Want to be a prosecutor: what do I do?
missles (Jul 28 - 11:16 am)
Lower T1, top 10%, law review, decent crim internships, good clinic. Rising 2L.
Probably will be no-offered this Fall, but I want to prosecute anyhow...in one of NYC's boroughs. Don't care which one.
1. Chances?
2. Advice for next summer? I want to line something up that will get me into a DA's office after grad
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Lower T1, top 10%, law review, decent crim internships, good clinic. Rising 2L.
Probably will be no-offered this Fall, but I want to prosecute anyhow...in one of NYC's boroughs. Don't care which one.
1. Chances?
2. Advice for next summer? I want to line something up that will get me into a DA's office after grad
Reply
TiredofStrugglin (Jul 28 - 11:28 am)
do a prosecution clinic during the year and then work for a DA's office in the summer. jeez... this is kind of a no brainer. you couldn't figure that out on your own?
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do a prosecution clinic during the year and then work for a DA's office in the summer. jeez... this is kind of a no brainer. you couldn't figure that out on your own?
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missles (Jul 28 - 11:32 am)
I was looking for a little more detail than "get an internship with a DA".....
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I was looking for a little more detail than "get an internship with a DA".....
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Frida2 (Jul 28 - 11:37 am)
If you want to be a DA your chances are good if you are willing to work anywhere in the country. That is the key. After you have a few years of experience in fly over county or Alaska or something then you look for a DA position in the region you actually want to work. I know people who have successfully gotten in on this path (even when graduating from a low ranked school into a recession). Obviously do internship with DA and PD.
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If you want to be a DA your chances are good if you are willing to work anywhere in the country. That is the key. After you have a few years of experience in fly over county or Alaska or something then you look for a DA position in the region you actually want to work. I know people who have successfully gotten in on this path (even when graduating from a low ranked school into a recession). Obviously do internship with DA and PD.
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missles (Jul 28 - 11:42 am)
I can do most places in Tristate. Outside of that, family concerns.
If I do get an offer, will a SA position hurt my chances after grad at the ADA (will they view me as "not committed"/ trying to cash in)??????
Ideally, I would cash in on SA, peace out, and go ADA after grad....pipe dream?
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I can do most places in Tristate. Outside of that, family concerns.
If I do get an offer, will a SA position hurt my chances after grad at the ADA (will they view me as "not committed"/ trying to cash in)??????
Ideally, I would cash in on SA, peace out, and go ADA after grad....pipe dream?
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TiredofStrugglin (Jul 28 - 3:06 pm)
i'm speculating obviously, but i think they might question your commitment. it'll beg the question, "so why didn't you work for a prosecutor's office during the summer?"
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i'm speculating obviously, but i think they might question your commitment. it'll beg the question, "so why didn't you work for a prosecutor's office during the summer?"
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countryfried (Jul 28 - 10:06 pm)
I agree that it helps if you are willing to move. However, I think your chances are better staying in state. i.e. they will favor an ADA with 3 years experience from other parts of New York as opposed to an ADA with 3 years experience from flyover country. I also don't think the SA gig hurts you.
FWIW I'm a former ADA but not in the New York area. I imagine the NYC area jobs are extremely competitive.
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I agree that it helps if you are willing to move. However, I think your chances are better staying in state. i.e. they will favor an ADA with 3 years experience from other parts of New York as opposed to an ADA with 3 years experience from flyover country. I also don't think the SA gig hurts you.
FWIW I'm a former ADA but not in the New York area. I imagine the NYC area jobs are extremely competitive.
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brooklynhollaback (Jul 28 - 1:26 pm)
I interned at the Queens County DA and interviewed for permanent ADA positions with Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Westchester, Nassau, and the New York City Law Dept (not DA but similar in that its public sector). Was dinged immediately with no interview by Manhattan and Richmond County (Staten Island). Suffolk invited me in for an interview but I declined due to the distance of the commute.
I made it to the 2nd round for Bronx, Westchester, and NYC Law Dept. Got dinged after 1st round for Queens, Brooklyn, and Nassau. Ironically, Queens was the most demeaning interview I've ever sat through in my life.
I went to a T2 and my grades were horrible (bottom half at the time I interviewed, although I got them up by the time I graduated). Yet I still got all these interviews because I really showed a commitment to criminal law and public service.
All of my previous clinics, internships, and externships were public service law related. I also made it a point on my resume to highlight my interest in criminal law by listing criminal law related courses I took, stating I was president of the criminal law society (for whatever that's worth), emphasizing my moot court accomplishments like making semi-finals, and expanding on my Queens DA internship on my cover letter. These DAs offices are not as elitist as law firms in terms of school rank, grades, and law review. They want to see people who are committed to this area of practice and are here to stay permanently. Moot court and accomplishments in trial practice helps too.
Keep in mind however that these DAs offices in the NYC Tri-State Area get literally THOUSANDS of resumes for just 10-20 spots per year. And during this recession, most have hiring freezes.
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I interned at the Queens County DA and interviewed for permanent ADA positions with Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Westchester, Nassau, and the New York City Law Dept (not DA but similar in that its public sector). Was dinged immediately with no interview by Manhattan and Richmond County (Staten Island). Suffolk invited me in for an interview but I declined due to the distance of the commute.
I made it to the 2nd round for Bronx, Westchester, and NYC Law Dept. Got dinged after 1st round for Queens, Brooklyn, and Nassau. Ironically, Queens was the most demeaning interview I've ever sat through in my life.
I went to a T2 and my grades were horrible (bottom half at the time I interviewed, although I got them up by the time I graduated). Yet I still got all these interviews because I really showed a commitment to criminal law and public service.
All of my previous clinics, internships, and externships were public service law related. I also made it a point on my resume to highlight my interest in criminal law by listing criminal law related courses I took, stating I was president of the criminal law society (for whatever that's worth), emphasizing my moot court accomplishments like making semi-finals, and expanding on my Queens DA internship on my cover letter. These DAs offices are not as elitist as law firms in terms of school rank, grades, and law review. They want to see people who are committed to this area of practice and are here to stay permanently. Moot court and accomplishments in trial practice helps too.
Keep in mind however that these DAs offices in the NYC Tri-State Area get literally THOUSANDS of resumes for just 10-20 spots per year. And during this recession, most have hiring freezes.
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TiredofStrugglin (Jul 28 - 3:02 pm)
where did you end up?
and i can't believe Queens DA shit on you after you interned with their office. i had a similar experience once, myself. i was astounded.
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where did you end up?
and i can't believe Queens DA shit on you after you interned with their office. i had a similar experience once, myself. i was astounded.
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brooklynhollaback (Jul 28 - 4:20 pm)
I ended up at none of those. I thought I had Westchester nailed since one of the ADAs who interviewed me said she was rooting for me and highly recommending me to the higher-ups. Didn't get it though. I think they only hired 3 or 4 new ADAs that year.
I'm working in a quasi-law position right now but will be going into small firm law this fall.
The Queens DA thing was just a bad experience. I had 4 attorneys sitting around me in a semi-circle. One in front of me, two to my right, and one behind me. They dimmed the lighting in the room. There was no overhead lighting; just the dim desk lamp was turned on. It felt like an interrogation. They asked me some hypothetical, the substance of which I don't remember. I answered it to the best of my ability and they laughed and proceeded to demean me. I've talked to others regarding this and they say they fuck with you to see if you will crack under pressure.
The people I worked for during my internship there were awesome though. The people who I interviewed with were from a different bureau.
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I ended up at none of those. I thought I had Westchester nailed since one of the ADAs who interviewed me said she was rooting for me and highly recommending me to the higher-ups. Didn't get it though. I think they only hired 3 or 4 new ADAs that year.
I'm working in a quasi-law position right now but will be going into small firm law this fall.
The Queens DA thing was just a bad experience. I had 4 attorneys sitting around me in a semi-circle. One in front of me, two to my right, and one behind me. They dimmed the lighting in the room. There was no overhead lighting; just the dim desk lamp was turned on. It felt like an interrogation. They asked me some hypothetical, the substance of which I don't remember. I answered it to the best of my ability and they laughed and proceeded to demean me. I've talked to others regarding this and they say they fuck with you to see if you will crack under pressure.
The people I worked for during my internship there were awesome though. The people who I interviewed with were from a different bureau.
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TiredofStrugglin (Jul 29 - 3:21 pm)
sorry to hear that. sucks when you bust your ass for people, try to pay your dues, try to "network" as they say... and you still don't have an in.
i received similar treatment on an interview once... so i can relate.
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sorry to hear that. sucks when you bust your ass for people, try to pay your dues, try to "network" as they say... and you still don't have an in.
i received similar treatment on an interview once... so i can relate.
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missles (Jul 28 - 10:02 pm)
Westchester/Rockland/ CT DA's offices....do they hire many ADA's? Are they big offices and hard to get into to?
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Westchester/Rockland/ CT DA's offices....do they hire many ADA's? Are they big offices and hard to get into to?
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brooklynhollaback (Jul 28 - 10:21 pm)
Westchester is a fairly sizable office. They have various branch offices across the county. Not sure about Rockland and CT. All are hard to get into.
New ADAs in Westchester get assigned to work in the northern part of the county (read: more rural, basically Upstate New York). Starting salary for Westchester is higher than in boroughs though.
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Westchester is a fairly sizable office. They have various branch offices across the county. Not sure about Rockland and CT. All are hard to get into.
New ADAs in Westchester get assigned to work in the northern part of the county (read: more rural, basically Upstate New York). Starting salary for Westchester is higher than in boroughs though.
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hungryjoe28 (Jul 28 - 10:08 pm)
Your chance at NY County (Manhattan) is low - get lots of Harvard, Yale and Columbia applicants. Obviously much better chance with outer boroughs. Are you willing to do Richmond County? How about New Jersey (Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Union, Middlesex, Morris, etc.)?
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Your chance at NY County (Manhattan) is low - get lots of Harvard, Yale and Columbia applicants. Obviously much better chance with outer boroughs. Are you willing to do Richmond County? How about New Jersey (Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Union, Middlesex, Morris, etc.)?
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brooklynhollaback (Jul 28 - 10:23 pm)
I would say Richmond County is the hardest to get into in New York City because of its small size. The office only employs 30 or so ADAs.
Essex (Newark) and Hudson (Jersey City) rarely hire new ADAs.
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I would say Richmond County is the hardest to get into in New York City because of its small size. The office only employs 30 or so ADAs.
Essex (Newark) and Hudson (Jersey City) rarely hire new ADAs.
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hungryjoe28 (Jul 28 - 10:27 pm)
I knew someone from a TTT who put in a few years as an ADA in Richmond. But then again, he had strong ties to that borough which might ccount for something. I was always under the impression Manhattan was the toughest given the relative prestige and that they handle a lot of white collar and securities fraud matters. Didn't John F Kennedy Jr. work for Morgenthau after passing the bar on his third try, before leaving to become a full time playboy?
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I knew someone from a TTT who put in a few years as an ADA in Richmond. But then again, he had strong ties to that borough which might ccount for something. I was always under the impression Manhattan was the toughest given the relative prestige and that they handle a lot of white collar and securities fraud matters. Didn't John F Kennedy Jr. work for Morgenthau after passing the bar on his third try, before leaving to become a full time playboy?
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brooklynhollaback (Jul 28 - 11:05 pm)
Yeah, Manhattan is definitely the hardest in terms of their strict standards for candidates they hire. But I'd say Richmond is harder simply because they don't hire all that much, even in a good economy.
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Yeah, Manhattan is definitely the hardest in terms of their strict standards for candidates they hire. But I'd say Richmond is harder simply because they don't hire all that much, even in a good economy.
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donkeyfunkydude (Jul 28 - 10:59 pm)
Outside of Manhattan, the DA offices look for a commitment to prosecution beyond rlly all else (grades, school, etc). Manhattan DA under Morgenthau cared a lot about school and grades as well. I don't know if Vance is any different here. You honestly probably need to be willing to move. At this point it is unclear if the NY DA offices will even be hiring classes for next year, and the year after (what would be your class) likely will be even worse because the state budget just seems to be getter worse every year.
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Outside of Manhattan, the DA offices look for a commitment to prosecution beyond rlly all else (grades, school, etc). Manhattan DA under Morgenthau cared a lot about school and grades as well. I don't know if Vance is any different here. You honestly probably need to be willing to move. At this point it is unclear if the NY DA offices will even be hiring classes for next year, and the year after (what would be your class) likely will be even worse because the state budget just seems to be getter worse every year.
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TiredofStrugglin (Jul 29 - 3:18 pm)
Cyrus Junior is from a big politicking, whiteshoe firm, bar association-running, family. i'd be willing to bet Vance's office will be just as focused on school and grades as Morgenthau's, if not more so.
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Cyrus Junior is from a big politicking, whiteshoe firm, bar association-running, family. i'd be willing to bet Vance's office will be just as focused on school and grades as Morgenthau's, if not more so.
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missles (Jul 29 - 3:21 pm)
not worried about grades too much. did not want to transfer. T50 should be okay tho, eh?
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not worried about grades too much. did not want to transfer. T50 should be okay tho, eh?
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butt_hair (Jul 29 - 11:10 am)
From my experience, connections get you into the DA's office. If you have none there's one long-shot networking method worth trying that worked for a friend of mine: Cold call your local city counselor or state rep and explain you're one of his/her constituents interested in the DA's office as a career. Low level politicians will take constituent calls. Ask if they can hook you up with a contact or something.
Bonus points for donating money to the politician's campaign fund before you make that call. Good luck.
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From my experience, connections get you into the DA's office. If you have none there's one long-shot networking method worth trying that worked for a friend of mine: Cold call your local city counselor or state rep and explain you're one of his/her constituents interested in the DA's office as a career. Low level politicians will take constituent calls. Ask if they can hook you up with a contact or something.
Bonus points for donating money to the politician's campaign fund before you make that call. Good luck.
Reply
brooklynhollaback (Jul 29 - 12:01 pm)
Getting an ADA position is a long shot in the NYC area. Competition is just too fierce. Upstate offices might be easier due to less applicants but they also don't hire nearly as many ADAs due to the small size of those offices and low turnover.
Apply to the larger upstate counties like Albany County, Onondaga County (Syracuse), Monroe County (Rochester), Erie County (Buffalo), all boroughs in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, NJ and CT counties. ITE, you gotta cast a wide net,
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Post a message in this threadGetting an ADA position is a long shot in the NYC area. Competition is just too fierce. Upstate offices might be easier due to less applicants but they also don't hire nearly as many ADAs due to the small size of those offices and low turnover.
Apply to the larger upstate counties like Albany County, Onondaga County (Syracuse), Monroe County (Rochester), Erie County (Buffalo), all boroughs in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, NJ and CT counties. ITE, you gotta cast a wide net,
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