See hy do so many want Federal government jobs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does literally every Fed on DCUM make $200+? Lol. I'd jump at that chance, too. However, the lawyer jobs I see on USA jobs pay much less, including federal ALJ jobs.

Most have a career ladder, don’t they? So your pay would increase pretty quickly.

Yes, but the max is less than 200K. For example, I think ALJs cap out at around $187,000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does literally every Fed on DCUM make $200+? Lol. I'd jump at that chance, too. However, the lawyer jobs I see on USA jobs pay much less, including federal ALJ jobs.

Most have a career ladder, don’t they? So your pay would increase pretty quickly.

No, most don’t have a career ladder, or not one that goes to 200k. Regular GS15s max out at 183k. For comparison, I’m a scientist and my current position is capped at GS12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been used to $500k total comp., full time remote, 9-5 schedule, interesting work while an in-house lawyer at a corporation after a 15 yr career there. Looking again at 50 yrs old due to layoff and have been contacted by mid-size law firm (been in-house whole career), several in-house roles pending more interview rounds ranging $350-$375k total comp. and saw a Fed Reserve Board role also stating max is $273k. After a layoff, the FRB is tempting.

Is 9-5 really that typical for that comp in corporate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does literally every Fed on DCUM make $200+? Lol. I'd jump at that chance, too. However, the lawyer jobs I see on USA jobs pay much less, including federal ALJ jobs.

Most have a career ladder, don’t they? So your pay would increase pretty quickly.

Yes, but the max is less than 200K. For example, I think ALJs cap out at around $187,000.

With locality pay, it’s higher but still less than $200k. In the dc area, the 15s cap out at $183,500 and the ALJs cap out at $195,000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does literally every Fed on DCUM make $200+? Lol. I'd jump at that chance, too. However, the lawyer jobs I see on USA jobs pay much less, including federal ALJ jobs.

Most have a career ladder, don’t they? So your pay would increase pretty quickly.

No, most don’t have a career ladder, or not one that goes to 200k. Regular GS15s max out at 183k. For comparison, I’m a scientist and my current position is capped at GS12.

Same. My agency doesn't have ladders past 12.

[Anonymous]

You can make over 300K for some positions at the DHS CISA agency. That's well known. I am working with a few that are making over 270K as a Fed. My wife works in FinRegs and she makes over 230K, and many of her colleagues also make over 230K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

Can the comp time be used hour-for-hour whenever you want? So there is a pot of money for fed lawyers to get discretionary bonuses? Is this true for other fed employees?

I guess if you don't like a law firm environment and don't want to go in-house or can't, fed work pays decently well compared to other gov't work (state or local).

Yes, in general fed employees get bonuses for good performance, but it's not like what you get in a law firm. It's like $1k-$5k max, except maybe for the special pay agencies.

Yup, my bonus was about 2k last year, $4k this year.

And in my previous agency, litigators got hour for hour comp time. Not sure if that’s the norm for other agencies

What is comp time? I don't think my agency has that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

Can the comp time be used hour-for-hour whenever you want? So there is a pot of money for fed lawyers to get discretionary bonuses? Is this true for other fed employees?

I guess if you don't like a law firm environment and don't want to go in-house or can't, fed work pays decently well compared to other gov't work (state or local).

Yes, in general fed employees get bonuses for good performance, but it's not like what you get in a law firm. It's like $1k-$5k max, except maybe for the special pay agencies.

Yup, my bonus was about 2k last year, $4k this year.

And in my previous agency, litigators got hour for hour comp time. Not sure if that’s the norm for other agencies

What is comp time? I don't think my agency has that.

Comp time is leave u can use for working over 40 hrs. For example, when briefs are due or when prepping for a hearing, many attorneys work a lot more until the due date or hearing date. The addl hours worked can be used as leave. So often, a lot of attys come in late after a late night or take the day off after a hearing.

U don’t take it with u when u leave the agency. It has to be used while ur at that agency.

Other non law roles have comp time too. At USTR where they travel a lot, travel or work time during off hours can be comped as well. Although I think the culture is that most ppl don’t use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

Can the comp time be used hour-for-hour whenever you want? So there is a pot of money for fed lawyers to get discretionary bonuses? Is this true for other fed employees?

I guess if you don't like a law firm environment and don't want to go in-house or can't, fed work pays decently well compared to other gov't work (state or local).

Yes, in general fed employees get bonuses for good performance, but it's not like what you get in a law firm. It's like $1k-$5k max, except maybe for the special pay agencies.

Yup, my bonus was about 2k last year, $4k this year.

And in my previous agency, litigators got hour for hour comp time. Not sure if that’s the norm for other agencies

What is comp time? I don't think my agency has that.

Comp time is leave u can use for working over 40 hrs. For example, when briefs are due or when prepping for a hearing, many attorneys work a lot more until the due date or hearing date. The addl hours worked can be used as leave. So often, a lot of attys come in late after a late night or take the day off after a hearing.

U don’t take it with u when u leave the agency. It has to be used while ur at that agency.

Other non law roles have comp time too. At USTR where they travel a lot, travel or work time during off hours can be comped as well. Although I think the culture is that most ppl don’t use it.

How does being a Fed litigator compare to being a litigator at a law firm? Sure, there are no billable requirements, but are you just as busy? What is the case load like? Comp time sounds good in theory, if you actually have time to use it. For me, there would be another deadline looming around the corner which I wouldn't be able to blow off, despite working "overtime" the week before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

Can the comp time be used hour-for-hour whenever you want? So there is a pot of money for fed lawyers to get discretionary bonuses? Is this true for other fed employees?

I guess if you don't like a law firm environment and don't want to go in-house or can't, fed work pays decently well compared to other gov't work (state or local).

Yes, in general fed employees get bonuses for good performance, but it's not like what you get in a law firm. It's like $1k-$5k max, except maybe for the special pay agencies.

Yup, my bonus was about 2k last year, $4k this year.

And in my previous agency, litigators got hour for hour comp time. Not sure if that’s the norm for other agencies

What is comp time? I don't think my agency has that.

Comp time is leave u can use for working over 40 hrs. For example, when briefs are due or when prepping for a hearing, many attorneys work a lot more until the due date or hearing date. The addl hours worked can be used as leave. So often, a lot of attys come in late after a late night or take the day off after a hearing.

U don’t take it with u when u leave the agency. It has to be used while ur at that agency.

Other non law roles have comp time too. At USTR where they travel a lot, travel or work time during off hours can be comped as well. Although I think the culture is that most ppl don’t use it.

How does being a Fed litigator compare to being a litigator at a law firm? Sure, there are no billable requirements, but are you just as busy? What is the case load like? Comp time sounds good in theory, if you actually have time to use it. For me, there would be another deadline looming around the corner which I wouldn't be able to blow off, despite working "overtime" the week before.

It depends on the agency and that’s def a question to ask if u ever interview. It even depends within agencies such as DOJ dep on practice of law, and for those who have litigators in diff offices around the country.

I have never met a federal litigator coming from a billable environment they has ever thought their federal litigating dog was the same or worse then their law firm gig.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

Can the comp time be used hour-for-hour whenever you want? So there is a pot of money for fed lawyers to get discretionary bonuses? Is this true for other fed employees?

I guess if you don't like a law firm environment and don't want to go in-house or can't, fed work pays decently well compared to other gov't work (state or local).

Yes, in general fed employees get bonuses for good performance, but it's not like what you get in a law firm. It's like $1k-$5k max, except maybe for the special pay agencies.

Yup, my bonus was about 2k last year, $4k this year.

And in my previous agency, litigators got hour for hour comp time. Not sure if that’s the norm for other agencies

What is comp time? I don't think my agency has that.

Comp time is leave u can use for working over 40 hrs. For example, when briefs are due or when prepping for a hearing, many attorneys work a lot more until the due date or hearing date. The addl hours worked can be used as leave. So often, a lot of attys come in late after a late night or take the day off after a hearing.

U don’t take it with u when u leave the agency. It has to be used while ur at that agency.

Other non law roles have comp time too. At USTR where they travel a lot, travel or work time during off hours can be comped as well. Although I think the culture is that most ppl don’t use it.

How does being a Fed litigator compare to being a litigator at a law firm? Sure, there are no billable requirements, but are you just as busy? What is the case load like? Comp time sounds good in theory, if you actually have time to use it. For me, there would be another deadline looming around the corner which I wouldn't be able to blow off, despite working "overtime" the week before.

It depends on the agency and that’s def a question to ask if u ever interview. It even depends within agencies such as DOJ dep on practice of law, and for those who have litigators in diff offices around the country.

I have never met a federal litigator coming from a billable environment they has ever thought their federal litigating dog was the same or worse then their law firm gig.

Gig not dog. 😆

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

Can the comp time be used hour-for-hour whenever you want? So there is a pot of money for fed lawyers to get discretionary bonuses? Is this true for other fed employees?

I guess if you don't like a law firm environment and don't want to go in-house or can't, fed work pays decently well compared to other gov't work (state or local).

Yes, in general fed employees get bonuses for good performance, but it's not like what you get in a law firm. It's like $1k-$5k max, except maybe for the special pay agencies.

Yup, my bonus was about 2k last year, $4k this year.

And in my previous agency, litigators got hour for hour comp time. Not sure if that’s the norm for other agencies

What is comp time? I don't think my agency has that.

Comp time is leave u can use for working over 40 hrs. For example, when briefs are due or when prepping for a hearing, many attorneys work a lot more until the due date or hearing date. The addl hours worked can be used as leave. So often, a lot of attys come in late after a late night or take the day off after a hearing.

U don’t take it with u when u leave the agency. It has to be used while ur at that agency.

Other non law roles have comp time too. At USTR where they travel a lot, travel or work time during off hours can be comped as well. Although I think the culture is that most ppl don’t use it.

Most Federal agencies have it, but it needs approval from your supervisor. If you’re on a project that they know will require overtime in excess of credit hours, you can request it in advance and then claim, as needed. I earn travel comp when I go somewhere for work. You can also ask for it as religious comp, which does not expire and is used for religious observance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

Can the comp time be used hour-for-hour whenever you want? So there is a pot of money for fed lawyers to get discretionary bonuses? Is this true for other fed employees?

I guess if you don't like a law firm environment and don't want to go in-house or can't, fed work pays decently well compared to other gov't work (state or local).

Yes, in general fed employees get bonuses for good performance, but it's not like what you get in a law firm. It's like $1k-$5k max, except maybe for the special pay agencies.

Yup, my bonus was about 2k last year, $4k this year.

And in my previous agency, litigators got hour for hour comp time. Not sure if that’s the norm for other agencies

What is comp time? I don't think my agency has that.

Comp time is leave u can use for working over 40 hrs. For example, when briefs are due or when prepping for a hearing, many attorneys work a lot more until the due date or hearing date. The addl hours worked can be used as leave. So often, a lot of attys come in late after a late night or take the day off after a hearing.

U don’t take it with u when u leave the agency. It has to be used while ur at that agency.

Other non law roles have comp time too. At USTR where they travel a lot, travel or work time during off hours can be comped as well. Although I think the culture is that most ppl don’t use it.

How does being a Fed litigator compare to being a litigator at a law firm? Sure, there are no billable requirements, but are you just as busy? What is the case load like? Comp time sounds good in theory, if you actually have time to use it. For me, there would be another deadline looming around the corner which I wouldn't be able to blow off, despite working "overtime" the week before.

It depends on the agency and that’s def a question to ask if u ever interview. It even depends within agencies such as DOJ dep on practice of law, and for those who have litigators in diff offices around the country.

I have never met a federal litigator coming from a billable environment they has ever thought their federal litigating dog was the same or worse then their law firm gig.

Very talented puppy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Caseloads are tracked and high percentage of efficiency is required.”

Lol. What happens to an employee if this efficiency requirement isn’t met? A nasty gram? A mean look?

At my agency people can and are let go, especially during the 2 year probationary period. In the interim you can be put on a PIP and have telework privileges taken away.

As a fed, you’re not likely to get fired due to economy-related lay offs or technology replacing you. And you will get some hand holding to improve your performance. But firings do happen. They take a while because of all the documentation required, which means people often try to move on before getting fired though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Caseloads are tracked and high percentage of efficiency is required.”

Lol. What happens to an employee if this efficiency requirement isn’t met? A nasty gram? A mean look?

USPTO will PIP walk you out right out the door if you don't meet production and quality quotas. They have entire departments dedicated to this. That agency has a high attrition rate because of the quotas.