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I’ve been a lawyer for two years. Right out of law school I did a Fed government honors program and recently started at a new government job. This new job is extremely coveted (think OLC/OLP/NSD). I’ve been at the new job for 3 months. Recently got an offer from USAO in my wife’s hometown where her family lives. It’s a great area and I could see my parents moving there too. My wife and I would likely start having kids and saving up for a house. However it’s a hard decision given I’m in a highly prestigious position and trading that for a run of the mill USAO seems crazy to most. I’m afraid if I don’t become an AUSA now, I may be too many years out and too high salaried to get a job here in a year or two. Not to mention this position only opened up because of AG’s openings. It would be incredibly expensive to move there (very far) and I just started a great new job.

Please don’t quote.

What would you do in my position?

If the AUSA position is where you want to end up and it’s a job you could imagine yourself taking in a year or two (it sounds like it is) then get rid of the noise in your head about the prestige of your current job. It was such a hars mental switch for me to make but there is so more to life than what my resume says—my spouse, my kids, and the life that I’m building is what it’s all about. So, whatever role allows me to do that to the BEST of my ability is the role for me. I don’t know what your priorities are but i think the real question is where do you want to be 2, 3, 4+ years from now and would that be hindered by taking the AUSA position?