Should You Consider An Unpaid Position?

The job, which I am more inclined to call an internship, will consist of prosecuting accused criminals in both the nation's state and deferral courts. The posting seeks someone with ''outstanding academic records and superior oratory and writing skills.''

Federal and state officials claim that the experience this position offers has attracted numerous applicants throughout the nation. Scott Burns, executive director of the National District Attorneys' Association claims to not see a ''downside'' to job offers like the one previously mentioned. Burns said, ''With the economy... and the fact that many lawyers are out of work, this is an opportunity to get experience to prepare them for the next step.''


Did Burns forget about things like rent, food, and car payments? And what about the thousands upon thousands of debt lawyers accrue during law school. However, the law is on the side of the ''employers'' in this case. The United States' Faire Labor Standards Act gives citizens he right to volunteer for government positions even when they are given no promise or expectation of compensation.

U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein in Maryland posted the same type of ad, looking for an essentially free lawyer. ''Many of the applications are from newly unemployed associates, recent graduates and even a few who are currently employed,'' Rosenstein said. ''People who are applying see it as a stepping stone.''

It would seem that unless you were living with mom and dad, or had a large trust fund from your grand pappy, that taking on an unpaid position as a prosecutor might not be a good idea. But experience is very often among the most important keys to getting a good job and these days, many law students aren't being given the opportunity to get that experience during summer programs.

Summer Hiring for law students is down 44% this year, which could mean an increase in these pay-free positions in the future.

Though this might result in a resounding ''duh'' from readers, it's important to reiterate. Lawyers seeking employment need to keep their eyes on the Internet. A survey done in 2009 showed that legal job postings on the Internet were up almost 30%.

Perhaps the internship-style positions being offered are a necessary evil. According to Bonnie Miller, a New York-based recruiter, firms do not like to hire junior associates that ''lack experience.'' She also says that senior lawyers are ''too expensive'' for the firms during these rough economic times. Therefore, one might surmise that a year in one of these unpaid prosecutor positions would be just what a lot of young attorneys need to really get their careers in gear.