In response to my survey of starting salaries for entry level positions at district attorney’s offices around Texas, one of my readers wrote in asking whether it was worth going through three years of law school to become a prosecutor. I’m posting my answer here so that others can add their thoughts and comments on the subject.
First off, congratulations on getting into law school. You are in for the ride of your life!
To answer your question on whether it’s worth becoming a prosecutor, my answer is that it depends on what you are looking for.
Why become a prosecutor?
1. Experience - As a prosecutor, you will gain valuable experience from day one, that you Big Law colleagues will not get for a number of years. While they are stuck doing doc reviews, you will be trying cases. Regardless of whether you decide to remain a prosecutor or not, having a few years of trial experience under your belt will be a great asset.
2. Money - Sure, I just got done saying you’ll only make a fraction of what your big-firm classmates will be making, but the money will work itself out. There is a loan forgiveness program in place that will forgive your outstanding loan in ten years if you are doing public service work. Fortunately, public service work is defined liberally and does include prosecuting. Some prosecutors become defense attorneys later in their careers. With great contacts and extensive trial experience, they attract wealthy clientele. I know a number of Big Law attorneys who started off as prosecutors.
3. Work-Life Balance - This is a real hot topic among lawyers right now. Big firm pay means big firm billables. 2,100 hours in billables sound like a lot? Just wait till you discover how many hours young associates work (www.abanet.org/careercounsel/billable/toolkit/bhcomplete.pdf) in order to bill one hour. While a prosecutor puts in long hours, the hours are considerably fewer than that of most associates at large law firms. They also get national holidays off, great benefits, and for most, sick time and vacation time that accrues each year, so you can save up a couple of years worth (or a career’s worth) and then take one fantastically-long, paid-vacation!
4. Intrinsic Value – There is a great sense of satisfaction in being a representative of the people, and walking into court and saying that you are “present and ready on behalf of the State, your honor.” Prosecutors are an integral part of the community and the legal system. There are few jobs that can compare to the satisfaction that being a prosecutor can bring.
Your friends who claim that becoming a prosecutor isn’t worth it may have their hearts in the right place, but they are overlooking the fact that prosecutors aren’t in it for the money. It’s a calling. It’s also important to remember that while some of your peers will graduate making upwards of $120,000, many more won’t.
I would suggest spending at least one half of a summer working for a district attorney’s office to see if you like it. Your school will also be able to tell you if they have externships with state or federal prosecutors, or if they have a criminal prosecution clinic. I would also suggest taking part in mock trial or moot court competitions at your school and trying out for the state or national teams.
Good luck!
Update: For more information on loan forgiveness, check out my post on the CCRAA.
