CFPB attorney

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:20 here - it is hard to get a job in CFPB Enforcement.

Why is that? Is it low turnover and many people interested? Tough selection process? I very much want to get into CFPB enforcement group (and have good credentials i think) but there are never any job job postings.

I am CFPB attorney, though not in Enforcement. In my experience, it's much faster to get a job here than in other federal agencies because CFPB is still "staffing up" and thus the process goes more quickly (don't have to wait for someone to leave to have position open). I came at a particularly busy time, so the whole process from first interview to start date was about 2 months, which I think is very fast for federal lawyer job. It is difficult to get a job here in the sense that people are very well-credentialed (I came from big law and most people have big law resumes, e.g., Ivies or top of their class from very good law schools) but easier to get a job here in the sense that there is less bureaucracy than typical agency and less focus on you having some very particular narrow experience.

From your experience, does it help to know someone already there? Or is it like any other fed job where you go in a pile and a robot has your fate in its hands.

[Anonymous]

There are openings for CFPB Enforcement on USAJobs. Can anyone post an update how things are there now? I have heard it is not particularly family-friendly (long hours, travel) -- is that true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are openings for CFPB Enforcement on USAJobs. Can anyone post an update how things are there now? I have heard it is not particularly family-friendly (long hours, travel) -- is that true?

I would also like to know. I've definitely heard that some of the non-enforcement sections have very long hours, but not sure about enforcement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are openings for CFPB Enforcement on USAJobs. Can anyone post an update how things are there now? I have heard it is not particularly family-friendly (long hours, travel) -- is that true?

I would also like to know. I've definitely heard that some of the non-enforcement sections have very long hours, but not sure about enforcement.

Me, too. I noticed these vacancies, too, and would appreciate any insights into quality of work, work/life balance, office culture, and any tips on navigating the hiring process (helpful to have connections at the agency? still tough as nuts to get a job in enforcement? any easier to get a job as an attorney advisor? what sorts of experience is most helpful for someone wanting to work there?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are openings for CFPB Enforcement on USAJobs. Can anyone post an update how things are there now? I have heard it is not particularly family-friendly (long hours, travel) -- is that true?

I would also like to know. I've definitely heard that some of the non-enforcement sections have very long hours, but not sure about enforcement.

Me, too. I noticed these vacancies, too, and would appreciate any insights into quality of work, work/life balance, office culture, and any tips on navigating the hiring process (helpful to have connections at the agency? still tough as nuts to get a job in enforcement? any easier to get a job as an attorney advisor? what sorts of experience is most helpful for someone wanting to work there?)

I have heard that connections are very helpful. I think they are also going to be looking for either an excellent litigation record as well as a real commitment to consumer issues. I think it's less like other agencies where you can waltz in from BigLaw and a good degree. Everyone I know who got hired in recent memory had experience in another consumer agency, doing consumer protection work privately, or extensive pro bono in the area. That's not to say that they won't hire sharp people without that background (especially now when the hiring pool might look different) but CFPB is an agency that believes it its mission. If you think it's "mean" to sue the big banks then it may not be the place for you. As for the quality of the work, as somebody who keeps a close eye on this stuff, I can say that the CFPB enforcement actions so far have been aggressive and groundbreaking. So if that's what you mean by quality, it's there. I doubt they are going to be sticking any enforcement attorney on crap work; no time for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are openings for CFPB Enforcement on USAJobs. Can anyone post an update how things are there now? I have heard it is not particularly family-friendly (long hours, travel) -- is that true?

I would also like to know. I've definitely heard that some of the non-enforcement sections have very long hours, but not sure about enforcement.

Me, too. I noticed these vacancies, too, and would appreciate any insights into quality of work, work/life balance, office culture, and any tips on navigating the hiring process (helpful to have connections at the agency? still tough as nuts to get a job in enforcement? any easier to get a job as an attorney advisor? what sorts of experience is most helpful for someone wanting to work there?)

I have heard that connections are very helpful. I think they are also going to be looking for either an excellent litigation record as well as a real commitment to consumer issues. I think it's less like other agencies where you can waltz in from BigLaw and a good degree. Everyone I know who got hired in recent memory had experience in another consumer agency, doing consumer protection work privately, or extensive pro bono in the area. That's not to say that they won't hire sharp people without that background (especially now when the hiring pool might look different) but CFPB is an agency that believes it its mission. If you think it's "mean" to sue the big banks then it may not be the place for you. As for the quality of the work, as somebody who keeps a close eye on this stuff, I can say that the CFPB enforcement actions so far have been aggressive and groundbreaking. So if that's what you mean by quality, it's there. I doubt they are going to be sticking any enforcement attorney on crap work; no time for that.

Groundbreaking? Have they even litigated anything yet or is it all consented-to settlements?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are openings for CFPB Enforcement on USAJobs. Can anyone post an update how things are there now? I have heard it is not particularly family-friendly (long hours, travel) -- is that true?

I would also like to know. I've definitely heard that some of the non-enforcement sections have very long hours, but not sure about enforcement.

Me, too. I noticed these vacancies, too, and would appreciate any insights into quality of work, work/life balance, office culture, and any tips on navigating the hiring process (helpful to have connections at the agency? still tough as nuts to get a job in enforcement? any easier to get a job as an attorney advisor? what sorts of experience is most helpful for someone wanting to work there?)

I have heard that connections are very helpful. I think they are also going to be looking for either an excellent litigation record as well as a real commitment to consumer issues. I think it's less like other agencies where you can waltz in from BigLaw and a good degree. Everyone I know who got hired in recent memory had experience in another consumer agency, doing consumer protection work privately, or extensive pro bono in the area. That's not to say that they won't hire sharp people without that background (especially now when the hiring pool might look different) but CFPB is an agency that believes it its mission. If you think it's "mean" to sue the big banks then it may not be the place for you. As for the quality of the work, as somebody who keeps a close eye on this stuff, I can say that the CFPB enforcement actions so far have been aggressive and groundbreaking. So if that's what you mean by quality, it's there. I doubt they are going to be sticking any enforcement attorney on crap work; no time for that.

Groundbreaking? Have they even litigated anything yet or is it all consented-to settlements?

If you don't understand why they are groundbreaking and exciting, probably not the place for you.

[Anonymous]

Is CFPB's litigation handled by Justice like most other federal agencies, or does CFPB handle its own litigation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is CFPB's litigation handled by Justice like most other federal agencies, or does CFPB handle its own litigation?

They file their own cases to enforce their consumer protection laws. If they get sued DOJ defends them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are openings for CFPB Enforcement on USAJobs. Can anyone post an update how things are there now? I have heard it is not particularly family-friendly (long hours, travel) -- is that true?

I would also like to know. I've definitely heard that some of the non-enforcement sections have very long hours, but not sure about enforcement.

Me, too. I noticed these vacancies, too, and would appreciate any insights into quality of work, work/life balance, office culture, and any tips on navigating the hiring process (helpful to have connections at the agency? still tough as nuts to get a job in enforcement? any easier to get a job as an attorney advisor? what sorts of experience is most helpful for someone wanting to work there?)

I have heard that connections are very helpful. I think they are also going to be looking for either an excellent litigation record as well as a real commitment to consumer issues. I think it's less like other agencies where you can waltz in from BigLaw and a good degree. Everyone I know who got hired in recent memory had experience in another consumer agency, doing consumer protection work privately, or extensive pro bono in the area. That's not to say that they won't hire sharp people without that background (especially now when the hiring pool might look different) but CFPB is an agency that believes it its mission. If you think it's "mean" to sue the big banks then it may not be the place for you. As for the quality of the work, as somebody who keeps a close eye on this stuff, I can say that the CFPB enforcement actions so far have been aggressive and groundbreaking. So if that's what you mean by quality, it's there. I doubt they are going to be sticking any enforcement attorney on crap work; no time for that.

Groundbreaking? Have they even litigated anything yet or is it all consented-to settlements?

If you don't understand why they are groundbreaking and exciting, probably not the place for you.

I agree. I actually had an offer from the CfPB when they were just starting out and turned it down. My question was a serious one though, has the agency litigated any cases yet?

[Anonymous]

Unless you have a degree from a top 5 law school, it's extremely difficult to get hired there without a very good connection. The stories about Bureau discrimination are true, so if you're a minority, you'll have to work extra-hard to stand out and get the better cases. Having said that, there does seem to be some movement to improve things and office morale in general . The work itself can be rewarding, but be prepared to deal with middle managers trying to justify their existence by nitpicking everything. Expect your cases to move slowly with most of the managers. Most of the actual enforcement attorneys (non-managerial) are very bright, passionate people who really do care about the mission. Working with them is the most rewarding part of the work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you have a degree from a top 5 law school, it's extremely difficult to get hired there without a very good connection. The stories about Bureau discrimination are true, so if you're a minority, you'll have to work extra-hard to stand out and get the better cases. Having said that, there does seem to be some movement to improve things and office morale in general . The work itself can be rewarding, but be prepared to deal with middle managers trying to justify their existence by nitpicking everything. Expect your cases to move slowly with most of the managers. Most of the actual enforcement attorneys (non-managerial) are very bright, passionate people who really do care about the mission. Working with them is the most rewarding part of the work.

Ironic. Discrimination at the cfpb.

[Anonymous]

CFPB ENF attorney here. Great job, some internal politics, no more discrimination than anywhere else in the government. And yes, we are litigating cases - look at the website. I myself am litigating a case in federal court on behalf of the Bureau. I have really interesting and satisfying work. Only downside is the office space - line attorneys have to share. That sucks. Otherwise, I love my smart colleagues and my great cases. It is a hard job to get but really worth it. I feel pretty lucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CFPB ENF attorney here. Great job, some internal politics, no more discrimination than anywhere else in the government. And yes, we are litigating cases - look at the website. I myself am litigating a case in federal court on behalf of the Bureau. I have really interesting and satisfying work. Only downside is the office space - line attorneys have to share. That sucks. Otherwise, I love my smart colleagues and my great cases. It is a hard job to get but really worth it. I feel pretty lucky.

What kind of academic and professional pedigrees and specialty areas do the enforcement attorneys typically come from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is CFPB's litigation handled by Justice like most other federal agencies, or does CFPB handle its own litigation?

They file their own cases to enforce their consumer protection laws. If they get sued DOJ defends them.

Not true. CFPB handles their own defensive litigation.