Conflicts Re: Moving from Private Practice to FedGov Forum

[Anonymous User]

Background: current fed clerk here with another clerkship lined up for next term. Before my current clerkship I was in biglaw.

After my next clerkship is over, I plan on going back to private practice in some capacity for 2-3 years to pay off remaining student loans and build a nest egg. After that, though, I think I’ll try to move to a particular government agency. Most of the firms I’ve been looking to move to post-clerkships deal with this agency on a regular basis.

Basically, my question is what sort of conflict issues should I anticipate if I get a gig at the agency after having worked for these firms? Will I just be walled off from particular cases or will having worked directly across from the agency be a stumbling block to getting hired in the first place?

[lawfan2012]

In my experience you will just be walled off. Agencies hire people with experience on the other side of their matters all the time; it’s viewed as a plus in my opinion.

Edited a typo.