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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It's a bad move.  I'm a DOJ attorney, and constantly evaluating my private sector options.  If WFH is reduced, I'll go with the money, understanding that I am being paid more and going in at least as often.[/quote]

Private sector is demanding more and more days in office. Many top firms now want 3-4 days in the office a week. There are firms offering full-time virtual or more flexible hybrid schedules, but increasingly they are offering them to a segregated workforce. So partners and partner-track associates are in office more, but staff attorneys might be virtual. But there's a significant loss in pay associated with that.

Firms are increasingly worried about the impact on by culture and productivity of widespread WFH. Sure, it works in some legal specialties and for some people. But I am hearing more and more partners talking about issues with associates not even coming close to their billable targets, or just a general loss of camaraderie at the firm due to the combination of WFH and a very active lateral market.

All of which is to say, I think you are idealizing private practice because you are mad about having to go into the office. And the feds actually know that private industry is moving more and more back to the office, that's part of why this push is happening.[/quote]

Do you know how much “top firms” pay their attorneys vs. the fed gov? A first year with no experience right out law school makes substantially more than I do as a capped 15-10, where I’ve sat for over ten years with no hope of any substantial raise. Ever. Unless they fix the cap. If I have to commute in anyway, it’s not going to be for a 15-10. My whole calculus changes.[/quote]

Yes I am aware, and those attorneys work way more than you do. If you really think you are going to switch to private sector and get that massive pay bump but somehow magically get more flexibility and more, or even the same amount, of WFH, you are mistaken.

Switch to private sector for the money if you want. But there is a reason Big Law attorneys make eye-popping sums of money. And coming in as a lateral from DOJ will mean even higher expectations for you. Some associates come into Big Law and fart around for a few years collecting ridiculous salaries they don't earn before flaming out and heading elsewhere (some to places like the DOJ). But that's not going to fly for a mid-career lateral. You will be expected to come in and earn right away.

You also need to understand the law firm market right now. Huge pressure to grow both revenues and partner profits, tons of consolidation in the industry making even midsize firms that used to be more relaxed environments push profitability hard. There's also a very busy lateral market so you'll be competing against a lot of attorneys from other law firms, too. DOJ experience is a plus but it's not that uncommon and unless you are coming in with good client prospects (harder to do from DOJ), you may overestimate your value on that market.[/quote]

NP. Are you always so condescending while simultaneously ignorant? A DOJ attorney like the PP knows all of this (and some of what you wrote is wrong). Worried about the job competition, maybe?

The DOJ PP might even be able to negotiate for extra days at home. That would make you mad, wouldn’t it?[/quote]

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