Investigate Employment Types

The United States federal government employs attorneys in each of its three branches as well as in many, if not all, of its agencies. For example, you will find attorneys on Capitol Hill, at the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Reserve System, Department of Treasury, White House, Department of Labor, National Relations Board, Internal Revenue Service, United States Attorneys Offices, CIA, FBI, as well as in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) program and other civilian attorney positions within the various military branches. State governments similarly have attorneys employed in the three branches of their government offices and many, if not all of their agencies.

Government attorneys gain valuable experience because they are required to have immediate and independent responsibility from the first day on the job, often dealing with cutting-edge legal issues. They find their work meaningful, with robust opportunities to mentor and be mentored. Government attorneys practice in nearly every substantive area of law and perform every type of legal work, including litigation, advisory, and regulatory or compliance functions.

There is no one path to work in government, just as working for a government entity can be a first step in many careers. Some government attorneys are very content with the type and quality of the work they do and remain in a government position for their entire careers. Other transition from private law firms to government or from government to private law firms or in-house positions. Some begin with a state government position and then transition to a federal government position or vice versa.