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Antiwork

Uncompensated full time job with the federal government

I’m looking for work as an attorney and was scandalized to discover that the US Attorney’s Office hires “uncompensated” special assistant AUSAs. They require a law degree and a year of experience, and have a $0 salary and “limited” benefits. It looks like this practice gained popularity during the recession: after 2008 there were several unusually difficult years for new lawyers trying to break into the profession, and the federal government exploited this to the greatest extent they could by offering fully unpaid jobs. A 2011 article on the practice. Also interesting – a cohort of assistant US attorneys urged AG Holder to stop the practice in 2013 and pointed out that it was illegal; the office blew them off and the practice continues. Just another example of destructive anti worker practices pervading every industry.


I’m looking for work as an attorney and was scandalized to discover that the US Attorney’s Office hires “uncompensated” special assistant AUSAs. They require a law degree and a year of experience, and have a $0 salary and “limited” benefits. It looks like this practice gained popularity during the recession: after 2008 there were several unusually difficult years for new lawyers trying to break into the profession, and the federal government exploited this to the greatest extent they could by offering fully unpaid jobs. A 2011 article on the practice. Also interesting – a cohort of assistant US attorneys urged AG Holder to stop the practice in 2013 and pointed out that it was illegal; the office blew them off and the practice continues. Just another example of destructive anti worker practices pervading every industry.

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