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Is it permitted, barred, or looked down on to do small side work if you are a federal general attorney? Such as drafting some wills or contracts in the evenings and weekends? I'm not talking about going to court or doing litigation.

It depends on the agency and your role within it as an attorney. I know that for my agency, outside law practice is typically prohibited without management approval. While they'll approve some stuff where the federal government isn't conflicted, they tend to limit it to pro bono activity. And the place I work doesn't do litigation at all.

Some places are incredibly strict in limiting outside practice - I believe DOJ places an all-out ban on it.

At least for judiciary employees, there are ethics rules against doing other legal work. I would think government work is the same.

Anonymous User wrote:It depends on the agency and your role within it as an attorney. I know that for my agency, outside law practice is typically prohibited without management approval. While they'll approve some stuff where the federal government isn't conflicted, they tend to limit it to pro bono activity. And the place I work doesn't do litigation at all.

Some places are incredibly strict in limiting outside practice - I believe DOJ places an all-out ban on it.

Thanks. I'll have to check with mine. I'd like to do a little bit of will/contract drafting on the side to make a little extra.

There's probably regs in the CFR for your agency or department.