And I made a promise when I took my first job, that I would offer as much help as possible to any student or intern who sought it. It is a dark road that no one understands. There was not much assistance when I tried to figure out what jobs to apply for and ultimately accept (I had two offers!).
As an aid to those in law school or those making the switch to criminal law, I thought I'd provide a little guidance on how to become an ADA:
1) Seek out the areas you want to live in and then apply to all the DA's offices around there. Do not apply to just one in the hopes they hire you. New York City DA's offices hire 40-50 new attorneys a year out of thousands of applications. Smaller counties may not even hire one a year out of thousands of applications.
2) Study some criminal law. I've conducted interviews and read many resumes. The ones that stand out show some interest in criminal law. It is a tough legal economy causing increased applications to every DA's office. Applicants who normally would seek out law firms and never studied any criminal law are now applying. No one begrudges a law student applying to many places to land a job, but you should show at least some interest in the position.
3) Mock trial, trial team, and trial technique classes are important. While these are structured (read - fictional and rehearsed) settings it demonstrates you like to be in a courtroom.
4) Intern at a DA's office. We remember the interns who completed projects on time, asked for feedback, and played on the softball team.
5) How important are grades? Thankfully, not critically important as long as you distinguish yourself in some other way. I was hired in a New York City office as an average student (mostly Bs with some As thrown in). I didn't win any awards for my scholarship. My resume and experience (mock trial, internship, criminal law job during law school) got me in the door. I showed them in the interview how well I relate to people. It's what the job's about after all.
6) Do you need to know someone? I didn't, but it can't hurt. It doesn't always help and it's usually overdone. I just read a cover letter today that dropped ten names, declared the applicant's political party, and violated every piece of the next rule.
7) Resume and cover letter - Use clear, concise, grammatically correct, and active sentences. Does this need to be said?
8) Research the office's structure, programs, and statistics before the interview so you can use the information during the interview.
9) Send handwritten thank you notes. Yes, things like this still matter.
10) Don't be afraid to follow-up. Just not too soon. Give it a week after your interview at least. Remember in small counties there are at least twenty people interviewed for every position. In major cities, that number swells to a thousand. Give them time to conduct the interviews, but not too much time so they forget you.
There are a thousand more items to discuss, but this is the nuts and bolts. Write a comment with a specific question andI I'll do my best to answer it. Or just send an email.
Check back later this week to see my journey to becoming an ADA and the qualities that make a successful ADA.
Hmm. I graduated top half of my class from a Tier 1 law school. I won two trial advocacy competitions, competed in moot court, and obtained top grades in Evidence and Criminal Trial Practice. I am admitted to 3 bars. I have 6 years of public and private criminal defense experience, and I have first chaired numerous criminal bench and jury trials not to mention a few appeals. I have hit up every prosecution office in the state incl city prosecutors, repeatedly over the past few years, and I have never been able to land an interview.
ReplyDeleteI think they are looking for something more than what I can offer, but I just don't know what it is.
You should email me if you are interested in New York State. Those credentials sound good to me.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI attend law school in Chicago and have been working at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office for the past year. I have always planned on working there, but it looks like there is a good chance my husband may be transferred to New York for his job (and I would go with him!). The deadline has passed for applying to the DA's office. What do you recommend for other possible gov jobs, and for applying with the DA's office in the future? Thanks!
Email me at prosecutorsdiscretion@gmail.com with where you would be moving and what year you are in.
DeleteI am scheduled for a panel interview (2nd round) with the Bronx D.A. Any tips? Great blog by the way. I read at least 12 entries before my first interview. It was very helpful. I understand that their will be hypos, and the most ethical answer always prevails.
ReplyDeleteSure - 3 person panel who are usually the most senior ADAs. They want to see how well you think on your feet. Learn as much as you can about the Bronx (or anywhere you interview), crime rates, how an Assistant moves through the ranks, what bureau you want to go into. Remember, everyone wants to hire someone who will be in the job for the long term and that they would be willing to work with. Show how you are always willing to help colleagues while zealously prosecuting crimes.
Deleteis zealousness really what you want to demonstrate? it's not exactly the ethical requirement. (not a rhetorical question).
DeleteYou want to show that you are diligent, passionate, and devoted to prosecution. Which means both ways - when there is a substantiated allegation, do your absolute best for the case and victim, and when there is an unfounded charge or an innocent defendant, be able to make difficult decisions and have difficult conversations with victims about why we cannot prosecute a case and also correct the wrongs.
DeleteI go to Elmira College in upstate New York although I am from a town in PA. I am a history major as the school does not offer a pre-law major,, but have taking a few criminal justice classes and other law classes. I want to work in the District Attorney's office New York City one day or some where very close. I am looking to intern at a DA's office next summer or next spring. Would it be bad idea to try to intern at the DA's office in Elmira or at home when I do not want to work in near either one? It would be difficult for me to intern in NYC.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Do an internship to make sure you like it, get experience, and make you marketable in the field you want to go into. Do it in Elmira or wherever you can.
DeleteI lived up in Elmira growing up! Beautiful piece of the countryside. I would definitely check out an internship in Elmira first, to make sure you like the taste of it, but then move up to NYC as soon as you're sure of the field and have a little experience. That Elmira/Horseheads region is great, but I doubt it's gonna make as much of a splash on a resume as an office in NYC, or even Rochester or Albany.
Deletehttp://www.bbo.on.ca
I am a recent high school graduate (graduated one semester early) and am looking into possibly pursuing a career as an ADA or a DA (girl can hope, right?). However, I am currently at a community college that does not offer pre-law or very many classes in that regard. What do you suggest I do?
ReplyDeleteI tell all aspiring attorneys that pre-law is the worst major before law school. Take classes in finance, business, economics, science, or something else to get knowledge about other topics before law school. If you want to sample pre-law classes, take just a few.
DeleteNow, I understand there are no pre-law classes available at your place. If you want to sample some, take some U.S. history, government classes, and maybe even a class involving a long critiqued research paper.
I just stumbled across your blog and might I add I love it. I'm a freshman philosophy major at a 4 year university in texas. I've always had a interest in criminal law and my question is. Will being a philosophy major direct me in the right path or should I switch to another major such as finance or economics?
ReplyDeletePhilosophy is something good to have knowledge of because it will help you understand the law and its origins. But a degree in it does not give you practical skills. You can get into law school with a philosophy degree, but if you decide not to go or do not get in, you really don't have much to fall back on. If you love it, I'm loath to tell you to switch, but can you minor in it? Dual major?
DeleteSometimes I believe that you can have too much experience. I am an attorney with 16 years of practice (all but 3 in the public sector). I a former ADA who left the office 8 years ago to pursue other legal opportunities in the government sector. I have decided to go back into prosecution, but I feel that my experience and years of practice are working against me. "...why hire me when you can hire two individuals coming out of a judicial clerkship at the same price?"
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, I am not giving up. I just had an interview this week with a different DA's office than the one that I formerly worked in. The interview was with two supervisors in the trial section & they let me know that this is just the 1st stage, but they'll report their observations & comments to the 1st Assistant. The interview was just as you described above, the questions asked were how to see how well I thought on my feet. I sent the handwritten thank you notes. I really want to seal the deal. Any advice please? I am open to all suggestions...
DA offices are constrained by budgets. It's why they would rather hire a recent grad than a 10 year experienced attorney. My advice is to keep reaching out to personal contacts you have. You have to show them why you are worth the money. How does your experience better the office?
DeleteI am a (rising) 2l, and I was primarily targeting private practice (big law) in order to pay off loans. I received a scholarship increase that will now allow me to pursue public service and still pay off my loans. I am extremely interested in an ADA position or a criminal law prosecuting position. I am currently working as an RA for a well known criminal law professor. ADA and prosecuting positions are extremely selective now, so I am afraid if I just target those positions, then I risk being unemployed. However, I fear if I take a job with a firm at OCI, then I wont have a chance at an ADA or prosecuting position as my loyalty to public service will be questioned. Do you have any suggestions of how I should proceed?
ReplyDeleteThis will be a long reply and probably better over email. Short answer is that we understand the need for you to get a job. We routinely hire people from civil firms. Even when at the firm, if you still want to be an ADA, do volunteer work and pro bono work. That will show your commitment. For more email me at prosecutorsdiscretion@gmail.com
DeleteI appreciate your commitment to giving advice to those searching for jobs; it is indeed a dark road. Like many others, I write to ask for advice.
ReplyDeleteI am a 2L, and I have landed an interview with a large DA's office for a summer internship. I feel I am prepared for a substantive hypothetical (I have taken Evidence and Criminal Procedure, and I just finished a stint as a Criminal Law TA--a great refresher). My concern lies in my lack of experience with moot court or trial team. I interned with a PD's office this past semester, and I may have an internship with a DA's office for the upcoming semester. As a 1L, I had clear reasons for not trying out for a team, but now I worry I may have hindered my chances at getting an internship or a job post-graduation. Do you have any advice on (a) how to handle inquiries about this particular lack of experience, and (b) how to make up for this for this lack as I move forward?
Thank you for any insight you may have.
Congratulations on the interview. That's usually the hardest step. Do not worry about not trying out for trial team or doing moot court. There is no magic formula they are looking for. The primary concern I look for when interviewing candidates is how they relate to people. Can you demonstrate your ability to connect with people in every walk of life? You obviously are very interested in criminal law and that will show. Remember, the job is not about you, it's about the people you'll be serving and you have to show the interviewer how much you understand that.
DeleteI was wondering how DA offices look at applicants coming in from another field. I have 5 years of working with a small private firm doing mostly bankruptcy, including about a year of general practice, including a handful of criminal defense. My salary is definitely on the low end though, so the DA offices could easily match it. (My employer is semi-notorious for hiring recent grads on the cheap.)
ReplyDeleteTo give an example--keep in mind that I do not live in New York, okay-- I make $55k even, and a nearby city is offering an entry level Ass't DA position with a hiring range of $55,713- $90,891. I'd love to apply for it, but I'd like to know how I would be viewed versus applicants out of law school. Unlike many of them, I have not had an internship with a DA or court clerkship, so no direct prosecution experience.
Would my unrelated experience even be much help? What would you be looking for in a cover letter/interview from such an applicant?
It depends on the office.The advantage you have over others is that you know what you want to do. Most DA offices hire people out of law school and then those people are trained and leave after much time and resources were poured into them.
ReplyDeleteYou just have to show them how your experience is an advantage. You have experience doing criminal law on the defense side, which is always a positive. You have already seen the adversaries to know what is going on with a defense attorney and client. You probably write and argue better than ADAs who never worked in the private sector. Explain how great your legal research and writing abilities are and how your private sector experience will help you build an intensive investigation. Think of the paralells to draw between the careers.
Hi im a highschool graduate from chicago with the hope of someday becoming a ADA. I know that i should choose a major to fall back on if i do not get into law school for any reason. The career i would prefer other than ada would be therapist or social worker, would me getting a 4 year degree in social work or psychology lower my chances of getting into law school or would i still have a good chance ?
ReplyDeleteYour undergrad major does not matter when applying for law school as long as you get good grades and do well on the LSAT, together with your activities. It is probably a good idea to join some legal clubs or mock trial groups too. A bacheler's in psych will not go far if you do not go to law school. You need an advanced degree to do anything with it. The same probably goes for social work too. Thanks for reading and the comment!
DeleteI graduated from MSU College of Law with an LL.M degree after earning an LL.B 12 years ago in a Foreign Country. I used to practice Criminal Law back home. I applied for several positions in all DA's offices in the Bronx, Rockland, Brooklyn and Manhattan for the past two years I never received the chance to be interviewed. Is it impossible for a Foreign Attorney who speak fluently 3 languages and became a US Citizen to be appointed as an ADA in New York State?
ReplyDeleteYes it is possible. The problem people probably see with you is how many years experience you have. They would have to train you like a new ADA, but wonder if they would have to pay you like one. Any possibility of trying to intern one day a week or more in a DA's office to get to know people there?
DeleteGreat blog! Thanks for answering all these questions. I am wondering if the prestige of the law school I matriculate in has any bearing on hiring decisions for ADAs. I understand that experience and interest in public service are givens but how much does law school prestige matter? Is it T14 or bust for an ADA job because of the glut of new law school grads? I am thinking about matriculating at CUNY Law in NYC, which is abysmally ranked, but affordable because I know that I am only interested in public service work. Would I be ruining my life if I pursued this route?
ReplyDeleteWhat I tell people is that if you can get in to a Top school, the loans will be worth it if you are looking for private sector jobs. If you can obtain grants and make it affordable then it makes sense to go even if you are looking at public service.
DeleteIf you cannot get in to a top tier law school, or you have to take out exorbinant debt to go to a private school, it does not make any sense to go there. Get a degree from a public school at affordable rates. Get as many internships as possible. Meet as many attorneys as possible. If you graduate at the top of your class, the school really doesn't matter. What matters is showing your desire and work ethic for whatever career you choose.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI graduated from law school in May of 2012. In my final year, I applied for ADA positions within the Bronx and Brooklyn offices. Although I was able to advance to final round interviews, I was not selected and eventually accepted an offer with a Manhattan law firm that specializes in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. But, I've always wanted to work as an ADA. So, I gave the application process another shot and applied to the Queens and Manhattan offices as well this year. This week, I received an email from the NY DA's office for an interview. I am excited about it but extremely nervous as well. I believe I have what they're looking for in regards to credentials (undergrad degree in criminal justice, mock trial, evidence, criminal procedure, and advance trial courses as well as a criminal defense clinic). However, I'm not sure of how to stand out. How do I prepare to land myself a position? How are the multiple round interviews conducted in NY county? How do I prepare for the hypotheticals? My passion for criminal law and wanting to be an ADA isn't enough. So, how do I get over the hurdle and not fall apart during the interviews?
From Manhattan DA website:
Delete1) First interview with one Hiring Board member
2) Panel interview with three Hiring Board members
3) Executive Panel interview with the Director of Legal Hiring, Administrative ADA Bonnie Sard, and two ADAs from the Executive Staff
4) Interview with District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.
Be prepared or legal hypos. Remember you are there to do the ethical thing. Turn over Brady material, be a good teammate with everyone, listen to your supervisors. We want people who work well with others and will work hard. Be prepared to give examples of your past to highlight your work.
Know the office. Talk to ADAs in the office. Know the path of a new ADA and all the bureaus. They will ask what you want to do. Have an answer, even if you want to get experience doing everything before deciding. Be polite and make sure you present logical, concise answers. They aren't looking to see if you are right so much as to see if you will think well on your feet.
Remember, you represent the people of Manhattan and Cy Vance so you should say you understand there is a different standard for ADAs and would represent the office well.
Hiya,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be a law student in the fall most likely at Suffolk university in Boston. I got wait-listed at Pace and probably won't hear back. I really want to work in NYC mainly for my interest in international law but I'm also really interested in working with the Manhattan DA's office for a few years. I was wondering, how hard is it coming from a boston school to apply to an ADA program in NY? I was also looking at their summer internship and noticed that they didn't limit it to just NY law students so I'm considering that as an option as well.
Big cities like NYC hire people from all over the country so being in Boston will matter very little. The internship is a great idea so you can see how you like it and hope they get to know you.
DeleteI am an attorney with 12 years of legal experience. Ten years in bankruptcy law. I always wanted to work as a prosecutor, and so I randomly applied, and was called in for an interview. I was offered a position to start as an intern and then eventually be hired as an Assistant Prosecuting attorney after that. The money is not an issue for me, although it will be strange to get paid pennies while in this internship, but do you think that this is dumb move on my part to do this internship after practicing all these years? I really want to be done with bankruptcy, and see this as a means to get to where I want to be. Thanks for any info you can share.
ReplyDeleteIs this really what you want to do? That's what you must decide. Will being a prosecutor be a fulfilling job so much so that it will be worth the pay cut?
DeleteIf so and money isn't the problem, then why wouldn't you do it? Even if you are not sure, you can always go back to work at a job you don't like, right? There is no dumb move if it is what you want to do. Don't worry about your friends or colleagues and their ideas of what is right. Worry about yours and your family's. If you will be happier, then do it.
Hello, thank you for the great blog!
ReplyDeleteI am currently a 2L. I am currently in Evidence, Crim Pro and professional responsibility in hope of getting certified for a summer with the DA's office. This past summer I was in at the SF DA's office. With that said, this semester I was planning on taking trial ad and continuing to gain valuable trial ad experience. However, I was told that if I sign up for App Ad instead I have a high chance of getting a spot in the Moot Court team for the Spring. How important is Moot Court for an ADA position? Do you recommend being part of the team over taking trial ad and hopefully clinic work?
Thank you
Either way you go will be beneficial. Moot court is more prestigious than an trial ad class so therefore is looked on better when in a resume. No matter what, it is about getting your foot in the door. You will learn everything you need to know about trial when you get there.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThank you for such an informative blog. I have been contemplating whether or not to apply for a position at the DA's office, or do you think it would be a waste of time since I have virtually no legal experience. I have been admitted to the NYS bar for just over a year now and i haven't had any luck with finding a position. My grades were not terrible, the lowest being a B. However, I think my problem is that I lack actual legal experience. The reason for this is because I had to work while attending law school. My current position is also not legally related, however, I have begun to intern with a local, reputable, criminal defense attorney twice a week. Anything to get my proverbial feet wet, since I do not have the luxury of doing full time unpaid work. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
It is not a waste of time if you think you want to try your hand at it. Don't stay out of the game because you think they might say no. What if someone says yes? DA offices routinely (and mostly) hire people without legal experience.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am a 2L at top 25 school with grades around the bottom third cutoff. I am in moot court and interned at a DAs office this past summer and have also secured a job with a big city DAs office for this upcoming summer. I've taken crim-centric courses, and did well in criminal law; however, I just received a B- in criminal procedure. Although, I did get a B+ in evidence. I'm worried that my B- in crim pro and bottom third grades overall will really hurt me in getting a job with an office. I do believe that I've shown my passion for being a prosecutor, but am not sure how offices will feel about my grades. Do you have any insight as to how negatively these aspect will impact my chances? Thanks, and great blog.
Make a great impression with this internship and your others and it won't matter in the least. Make sure they know who you are (in a good way). Go over and above. Draft a memo that everyone will use. Go out with people when they are going out.
DeleteA prosecutor needs to be able to see the forest, and not get lost in the woods. What this means is you can't get bogged down in every detail. there's not enough time. So the qualities of a prosecutor are someone who works very hard and can figure out what is important. You just have to show that you are a dedicated public servant and able to think on your feet.
This is a really wonderful resource. Thanks for doing it. Quick question: How do you think two years of federal district court clerkship experience plays when applying for a assistant district attorney job out of the clerkship? (No DA internship, though I took almost all the crim classes in a top-ranked law school--on a side note, I think law school rankings are generally ridiculous, though I understand it can sometimes matter). I am in an urban area in the South, so I understand it may vary a bit from your experience in Manhattan.
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic experience to obtain. Any prosecutor's office would love to see it and it would help you tremendously if you are thinking about federal prosecution.
DeleteI am a second year student at my University. I've explored many majors, and I've come to conclusion that I want to help people. I am an English Secondary Education major, but I don't know if I want to teach for the rest of my life. It's my safety net. Law school is becoming more and more interesting everyday. I know it sounds like a pipe dream, but I am a Law and Order SVU addict. Everyone tells me to not go into prosecution because of the danger, but it seems like a great career. My question is, will my major prepare me for law school and will my dream away from my safety net ruin me? I know nothing will be like the show, but criminal work interests me so much. And would volunteering at a police station be good for my career and be a good way to broaden my interest?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I would not call a career in criminal prosecution dangerous. Sure there are times during big trials I'd look over my shoulder, but in my experience defendants usually are mad at the witnesses first, the defense attorneys second, the judges third, and then the prosecutors. At the end of the day, most prosecutors are not even trying the high level violent felony crimes. That is really only a few people in each office.
DeleteI tell everyone to have a different major than pre-law prior to law school. Dreams change and life happens. It's best to have some other plans. Plus, you might find you like education and want to be an education lawyer and that background would serve you well.
I am in a 2 year JD program at a highly ranked school outside of the NY area. I will take the same number of credit hours as a traditional JD, just in a shorter period of time. My goals are to return to NYC after graduation, as I have strong ties to the city, and to work in prosecution. I have secured a NY area internship in a DA's office for this summer. The downside of my program is that it only allows for one summer internship. As a result I am considering doing a full-time semester externship in addition to my summer. I would hope to find an externship position in a different NY area DA office in order to diversify my experience. Do you think that this would be a good idea (i.e. make me more attractive to employers after graduation)? My school does not have a particularly strong criminal law program and I have already taken most of the relevant classes that I want to take, with 2 semesters remaining. I have personal reasons for wanting to spend as much time in New York as possible, but I also want to put my self in the best position possible for post-graduation employment. Any advice would be much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea if you want to be an ADA. The more time in a DA's office and the more varied experiences the better both for you to know what you like and for the office.
DeleteHi, there:
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the very informative blog. I graduated from law school in CA two years ago and after passing the CA bar, moved back to my home state of CO to pass the bar there. I was a member of a 2 year trial advocacy honors program while in law school, and received awards at every mock trial competition in which I competed (all of which were in criminal law). I'm currently practicing employment litigation at a national firm, and applying to DA offices across CO.
I have a couple of issues:
1) I did not clerk for the DA in law school, though I was coached and mentored by experienced prosecutors in my trial ad program. The only way to clerk at the LA DA's office was through an externship at my school. I figured, hey, law school is expensive enough; I'm not going to pay to work. Instead, and in order to pay bills, I worked at a private defense firm throughout school. I did a lot of criminal defense as well as landlord/tenant and civil rights. I'm worried that my criminal defense experience may actually hurt me, and my other experience may make me look unfocused. I think it's given me more context and made me a better litigator, but I'm worried that it looks like I'm not committed to a) prosecution, and b) public service. Also, is there a tactful way to point out that by making the move to the public sector, my salary is sure to be cut by close to $60,000, and I'm okay with that? I know that sounds strange, but I feel like it's at least indicative of my dedication to and interest in prosecution that I'm ready to give up my big firm life and all its perks.
2) The gist I've gotten from my research into the CO DA's offices is that they prefer to hire grads from the two CO law schools. I'm from Denver but did my undergrad in Boston and my law school in California. My family's here, and I plan on staying, but I'm lacking connections in the DA's offices. Is there a casual way for me to reach out (maybe over LinkedIn?) to ADAs here in Denver to pick their brains/build connections?
The bottom line is that I know that if I got my foot in the door, I'd be a huge asset, and they'd see that. But I need to get my foot in the door first. Any advice would be so appreciated. Thank you!
Have good answers for why you want to be a DA vs. a public defender. What is it about prosecution that appeals to you? How can you articulate that without denigrating the defense attorney's job? Do you want to protect society? Do you have a story in your past that led you to want to help people who are victimized?
DeleteAs for connecting to Colorado DA, do you know anyone there? High school classmate? Can you volunteer for free one day a week there to get to know people? Do you know any Colorado attorneys to facilitate a meeting?
Your varied experience will be a benefit. Any good office will see that. You have the desire to serve the public and that is very clear even from the limited amount of information I have. Be persistent, but respectful. The advantage you have is experience. You know how to handle people. Being a DA is not so much about the law, but relating to people and getting them to testify.
I hope this helps. Keep me posted on your progress.
I am a public defender with a large amount of trial and appellate experience (only thing missing: capital murder trials). In contrast, my wife is the daughter of a DEA agent and favors law enforcement (except when it's a real stinker...then she thinks the LE perp should be prosecuted and 1983ed). She has suggested I look into an AUSA position. What is the selling point on prosecution, and would a prosecutors' office even consider me, or would I be seen as a 'dyed in the wool' or a 'lifer' defense lawyer?
ReplyDeleteI think the question you have to ask yourself is whether you are "dyed in the wool." If you have trial experience and can write well, and have strong academic pedigree a USAO will consider you, depending on the needs of the office. it seems you probably have all three from your experience.
DeleteFor me, prosecution was a way to help many people. Let me explain that for specifics. Most of the cases I dealt with were serious, violent crimes, both state and federal. These were the guys (mostly) who made life miserable for good people who were just trying to live. If I could convict them of a crime, it would stop many more from being committed. There is only a small percentage of people committing most of the crimes.
Also, a prosecutor is the first guard against a wrongful conviction. If the police act illegally or if the evidence is not sufficient to prove a case at trial, I would not prosecute the defendant. Moving cases this way guarded against innocent people getting convicted.
First of all, this blog is so helpful, so thank you. Second, I am currently an intern at the Brooklyn DA, and I absolutely love it. In just a little over 6 weeks, I have gained so much insight into litigation, in general, and prosecution, in particular. I call and meet with victims, prepare cases for discovery, and research and write motions. I also research and help with trial prep as well as stand up on the record for calendar calls. In short, this is my dream job.
ReplyDeleteBy way of background, I am a rising 3L at a Tier 2 law school. I have clerked for a NY State Judge in Manhattan where I drafted a decision, which the judge used, and I am going to intern in the Manhattan DA this fall. I have a GPA of 3.144 (which went down a bit from my first year). I have participated in an intensive Trial Advocacy Program,, where I tried two cases as a first-seat. I also served as a legal writing TA for my former legal writing professor. Before law school I was a high school teacher for 3 years.
In short, what do you think about my prospects for landing an ADA job?
Thank you very much.
Excellent. You are clearly motivated and are demonstrating your motivation. You will have the experience ahead of other applicants at the office. The only thing holding you back on paper will be the GPA. This is not a bar to getting a job by any means, but that is the only negative on an otherwise stellar resume. I have no doubt your credentials will get you an interview and from there, it is all up to you and your personality.
DeleteHi, I'm a second year associate at a civil litigation firm. After taking criminal procedure in law school I was curious about DA opportunities but by then it was too late to extern and I live in a big city where DA jobs are highly competitive. I did moot court and trial advocacy in law school but my current job doesn't really offer trial experience.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering what you think might be the best way to see if the DA's office is a good fit, since I work full time. I can talk to people and read about it, but it's hard to know what it's really like just from that. I enjoyed preparing for (mock) trial and going to administrative hearings in trial clinic, but I am not sure about constantly being in trial. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Do you have colleagues that entered the DA office? The best way to find out about it is to network. Talk to people in it. See if you can shadow them for a morning or afternoon to see what a high volume case load is like in a major city. It's a great job, but the big city DA offices usually won't hire experienced attorneys unless they have criminal experience so now is the time to investigate while you are young in your career.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am currently a 3L. I have a final (third) round interview with one of the DA's offices in Long Island, NY in a few weeks. I interned there this past summer. I was wondering if you have any tips for the interview. In my first round, I was asked 2 hypos. And the second round (panel) was just like a normal interview. They discussed my resume and relevant courses I took. I am not sure what to expect in this last interview (I am meeting with the DA). My background: all public service. I worked in non-profits, public interest, Legal services office and this DA's office. Currently I am working the prosecutor's office near my law school.
Thanks!
They will want to know you this DA's office, where else you are applying, what bureau you could see yourself being in. They want to know you are committed to the job and also the county. They will also like to see how much you know about the office.
DeleteHi, I graduated from my law school this past year with honors. I have extensive experience working in International Criminal Law, and international human rights law. I studied criminal law, but also took many courses focused on gender-based violence, and human rights law. Presently, I'm working for an International criminal Tribunal in the Victims Support Section. I am very interested in working in the Manhattan District Attorney's office or Brooklyn or Bronx DA's office, but am having a difficult time getting in the door because people keep assuming I only want to work in human rights. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYou really need to express why you want to be a prosecutor. We see many resumes where it looks like the person wants to be a social worker and be a sounding board for victims only. Why do you want to pursue justice for the community, for the victims, and for the defendant?
Deletegreat post thanks
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog and I see that you still answer posts 4 years after this post was written, well done!
I am a 2L in a NYC public interest law school, I want to get into public interest especially prosecution. I did an undergrad internship at a local DA's office and I liked it. I am working now on cover letters, are there any important points to put in the cover letter for a summer internship?
I'm planning to apply to all DA offices in NYC.
Let them know of your interest in public interest (redundant I know) and why you want to be a prosecutor.
DeleteGood Day,
ReplyDeleteBlog has been phenomenal tool for preparing for interviews. I am a 3L and have a third round interview coming up with the Manhattan DA's Executive Panel for ADA position. Should I be preparing for more hypos or is this an interview to see if I would be a good fit for the office? There is little information online regarding the 3rd and 4th rounds. Thank you for your time and for being a great resource for law students.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I absolutely enjoy reading your blog, even though it's several years old. I would love some feedback from someone who has lived my dream. I am on my second year at a university and I'm majoring in Criminal Justice. (My passion since I was little) With that being said, will that hinder me with the eventual goal of the DA's office? Also, I am a parent to two boys; I'm starting the whole career thing a little late. I would love to hear your insight as a parent but also as a Criminal Prosecutor. I did read your recent blog about moving to the private sector.
Thank you again and here's to hoping you get the message.
-HR
Your undergrad will have very little effect on your career at all. Your grades in law school, organizations you are involved in during law school, and any internships will matter. Best of luck and keep me posted.
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