Any non-litigating DOJ attornies here?

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry for yet another lawyer thread, but I don't know where else to ask.

I've been a prosecutor in a local U.S. Attorney's Office for the last 5 years. I absolutely love my job, but now that I have a child, the trial schedule is absolutely killing me. I would like to stay in criminal law, but I need something with a more predictable schedule. Are there DOJ components that are known for being more family-friendly? I definitely can't travel. I don't mind working hard or taking work home with me, but I need some more regularity in terms of my schedule. I would appreciate any suggestions. TIA!

[Anonymous]

OP again. Attorneys, not attornies. How embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

I doubt you'll find the kind of schedule you're really looking for at DOJ, but try the SEC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I doubt you'll find the kind of schedule you're really looking for at DOJ, but try the SEC.

How important is prior securities experience? I used to do some SEC enforcement work back when I was an associate years ago, but haven't since I've been in the USAO.

[Anonymous]

Antitrust Division-- some of the offices do not litigate much (just investigations and consent decrees).

[Anonymous]

You could look at enforcement divisions of agencies, there are certainly enough of them in DC. Your criminal experience would translate well into administrative litigation. Not as exciting but a lot more family friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Antitrust Division-- some of the offices do not litigate much (just investigations and consent decrees).

I second this. Hiring freeze right now though, I believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Antitrust Division-- some of the offices do not litigate much (just investigations and consent decrees).

I second this. Hiring freeze right now though, I believe.

I don't think the hiring freeze applies to candidates who are already employed by DOJ, which OP is as an AUSA. It's actually a really good time to be looking for another job with the agency because there's no outside competition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Antitrust Division-- some of the offices do not litigate much (just investigations and consent decrees).

I second this. Hiring freeze right now though, I believe.

I don't think the hiring freeze applies to candidates who are already employed by DOJ, which OP is as an AUSA. It's actually a really good time to be looking for another job with the agency because there's no outside competition.

While it seems like it should work this way, I'm not sure this is correct (or at least not always) - my understanding is that main justice and the US Attorney's operate out of different pots within the big justice pot, and that the hiring freeze does apply in this situation. But I am operating off limited knowledge, so take that with a large grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

PP may be right. I've seen a lot of DOJ jobs lately open only to AUSAs, so they may be different pots of money. OP, EOUSA might be a good option. A lot of former AUSAs are in OIA, too.

[Anonymous]

OP,

Have you considered just opening your own firm? You would have to switch sides, but you set your own hours in large part. You have court, but it within business hours. And you decide what your caseload is. There are more and more moms on their own in my little corner of the world.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered just opening your own firm? You would have to switch sides, but you set your own hours in large part. You have court, but it within business hours. And you decide what your caseload is. There are more and more moms on their own in my little corner of the world.

Not OP, but can you tell me a bit more about this? Did you switch from prosecution to defense? What kind of cases do you handle? I'm considering this as I plot my return to the working world after 3.5 years SAHM.