Should my kid bail on DOJ Honors

[Anonymous]

My son graduated with honors last year from a Top 6 law school and is currently doing a federal appellate clerkship

He didn’t take a BigLaw offer while in school and is now gearing up his job search. Hoping for a boutique litigation firm but also just had interviews with a couple of sections for the DOJ Honors Program

After the election, he’s now thinking about totally bailing on DOJ. Would that be a sensible decision? Not a lawyer, so I have no insight to offer him and am looking for advice

Student loan debt isn’t an issue and he doesn’t have a burning desire for public interest / government service, is focusing on trying to find interesting work with decent work-life balance

[Anonymous]

No, absolutely not. DOJ honors is a really great way to start a legal career. And it’s supposed to be nonpartisan. If he wants to be a do-gooder he can look for a legal aid fellowship and get paid $35k/yr.

[Anonymous]

At entry level he will be well insulated. But he should have a plan to leave for private as soon as possible.

[Anonymous]

No. That’s dumb.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the section. I wouldn’t go to civil rights or oil right now. I interned in civil rights during the Bush administration and it was career people trying to do their jobs and politicals trying to stop them from doing their jobs. People got demoted by the politicals it was bad.

When you say money is not an issue, are you guys so incredibly wealthy that it doesn’t matter that he could literally make more than triple in the private sector his first year? He could probably get a $100,000 bonus for his clerk ship, at least, and then he would probably start around $300,000 at a big law firm. And possibly get an additional bonus on top of that.

you say you don’t know much about law so I think you should mostly stay out of this decision and let your son make his decisions because I’m sure he knows far far more than you do

[Anonymous]

Your son was smart enough to get a federal pellet clerk shit. Let him figure this out for himself. You admit you don’t know anything about it. It’s better he figure this out for himself without help from his mom based on DCurbanmom

[Anonymous]

He hasn’t committed to DOJ honors yet? I’m a lawyer and I agree with his plan to bail. With his resume he will get a job at a small firm and he could look at non profits and state government as well, there are some great positions in those sectors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He hasn’t committed to DOJ honors yet? I’m a lawyer and I agree with his plan to bail. With his resume he will get a job at a small firm and he could look at non profits and state government as well, there are some great positions in those sectors.

+1. I wouldn't want the stress and uncertainty of working for this administration. He has other great options.

[Anonymous]

I'm a DOJ HP alum, and I think it is the best legal job you can get. DH is still there, and SES.

There may be be some seismic shifts at the top, but they likely won't affect your DC at all if they manage to get hired.

Tangent: I do get annoyed when I hear this "work life balance!" stuff coming from people looking at DOJ -- within a month or two I had my own docket. Plenty of cases I alone was responsible for. I worked very, very hard. But whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a DOJ HP alum, and I think it is the best legal job you can get. DH is still there, and SES.

There may be be some seismic shifts at the top, but they likely won't affect your DC at all if they manage to get hired.

Tangent: I do get annoyed when I hear this "work life balance!" stuff coming from people looking at DOJ -- within a month or two I had my own docket. Plenty of cases I alone was responsible for. I worked very, very hard. But whatever.

I'm this PP. I'll add that I was in a litigating division that was relatively insulated from political upheaval for multiple reasons. It might help if you tell us where he interviewed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son graduated with honors last year from a Top 6 law school and is currently doing a federal appellate clerkship

He didn’t take a BigLaw offer while in school and is now gearing up his job search. Hoping for a boutique litigation firm but also just had interviews with a couple of sections for the DOJ Honors Program

After the election, he’s now thinking about totally bailing on DOJ. Would that be a sensible decision? Not a lawyer, so I have no insight to offer him and am looking for advice

Student loan debt isn’t an issue and he doesn’t have a burning desire for public interest / government service, is focusing on trying to find interesting work with decent work-life balance

Interviews are not offers.

Federal government hiring freeze may be a very legitimate concerns.

No, it would not be a sensible decision as your son currently has no job offers. While it is highly likely that he will receive offers of employment, he should proceed with pursuing all current opportunities that are of interest to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a DOJ HP alum, and I think it is the best legal job you can get. DH is still there, and SES.

There may be be some seismic shifts at the top, but they likely won't affect your DC at all if they manage to get hired.

Tangent: I do get annoyed when I hear this "work life balance!" stuff coming from people looking at DOJ -- within a month or two I had my own docket. Plenty of cases I alone was responsible for. I worked very, very hard. But whatever.

How long do you think dh will remain an ses at DOJ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At entry level he will be well insulated. But he should have a plan to leave for private as soon as possible.

Yes. He'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the section. I wouldn’t go to civil rights or oil right now. I interned in civil rights during the Bush administration and it was career people trying to do their jobs and politicals trying to stop them from doing their jobs. People got demoted by the politicals it was bad.

When you say money is not an issue, are you guys so incredibly wealthy that it doesn’t matter that he could literally make more than triple in the private sector his first year? He could probably get a $100,000 bonus for his clerk ship, at least, and then he would probably start around $300,000 at a big law firm. And possibly get an additional bonus on top of that.

you say you don’t know much about law so I think you should mostly stay out of this decision and let your son make his decisions because I’m sure he knows far far more than you do

This is the right take. Depends on the section and most will be totally fine and it would be dumb to turn down. Don't make the decision until the last minute if possible. He will really kick himself for bailing if it turns out he would have been totally fine and missed out on what is otherwise a fantastic career starter. It's so hard to get the same experience and exposure at a firm. Almost impossible.

[Anonymous]

No. Did he get an offer? He should take it if he thinks he may want to do something related to governmental investigations or is really interested. Many sections are not political at all. Also, my husband did DOJ honors and has had a very very successful career in both public and private practice, and made partner more quickly than me and his other peers that didn’t have DOJ experience in his area, white color. These things are all relative to what your son wants to do, however.