Should I take this government gig?
Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 11:57 am
Hi everyone. Hoping the TLS hive mind can help me out, just like it did when I was picking my law school and my firm.
My situation: 5th year litigation associate in my mildly expensive home secondary market. Slated to make roughly 230 plus bonus this year at a well regarded but not NYC-market paying firm. I'm well liked here, so my job isn't in any jeopardy for the foreseeable future, but I have no desire to try and gun for partner. I dislike my job, but am not miserable. Goal has always been to work in government, specifically something at the intersection of law and public policy.
Job offer: I've recently been offered a supervisory position at the local city attorney's office. Pay would be roughly $120,000 with small raises each year. Good benefits and an excellent pension plan. Work would be a combination of litigation and advising government bodies. Hours from what I can tell are 8:30 to 5, with a possibility after a year to go to an 80/9 schedule and have every other Friday off. Clicked with the other folks in the office who I'd be working with. Seems like there's a good opportunity for advancement in this office or other government positions.
Financials: I still have about $100,000 in debt from law school, and pay about $800 a month after refinancing. No other debt. Spouse makes $50,000 a year. No kids or plan to have kids in the near future. We've really been stocking away money the last couple of years, so have enough for a down payment saved up. Our combined salary would let us live quite comfortably.
My gut is telling me this is a good opportunity doing the kind of work I want to do and making a solid living, and I'm inclined to take it.
Thoughts? Anything I should be considering that I might not be at the moment?
My situation: 5th year litigation associate in my mildly expensive home secondary market. Slated to make roughly 230 plus bonus this year at a well regarded but not NYC-market paying firm. I'm well liked here, so my job isn't in any jeopardy for the foreseeable future, but I have no desire to try and gun for partner. I dislike my job, but am not miserable. Goal has always been to work in government, specifically something at the intersection of law and public policy.
Job offer: I've recently been offered a supervisory position at the local city attorney's office. Pay would be roughly $120,000 with small raises each year. Good benefits and an excellent pension plan. Work would be a combination of litigation and advising government bodies. Hours from what I can tell are 8:30 to 5, with a possibility after a year to go to an 80/9 schedule and have every other Friday off. Clicked with the other folks in the office who I'd be working with. Seems like there's a good opportunity for advancement in this office or other government positions.
Financials: I still have about $100,000 in debt from law school, and pay about $800 a month after refinancing. No other debt. Spouse makes $50,000 a year. No kids or plan to have kids in the near future. We've really been stocking away money the last couple of years, so have enough for a down payment saved up. Our combined salary would let us live quite comfortably.
My gut is telling me this is a good opportunity doing the kind of work I want to do and making a solid living, and I'm inclined to take it.
Thoughts? Anything I should be considering that I might not be at the moment?