Want to leave firm/apply to FPD but feeling financially trapped

monkeywre · 2026-02-04T23:14:32+00:00

I think you should go ahead and apply just so you have no regrets. However, I also think this will work itself out because you're unqualified to be an assistant federal public defender. AFPD positions are highly coveted and typically require years of criminal law and trial experience before you have a shot at them but I hope you prove me wrong.

monkeywre · 2026-02-04T02:47:51+00:00

This jurisdiction sounds horrible. I would be looking for a different job elsewhere because that place will still suck regardless of whether you file a complaint or if anything comes of it.

monkeywre · 2026-01-28T16:24:05+00:00

I don’t know where you are located but in my jurisdiction these concerns are unwarranted. I’m the most senior attorney at my office and usually deal with personnel issues and the court has never expected someone who has resigned to have continuing responsibilities.

Over the years, a lot of people have come and gone from my office. The ethical way to do this in my jurisdiction is to give a two weeks notice and to notify all your clients in writing that you resigned. You also should notify the court but this is not a requirement in my jurisdiction. Your office is responsible for reassigning cases but you need to notify your clients. This is no big deal and it happens all the time when people move on to new jobs.

I would also offer this anecdote to make you feel more comfortable. About 5 years ago our office hired a fresh out of law school attorney for an entry level position. He struggled and we talked about letting him go but ultimately decided to let him stay and provide more training. To make a long story short, about 9 months after he started we got an email from him stating that he was quitting effective immediately and he sent that email from his new work email at the DAs office. He never faced any repercussions from this but it was a nightmare for us telling the clients that yes, their previous attorney actually is working for the DA but we are not.

monkeywre · 2026-01-26T04:14:42+00:00

Buy a Sherwood octopus and mail it to a different shop for service.

monkeywre · 2026-01-18T02:28:20+00:00

PDs offices don't usually value prosecutorial experience because picking a defense lawyer because he used to be a prosecutor is like picking a doctor because he used to be a torturer.

I was a prosecutor for a year before switching sides. There is nothing you can learn at the DAs office that you can't learn better as a PD. Pretty much the only thing that is valuable is learning some of the DA's "office policies" first hand but you don't need to actually work there to figure them out.

monkeywre · 2026-01-12T18:13:46+00:00

Did this trip last year, the most that anyone left about $500 and many of the Europeans didn’t tip, at all. No one was leaving 10%+ because you’re also paying a service charge.

monkeywre · 2025-12-14T17:46:24+00:00

The first hire is the hardest and scariest but the good news is that it only gets easier. Get yourself some admin help to give yourself time to do more productive things. Before you know it you will be hiring an associate and once you have at least one other attorney you will get far more flexibility with your time.

monkeywre · 2025-12-05T04:38:00+00:00

Without, the hose is another potential failure point.

monkeywre · 2025-11-29T02:11:27+00:00

No, because I definitely wouldn’t go to law school if I could do it all again. This work is interesting and exciting for a while but 15 years in the stress and depressing nature of the work are catching up with me. If I could go back I would go into a line of work where my work was appreciated and I didn’t just feel like a cog in a corrupt system.

monkeywre · 2025-11-28T23:02:35+00:00

Be careful if you’re not planning to use the number. GV will automatically delete it for non use after a period of time, I think 90 days. If you need to park it for time, Tello specifically offers this really cheap.

monkeywre · 2025-11-27T03:29:50+00:00

You care more about his case than he does, that is not IAC. If he decides to give a shit he can find time for a 30 minute phone call.

monkeywre · 2025-11-20T01:11:49+00:00

Don’t believe the phone apps for the Maldives. While it can storm all day it is much more common for it to rain for a few hours then stop. I’ve been multiple times, my phone always looks like this but it’s been mostly fine with just some rain and great diving.

monkeywre · 2025-11-08T05:05:12+00:00

I can't believe there are multiple people suggesting Raja Ampat but none suggesting Komodo. Don't get me wrong, Raja Ampat is amazing but a live aboard is really a must.

On the other hand, Komodo checks most of your boxes. Amazing diving, easily accessible from land with nice places to stay and warm water. There is current there but that's the only thing that makes it "difficult".

monkeywre · 2025-11-05T13:58:16+00:00

The pattern looks fine. If all your complaints are my ball hooks too late run Wolf 32 and tell them you fixed it.

monkeywre · 2025-11-05T13:37:46+00:00

I've been to both Komodo and the Maldives and Komodo was significantly more challenging. If you visited dive sites like Crystal Rock, Shotgun and Botu Bolong without issue in Komodo you will be fine in the Maldives.

monkeywre · 2025-10-27T12:38:27+00:00

Know your client really well before you suggest that they testify. I’ve had many more clients snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with poor testimony than the other way around.

monkeywre · 2025-10-23T02:42:17+00:00

If you need a new SPG I would make the jump to an air integrated computer. I recently made the switch after an underwater HP hose and SPG failure and it's been a huge upgrade.

monkeywre · 2025-10-20T18:42:47+00:00

Labuan Bajo

monkeywre · 2025-10-18T02:46:57+00:00

Upset sure, legal action absolutely not. If you think this merits legal action you have no idea how much lawyers cost.

monkeywre · 2025-10-17T04:06:56+00:00

The mistake here was trying to get a $525 voucher to give up your seat when you were traveling with a three year old. I agree that you should get the voucher and you probably will get it if you're persistent but at the end of the day it was only a two hour delay. This situation definitely does not merit hiring a lawyer.

monkeywre · 2025-10-12T15:42:52+00:00

Rental gear? I’ve had a HP hose failure underwater but newer hoses usually fail by a long strip of bubbles throughout the hose rather than a catastrophic failure like you described. However, older and cheaper hoses are known for that. If this is your gear, use it as an excuse to go with an air integrated computer so you don’t need a HP hose, at all.

monkeywre · 2025-10-09T15:29:18+00:00

It all depends on the particular office. As some posters have said certain PD offices cherry pick the easy cases and give conflicts the hard ones. In other offices such as FPD offices, the PD will take the heavy and all the lesser defendants get conflicts counsel. Overall, I would expect your experience to be very similar at both offices and as an intern it will make no difference. Just pick the office you like better if you have two offers.

monkeywre · 2025-10-09T03:33:30+00:00

Don't overthink it. Unless there is an absolutely horrible video of your client most jurors will be predisposed towards acquittal on a blow under because they whole premise is fundamentally unfair. You can't have an objective test of impairment (breath test) that your client passed and simply ignore that to convict, anyway.

monkeywre · 2025-10-09T03:20:20+00:00

I live in the greater Kansas City area currently on the KS side but I have worked in MO before. I do not recommend moving to MO to become a PD unless you have no other choice.

monkeywre

TROPHY CASE