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The Career Path to Becoming a Government Attorney

Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!

published August 18, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

If you are fresh out of law school and are looking for a challenging career, why not consider a government attorney job? A government attorney job typically comes with good benefits, good pay, and can be a great stepping stone to something even better. Many people in the political arena, for example, started out as lawyers for the government. If the prospect of working in an interesting field with the benefit of gaining the expertise that may land you a spot in a major firm sounds good to you, look no further than the government attorney jobs that may be available in your area. Having experience at the government level is a big deal to large law firms, and if they recruit you from a government attorney job, you can almost name your own salary.
 
The Career Path to Becoming a Government Attorney

What Type of Government Attorney Jobs Are There?

The different aspects of government law have led to a wide variety of jobs being available for the law student looking for his first job or the partially seasoned attorney looking for a change. It really depends on what level of government you choose. There are jobs at the state level, including attorney general and public defender positions, while federal-level jobs are quite interesting as they involve a lot of investigating for the Department of Justice or other federal agencies.

Meanwhile, if the idea of drafting legislation for the government appeals to you, or if helping to take care of the legal rights of disadvantaged people would be something you would be interested in, then a career as a government attorney could be just right for you.

Choosing the Right Career

How many people do you know that thoroughly enjoy their jobs? My guess is that it's not many. When you go to school for as long as it takes to become an attorney, the type of attorney you choose to be should be considered above all else. After all, this is not a position that you can just walk into after graduating from high school. It takes a lot of hard work to get to the point where you can finally hang the sign that proclaims that you are a bona fide attorney.

Government jobs are hard to come by, but the first thing you should know about them is that the upper level positions are harder to get than those at entry level. However, if you are really serious about this type of position, you should just get together the best resume that you can and apply. Make sure you put in the reason why you would like to have this type of job over the various other attorney positions available.


 
Interested in these kinds of jobs? Click here to find Government jobs.

What Are the Responsibilities of Government Attorneys?

Among the responsibilities of government attorney jobs are taking care of court proceedings for state attorney generals, acting as public defenders, and working with district attorneys and the courts. When you work for the federal government as an attorney, you may be assigned to work for the Department of Justice, among other agencies.

United States
Government lawyer jobs may include the practice of civil rights law as it relates to equal housing and employment rights. The government always needs advice of a legal nature when it comes to civil rights and government contracts. Compliance with the law is not an option when it comes to discrimination.

Another specialty of government lawyer jobs involves representing municipal governments. This may include cases relating to zoning laws, real estate laws, and tax laws. The government lawyer will sometimes have to represent a city or town in courts at the federal level.

What Are the Pay Rates for Government Lawyers?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, lawyers working for the government can make averages of:

* $119,000 per year at the federal level
* $87,000 per year at the local level
* $78,000 per year at the state level

A lawyer who works for the government typically does very well. Do you suppose this is one of the reasons why these are such sought-after positions? Of course, some lawyers prefer to work government jobs for the simple reason that they feel they are making more of a difference in such jobs than in private practice.

Click here to find government attorney jobs in Florida.


 
Interested in these kinds of jobs? Click here to find Government jobs.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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