Discovering your place in the legal landscape can feel like a labyrinth. A few years out of law school, most young lawyers tend to flock to law firms, private practice, and in-house positions. But working for the government is a path deserving of equal attention. It may not sound as glitzy as wearing power suits while closing a deal or winning a highly publicized case, but a career in public service offers something that money can’t buy—impact.
From matters dealing with the general public to businesses and even fraudsters, you will be exposed to issues troubling the masses to matters concerning a select few. Government work directly influences peoples’ actions and the consequences of such actions. As a public servant, you have a role in shaping the legal landscape in ways that affect society. And this is not something that just any lawyer can claim.
We are lawyers from diverse fields with different journeys, but one thing we have in common is how we value our time in the government. As we talk about our time in the government, we hope it can help you find your way out of that labyrinth.
Anietie: Government law—particularly government in-house practice—is an incredible launch pad for new attorneys. The reason why I was drawn to government law is because it’s one of the few areas of law that intersects with everyday life: government attorneys are providing counsel to school district superintendents; government attorneys are negotiating capital project contracts for our airport systems; government attorneys are drafting ordinances to improve public health and safety and address building and zoning regulations.
The work of government attorneys, particularly attorneys who support municipal and state entities, is inextricably interwoven into the fabric of the everyman—your neighbor, the mailman, the grocery store cashier. Knowing that my work would address the everyday person's needs is what attracted me most to my previous job as compliance staff counsel at the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, also known as Houston METRO.
Gail: Lawyers from various practice areas often work with all three branches of the government, from the courts to regulatory agencies. After all, we cannot advocate for our clients if there is no other party to negotiate with, work with, or argue against. As a corporate lawyer in the Philippines, I handled a broad range of matters—assisting a food and beverage company, working on a real estate acquisition, and providing legal guidance for securities offerings. I witnessed various regulatory agencies’ work, from the Food and Drug Administration to the Securities and Exchange Commission, visiting their offices, working with their staff, and getting to know their environment. Over time, I began to wonder: why not focus on securities? And so a year into my corporate law career, I transferred to the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission as a securities counsel.
Adaptability was one of the most valuable skills I fostered in my government role. Collaborating with diverse groups of individuals taught me to navigate different personalities and work styles. Being able to adapt also allowed me to learn from senior lawyers and experts in my field. It helped me be a more efficient professional, effective writer, and compelling communicator.
A: As staff counsel, I was primarily responsible for transactional projects: I drafted terms and conditions for a litany of contracts, memoranda of understanding, and various other legal documents. I also had the opportunity to be heavily involved in several of the METRO procurement projects, such as reviewing requests for proposals and requests for qualifications for the acquisition of materials and professional services to support authority projects.
In addition to these duties, I processed open records requests, drafted board resolutions to support corporate governance, and developed authority-wide training on matters such as records retention and ADA compliance. My experience wasn’t limited to providing legal counsel; I was fully integrated into the business's operations as a trusted partner.
G: While my work dealt with a specific field, it was far from being narrow and boring. The work entailed a wide range of tasks, from writing pleadings and examining submissions to drafting rules and regulations. I was under a specific division within our department, but being a lawyer means you will be pulled into different projects, even those outside your division's scope.
My typical day in the office consisted of reviewing securities applications, drafting letters and memoranda, and attending meetings with various stakeholders. Priorities can change midway through a project, so you must be ready to switch gears whenever warranted. This allowed me to understand my work style and what I can tweak to ensure that anything thrown my way gets handled with care and grace.
A: Law students and young attorneys often ask me how I obtained my in-house position as corporate counsel for Mattress Firm, Inc. I'm met with puzzled looks when I share with them that I was a transit attorney before transitioning into corporate law. That’s understandable, though—the pipeline from government transportation to corporate retail is quite unconventional. The reason I could make the transition between sectors was because of the incredible arsenal of transferable and parallel skills I acquired while working as a government attorney—this made me a marketable candidate for other opportunities.
G: A few years in the government helped me grow as a professional and public servant. Governments strive to be at the forefront of change. If anything changes in the field, government agencies must understand and learn about these changes to cultivate the change and implement safeguards when necessary. I had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with stakeholders and other local and international agencies. I strengthened my grasp of my field, and I developed a good work ethic along the process. Most especially, the mentorship and relationships I cultivated while in the government guided me to do my LLM in the United States.
A: As a government in-house attorney, you’ll have the opportunity to practice law in a unique dual role: the first is that of a junior attorney who will be a reliable advisor in municipal legal issues; the second is as a corporate counsel who will work with numerous internal stakeholders representing the business interests of the government entity, whether it be a water authority, utility district, or public university. Your experience won’t be just about learning statutory codes and case law (though that’s paramount!); it’s about applying it to the business needs of the government entity you work for. This experience will provide you with an arsenal of valuable skills, career advancement, marketability to other government or corporate in-house opportunities, and perhaps most importantly, the privilege of serving the needs of your community as a public servant.
G: For young lawyers considering public service, the first step before jumping ship is to reflect on the public issues you’re passionate about. Like other roles, you have to believe in your work for it to be rewarding. Second, be active in the community of your chosen field. Join conferences and webinars, reach out to speakers and experts in the field, and read up on the latest news. As you cultivate your knowledge, interest, and passion in your field, you are honing yourself into a good public servant candidate.
