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Randomly saw an ad from the FBI looking to recruit Special Agents with JDs.

I am a current Big Law Associate bored and wistfully daydreaming about joining.

Anybody have info? How is life? What's day-to-day like?

You know, they could be vague posting, but I don't think we have one of those here? Might be best to ask one of their recruiters?????

Biggest barrier if you were to actually join would be a >70% pay cut. But there are huge barriers to attorneys joining. You have to be able to pass a top secret security clearance, which includes a lie detector. Then you have to be able to pass the physical exam, be younger than 35, be able to find another job at 55 when you get retired. I’m sure it’s a cool and exciting job, but it would be a major shock to someone working biglaw.

andythefir wrote:Biggest barrier if you were to actually join would be a >70% pay cut. But there are huge barriers to attorneys joining. You have to be able to pass a top secret security clearance, which includes a lie detector. Then you have to be able to pass the physical exam, be younger than 35, be able to find another job at 55 when you get retired. I’m sure it’s a cool and exciting job, but it would be a major shock to someone working biglaw.

Wrt the bolded, though, you get a sweet pension and plenty of people are going to want to hire a former FBI agent.

In addition to the paycut, which would be much bigger than if you went into the federal government in an attorney position, you would also have minimal input about where you would be posted for the first 6 years or so. So be prepared to live in some less than desirable locations.

It's a pretty rigorous physical exam if you aren't used to working out. There's also an insane background check that can last for a year or longer. But besides that, it seems like a pretty good gig if you can get it.

The background check is very extensive. Lets just say its not just looking at your records.

Anonymous User wrote:It's a pretty rigorous physical exam if you aren't used to working out. There's also an insane background check that can last for a year or longer. But besides that, it seems like a pretty good gig if you can get it.

This actually seems like the best part to me. I heard that you’re paid for a 50hr work week because you’re paid to work out. I’m in the gym (almost) everyday so I’m excited about this part lol.

lapolicia wrote:In addition to the paycut, which would be much bigger than if you went into the federal government in an attorney position, you would also have minimal input about where you would be posted for the first 6 years or so. So be prepared to live in some less than desirable locations.

Got it. This is probably what would stop me from doing it. I’m married so I don’t think I could move my wife around repeatedly.

gaddockteeg wrote:Randomly saw an ad from the FBI looking to recruit Special Agents with JDs.

I am a current Big Law Associate bored and wistfully daydreaming about joining.

Anybody have info? How is life? What's day-to-day like?

Yep. So my SIL was an attorney who had worked as a prosecutor and in corporate. Her application process took over a year. She was in the advanced stages. Then one day, they called and said, "So...it turns out that your marijuana use in college was more than experimental. It was recreational. Thank you for your time. This ends your candidacy." And just like that, after she and my bro had been preparing which states he could practice law in/she could be assigned to...it was over.

One of her college roomies ratted her out that she was a bit of a stoner back in the day. BTW, this was 15+ years in the past, and that's how far back they dug.

Yup. They will even spy on you.