Lateral to gov't - GS level? Forum

[Anonymous User]

After two years in biglaw, what GS level does one typically begin at if you lateral to a fed agency, assuming skill set a good match?

[Fed_Atty]

At my agency, attorneys typically start at GS 11, one year later GS 12 - one year later GS 13 - 18 months later GS 14 and if available, 24 months later to GS 15. So hopefully you could come in as a 13, but if you come in as a 12 you may be able to negotiate coming in at a higher step.

[Anonymous User]

At my agency, attorneys typically start at GS 11, one year later GS 12 - one year later GS 13 - 18 months later GS 14 and if available, 24 months later to GS 15. So hopefully you could come in as a 13, but if you come in as a 12 you may be able to negotiate coming in at a higher step.

So if one were to complete two years of biglaw and then enter big fed in DC, would the starting salary likely be step 1 of GS-13, or $74,584.00?

[MrT]

At my agency, attorneys typically start at GS 11, one year later GS 12 - one year later GS 13 - 18 months later GS 14 and if available, 24 months later to GS 15. So hopefully you could come in as a 13, but if you come in as a 12 you may be able to negotiate coming in at a higher step.

So if one were to complete two years of biglaw and then enter big fed in DC, would the starting salary likely be step 1 of GS-13, or $74,584.00?

I don't know the answer but GS13-1 is way higher than $74,584. Even GS12-1 is higher than that. I think you're forgetting locality pay. See this chart: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversig ... 17/DCB.pdf

[Rowinguy2009]

Yea GS 13, Step 1, in DC is around 95,000. This is what most agencies would probably start you at after two years in biglaw (a relatively small number would start you lower -- this is for positions like social security claims review and the like, although if I remember right even DOE civil rights starts you kinda low).

Most of the time the job posting lists the number of years you need to qualify at each grade.