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Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 1:46 pm
by polaris769
I used to post a lot in these forums when I was applying to law school seven years ago, and even wrote one of the original law school profiles for these forums. Unfortunately, I haven't posted here in years, but feel free to ask me any questions.
I graduated from UVA LAW in the Class of 2012. I currently work in a federal government agency in its general counsel office.
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:14 pm
by zot1
Wanna share your grade?
What has been your career progression?
Ever had the itch to go private?
Location?
Thanks for doing this.
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 4:14 am
by LikelyThrowaway
I appreciate you taking the time.
What's your typical day like?
Does your work feel meaningful? Interesting?
Are you glad you went to law school? Glad you took this job?
How did you decide to pursue government work?
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 10:57 pm
by polaris769
zot1 wrote:Wanna share your grade?
What has been your career progression?
Ever had the itch to go private?
Location?
Thanks for doing this.
After law school, I served as a clerk for an administrative law judge at a federal agency, and once my clerkship ended, I applied for and received my current job. I believe my Judge was key in helping me get my current job as he was very well respected, and was a former chief judge of that agency. Both my federal jobs were in D.C. I have thought about going to biglaw many times, but I vastly prefer the lifestyle at my current job, which is very collegial.
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 11:05 pm
by polaris769
LikelyThrowaway wrote:I appreciate you taking the time.
What's your typical day like?
Does your work feel meaningful? Interesting?
Are you glad you went to law school? Glad you took this job?
How did you decide to pursue government work?
In my typical day I arrive at the office around 9:30, look over my emails, and start reading case materials. As a member of the General Counsel Office of my agency, I am assigned different cases that appealed from the trial level (where the cases are heard by my agency's ALJs). I then review the ALJ decision, the transcript, the briefs, and the relevant caselaw before preparing a memorandum on the case, which I send to the heads of my agency and their counsels. After I receive input from them, I work on preparing the majority decision.
My work is always interesting, though it is far more meaningful when I deal with broad complex issues.
I am glad I took this job and overall happy that I went to law school.
I decided to pursue government work due to the lifestyle, honestly.
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 11:52 pm
by twenty
Do they let you telework?
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:16 am
by zot1
polaris769 wrote:zot1 wrote:Wanna share your grade?
What has been your career progression?
Ever had the itch to go private?
Location?
Thanks for doing this.
After law school, I served as a clerk for an administrative law judge at a federal agency, and once my clerkship ended, I applied for and received my current job. I believe my Judge was key in helping me get my current job as he was very well respected, and was a former chief judge of that agency. Both my federal jobs were in D.C. I have thought about going to biglaw many times, but I vastly prefer the lifestyle at my current job, which is very collegial.
Thanks. I was more curious about your career progression within your agency.
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:40 am
by polaris769
twenty wrote:Do they let you telework?
Yes. The General Counsel for the agency, my immediate supervisor, is very flexible as to telework.
Re: Federal GCO (General Counsel Office) Attorney taking questions
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:43 am
by polaris769
zot1 wrote:polaris769 wrote:zot1 wrote:Wanna share your grade?
What has been your career progression?
Ever had the itch to go private?
Location?
Thanks for doing this.
After law school, I served as a clerk for an administrative law judge at a federal agency, and once my clerkship ended, I applied for and received my current job. I believe my Judge was key in helping me get my current job as he was very well respected, and was a former chief judge of that agency. Both my federal jobs were in D.C. I have thought about going to biglaw many times, but I vastly prefer the lifestyle at my current job, which is very collegial.
Thanks. I was more curious about your career progression within your agency.
After my first year, I received permanent status and a promotion in GS grade levels. Just finished my second year, and haven't received any news yet.