'd you break into the lower COL market? Never left? Strong ties coming from a major market? No ties at all?

My school was not particularly prestigious, ranked in the 40s. My class rank was good though. I don't think it mattered too much though. My undergrad/grad and prior work experience were in the same industry though which helped me quite a bit (similar to a former aerospace engineer working for NASA office of counsel)

There weren't any hard questions about ties to the area. I had never been to the area before, but coming from a JAG background, you just sort of take it in stride.