IF so, then WTF would you leave just to make $75k a year?

If not, then it won't matter b/c your firm is gonna No Breakfast your nigga ass in 2 years anyways.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26249843)

my lifestyle is AWESOME. i have complete control over my caseload. i pick the cases I want, decline the ones that suck. i get to work with both state and federal law enforcement. i get to prosecute "run of the mill" federal cases as well as big time cases that end up in the paper. no billables. i get to come and go pretty much as i please (within reason, of course). and perhaps most importantly, i feel like what i do actually makes a difference and provides a valuable service to society.

not to mention, people (laypersons and other lawyers alike) seem to respect what i do.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26249951)

i do think i'll end up in a great place professionally. i've tried a lot of federal cases (relatively speaking, of course... fed cases don't usually go to trial that often because of the HUGE risk) and am pretty respected by the fed judges in my courthouse. also, given that i spent about 5 years as a state prosecutor, i'm guessing the state + federal prosecutor experience will serve me well if i decide to do something else with my career.

and no problem.

seriously, man it's a good gig. there's a reason there's relatively little turnover in u.s. attorney's offices. and btw, i'm in a less than prestigious district. if you're in a "major" city or a prestigious district, i imagine it would be even better.

EDIT: i was never a firm guy since the whole reason i wanted to be a lawyer was to try cases. i think being a prosecutor has given me a certain set of skills--how to try cases in front of a jury, prove a case, introduce evidence, etc.--that i would not otherwise have if i went the firm route. i (maybe naively) believe that said skill set can translate into other professional opportunities that may materialize as my career progresses.

and did i mention, it's a fun job? i NEVER dread going to work. unless i was out too late the night before.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26249990)

HLS pretends that its LRAP is good, but I don't see how I can function as a normal adult (with the ability to buy a car, moderately priced engagement ring, flights home for Christmas and Thanksgiving, etc.) without putting in a year or two at a firm first. (I am clerking now and feel like I'm barely making ends meet.)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250042)

EDIT: Yale's LRAP is good. Without I'd be sturggling, but not insolvent.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250079)

Yes, the low COL area certainly helps a lot. Home for me is CA, so I don't know that I could do the same.

If I've never worked for a prosecutor's office (and indeed have done tons of criminal defense work), would my application be auto-dinged? I like criminal work a lot, but I'm not a "true believer" on one side or the other - I just had lots of defense work available to me while in school and chose to spend my summers making money.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250158)

LRAP gives me about 15-17K a year. yes, it's a great program.

CA is obviously a different beast.

and no i don't think so. so long as you have the other intangibles they look for ("is this someone i wouldn't mind working with), i think you'd be ok. not an auto-ding.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250186)

and i know more than a few defense attorneys who seem to be doing alright. they may not be making millions, but they seem to be making a decent lifestyle. keep in mind my present salary is only 97K. i'm guessing i could make at least 40-50% more if i went private.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250150)

and yeah are you talking about DC? i like that dude a lot. he's pretty chill to deal with. well, once you let him know you're not a pushover. one time (our first case together) he cussed at me on the phone and i cussed right back at him. we were cool ever since then.

yep only 97K. obama's america bro.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250204)

btw, in higher COL areas AUSA salaries are adjusted accordingly. they also adjust it based on your present salary, as much as they can. but i doubt any of them would be able to macth 150K for a rookie AUSA.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250246)

the other office had an opening not too long ago too.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250290)

believe it or not i'm somewhat of a native. went to junior high and HS here. so when i was done with law school, i knew i wanted to come "home."

when i was still at the DA's office i applied for SDCA and got an interview, but not an offer. kept on at the DA's office and then applied here and after a couple of tries I got in.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250490)

My impression is that USAO hiring in major cities is a lot like clerkship hiring in competitive circuits in that it's an insider's game. I'm not sure if that should make us feel better or worse about getting a spot.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250568)

i don't think he's gone to jail yet. i think he pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250701)

IMAGINE a world where you don't dread friday afternoon emails. IMAGINE a world where you don't get emails without subject lines that read, "where do we stand on the Exxon matter?" IMAGINE a world where you feel like an alpha because you get to try cases instead of putting together binders with key documents.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2663039&forum_id=2#26250057)