In an ongoing effort to provide the widest scope of employment for our members, IALA continually attends employment open houses held by both private sector and governmental agencies. Below you will find meeting notes and comments as well as the web link and hiring information.

Want to work at the U.S. Attorney's office in LA?

1. They are hiring!! 10-15 people.
2. Rolling admissions- (no application deadlines)
3. Very eager to hire.
4. Currently looking for ethnic diversity.
5. Application= resume, cover letter, writing sample, (and law school transcript if you have not been out of law school long).
6. Take people from law firms and government. There is no "ideal" candidate, but looking for people from backgrounds in which they have truly excelled. Want SUPERIOR writing skills.
7. The work involves A LOT of writing. (70%-75%)
8. Big positive is that you work on "high profile"- headline cases...work with FBI agents. Deal with other federal agencies.
9. If you work for the U.S. Attorney's Office, you CAN NOT be political outside of your job. No affiliations, no campaigning, no petition signing.
10. Government work (especially law enforcement) allows some student loan forgiveness.
11. After you apply, you will hear from them VERY quickly if they DON'T want you. If you don't hear from them, then you are in the running.
12. Hiring decisions take MONTHS.
13. Competition is very tough.
14. The second in line to the U.S Attorney said, "If you want to come here to get away from the long law firm hours, think again.".
15. There is also a civil section as well as the criminal section.
16. There are several criminal divisions: white collar crime, violent crimes, immigration crimes, etc. AND you CAN NOT choose any particular criminal division- they place you according to their needs.

Attorneys seeking appointment as AUSAs should provide a cover letter with a resume, brief writing sample, and law school transcript. Please be sure to indicate preferred Division(s) and all jurisdictions in which admitted to practice law. AUSA applications are accepted throughout the year and should be directed to George Cardona, Chief Assistant United States Attorney, 1200 United States Courthouse, 312 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Interviews and hiring are conducted on a rolling basis as positions become available.

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac/employment/lawyers.html