What is the best way to get into big fed without big law Forum

[Anonymous User]

T14 1L here. What is the most reliable or well-trodden path? Obviously clerking, but what choices during law school besides high grades? Would love to avoid the big firm life

[Anonymous User]

High grades, clerk, do fedgov internships (or at very least, public sector).

The big issue you face is that many/most agencies only hire entry level attorneys through the various honors programs, which is a relatively limited pool, so it’s probably good to think about a plan B. (I think social security and the VA hire newbies to review benefits decisions but those are not good jobs.)

It’s also pretty important to be able to speak convincingly about your dedication to the mission, which can partly be “public service” but should be more specific to the agency (and component) you’re targeting.

[Anonymous User]

I did a state enforcement agency and got offers to join the CFPB and FINRA, but not my first choices in terms of groups. Federal agencies typically don't hire out of law school, other than honors programs, or from state agencies (at least in NY). Other than clerkship --> honors program, doing big law for at least two years will substantially increase your chances of getting in. Possibly a state agency in a smaller state with a office for one of the agencies might work (possibly Denver, Colorado, for example, which has an SEC office).

[Anonymous User]

Not contesting anything said above, but want to underline that Plan A still ought to be the honors/entry-level programs. Those are the well-trodden path you seek and the above lay out some alternative options. Focus on getting solid grades + demonstrating interest in the work the target agency does via work experience, relevant courses, and ideally a Note you can get published. Network as much as you can 1L and 2L summer too - can help a lot too assuming you get positions relevant to your goal position.
Best of luck

[Anonymous User]

I did a state enforcement agency and got offers to join the CFPB and FINRA, but not my first choices in terms of groups. Federal agencies typically don't hire out of law school, other than honors programs, or from state agencies (at least in NY). Other than clerkship --> honors program, doing big law for at least two years will substantially increase your chances of getting in. Possibly a state agency in a smaller state with a office for one of the agencies might work (possibly Denver, Colorado, for example, which has an SEC office).

What is the common path for CFPB and similar? Do they mostly hire from former interns?

[Anonymous User]

I did a state enforcement agency and got offers to join the CFPB and FINRA, but not my first choices in terms of groups. Federal agencies typically don't hire out of law school, other than honors programs, or from state agencies (at least in NY). Other than clerkship --> honors program, doing big law for at least two years will substantially increase your chances of getting in. Possibly a state agency in a smaller state with a office for one of the agencies might work (possibly Denver, Colorado, for example, which has an SEC office).

What is the common path for CFPB and similar? Do they mostly hire from former interns?

Historically they hired out of state agencies and some groups, like examinations which has lawyers, still do. Enforcement hires out of big law now. The last couple hires came out of big law or other federal agencies.

[Anonymous User]

I did a state enforcement agency and got offers to join the CFPB and FINRA, but not my first choices in terms of groups. Federal agencies typically don't hire out of law school, other than honors programs, or from state agencies (at least in NY). Other than clerkship --> honors program, doing big law for at least two years will substantially increase your chances of getting in. Possibly a state agency in a smaller state with a office for one of the agencies might work (possibly Denver, Colorado, for example, which has an SEC office).

What is the common path for CFPB and similar? Do they mostly hire from former interns?

Historically they hired out of state agencies and some groups, like examinations which has lawyers, still do. Enforcement hires out of big law now. The last couple hires came out of big law or other federal agencies.

To clarify—honors hiring.

[crazywafflez]

I'm in a smaller market and from what I've seen most either did some kind of honors program or were BL. I will say though, that for AUSA/AFPDs, I've still seen a number who didn't clerk/ do BL and were line ADAs/PDs for a decade and rose up.
I believe the different branches of the ACLU do hire new grads, if I'm not mistaken (not a fed agency but if you're more into PI type stuff, there may be more wiggle room).
I've seen state agency folks join their fed counter parts as well, but maybe not as common as ADA to AUSA route.

[Anonymous User]

T40 here, no law review, middle of the road grades. I'm an AUSA who has handled some pretty big cases. My path consisted of becoming a skilled trial lawyer on the civil side, first at a small law firm and then at a state/local agency working on civil trials.

[Anonymous User]

I did a state enforcement agency and got offers to join the CFPB and FINRA, but not my first choices in terms of groups. Federal agencies typically don't hire out of law school, other than honors programs, or from state agencies (at least in NY). Other than clerkship --> honors program, doing big law for at least two years will substantially increase your chances of getting in. Possibly a state agency in a smaller state with a office for one of the agencies might work (possibly Denver, Colorado, for example, which has an SEC office).

What is the common path for CFPB and similar? Do they mostly hire from former interns?

Historically they hired out of state agencies and some groups, like examinations which has lawyers, still do. Enforcement hires out of big law now. The last couple hires came out of big law or other federal agencies.

To clarify—honors hiring.

Yes, they have a strong preference for former interns/externs.

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Which agency? (A group?)

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Which agency? (A group?)

sec

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Which agency? (A group?)

sec

Wow I didn't even realize they had an honors program. Is it all enforcement if they clerked?

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Two or more?? Who is clerking for three years and why...

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Two or more?? Who is clerking for three years and why...

SCOTUS clerks mostly, though some others do it (e.g. those with two-year district plus one-year circuit clerkships)

[lavarman84]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Two or more?? Who is clerking for three years and why...

I did. My D. Ct. clerkship was a two-year clerkship. I wanted the option of doing appellate work, so I applied for and landed a one-year COA clerkship. I do a mix of trial and appellate work now, so I have zero regrets about that decision.

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Two or more?? Who is clerking for three years and why...

I did. My D. Ct. clerkship was a two-year clerkship. I wanted the option of doing appellate work, so I applied for and landed a one-year COA clerkship. I do a mix of trial and appellate work now, so I have zero regrets about that decision.

Understood. I read the previous message as three clerkships but this is an obvious exception.

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

my agency just hired a dozen honors attorneys, and not a single one was straight out of law school.

interning at your desired agency and then clerking for two or more years is a good bet.

state supreme, article i, and magistrate judge clerkships are fine.

Which agency? (A group?)

sec

Wow I didn't even realize they had an honors program. Is it all enforcement if they clerked?

bump