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Post by workdrone on Sept 23, 2013 17:53:55 GMT -5
She did not leave SSA to be a special master. She went from SSA to ITC. Both you and ALJFaq are right. ALJ Lord was appointed as an ALJ by SSA in 2008, she then went off to be a Special Master for the Court of Federal Claims from 2009-2012. She then returned to SSA last year and was working out of the Falls Church NHC until she got hired by the ITC this year. Definitely an interesting career path.
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Post by funkyodar on Sept 23, 2013 18:53:52 GMT -5
I think it confirms what I was hoping: that you can take an SSA gig and be appointed an ALJ, but then if you find you don't like it, leave to do something bearable, and then apply for other ALJ openings that you do like in other agencies and locations. Hey faq, over in polling palace I just saw where you posted that you haven't been practicing for 10 years yet. You aren't even past the 10 year mark as an attorney and are making 350k a year? I change my answer to the query you posted in this thead. You would be nuttier than squirrel poop to leave for an alj gig. If you can really live on less than half the salary you now have, just do it in the current job for 10 more years, invest the rest along with any raises and retire in your 40s. There's your quality of life right there.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2013 20:39:12 GMT -5
I did about 10 years of litigation in private practice before I went into public service and eventually became an ALJ with a federal agency other than SSA. If you have been doing intense and complicated litigation for eight years, being an ALJ will hold no excitement for you. On the other hand, if you have been at your job for eight years and, for whatever reason, don't like what you are doing or the life you are living, life is too short to waste another decade being miserable. I got to the point where the stress of litigation became too much. As a litigator you are always in conflict with opposing attorneys and at the beck and call of presiding judges. There are no hours when you are actively litigating a case. You spend your weekends preparing for and stressing over the case that starts Monday and your weekday nights going over the events of the day and preparing your witnesses. It is a life that you must really love, and some people do and strive on it. I don't think you should stay in it for the money if you would otherwise not. As for myself and my family, I have been married for more than forty years and have grown children and young grandchildren. They and I agree that I made the right decision leaving private practice. Money was not the same but enough to live comfortably with time to enjoy life. The funny thing about money is that the more you have, the more you want. If money is your objective, you can never have enough, but, cliche that it may be, you can't take it with you.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2013 4:21:20 GMT -5
Long time lurker, first time poster...greetings from South Carolina. I have recently won a "national lottery" that has a substantial prize. However, I am not sure whether I should keep the money and decline the ALJ position, when it is offered (I did really well on the test and slightly below average on the interview); give the ticket to a new friend I just met that needs money for an orphanage overseas (probably not one you've heard of, it is new...no website yet, November probably); or eat the ticket and crap gold for the rest of my life. What would you do? I would probably fund, in perpetuity, a college seminar on humor at some South Carolina institution of higher learning and provide scholarships. There seems to be a need! My apologies Venus, albeit sarcastically, you were making a point.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 5:32:58 GMT -5
I did about 10 years of litigation in private practice before I went into public service and eventually became an ALJ with a federal agency other than SSA. If you have been doing intense and complicated litigation for eight years, being an ALJ will hold no excitement for you. On the other hand, if you have been at your job for eight years and, for whatever reason, don't like what you are doing or the life you are living, life is too short to waste another decade being miserable. I got to the point where the stress of litigation became too much. As a litigator you are always in conflict with opposing attorneys and at the beck and call of presiding judges. There are no hours when you are actively litigating a case. You spend your weekends preparing for and stressing over the case that starts Monday and your weekday nights going over the events of the day and preparing your witnesses. It is a life that you must really love, and some people do and strive on it. I don't think you should stay in it for the money if you would otherwise not. As for myself and my family, I have been married for more than forty years and have grown children and young grandchildren. They and I agree that I made the right decision leaving private practice. Money was not the same but enough to live comfortably with time to enjoy life. The funny thing about money is that the more you have, the more you want. If money is your objective, you can never have enough, but, cliche that it may be, you can't take it with you. I am curious marcopolo, if you are an ALJ with another federal agency, why do you want to leave that position and try to become a SSA ALJ? Have you ever done social security work? Why would you trade one ALJ job for another? Aljfaq wants to become an ALJ at another federal agency besides SSA, but figures if he acquires a position with SSA, he can transfer to another federal agency. I guess I am curious as to your motives, unless you picked one or two locations you want to move to and hope SSA picks you up as an ALJ in one of those locations. A sort of wind down toward retirement.
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Post by privateatty on Sept 24, 2013 6:21:54 GMT -5
I did about 10 years of litigation in private practice before I went into public service and eventually became an ALJ with a federal agency other than SSA. If you have been doing intense and complicated litigation for eight years, being an ALJ will hold no excitement for you. On the other hand, if you have been at your job for eight years and, for whatever reason, don't like what you are doing or the life you are living, life is too short to waste another decade being miserable. I got to the point where the stress of litigation became too much. As a litigator you are always in conflict with opposing attorneys and at the beck and call of presiding judges. There are no hours when you are actively litigating a case. You spend your weekends preparing for and stressing over the case that starts Monday and your weekday nights going over the events of the day and preparing your witnesses. It is a life that you must really love, and some people do and strive on it. I don't think you should stay in it for the money if you would otherwise not. As for myself and my family, I have been married for more than forty years and have grown children and young grandchildren. They and I agree that I made the right decision leaving private practice. Money was not the same but enough to live comfortably with time to enjoy life. The funny thing about money is that the more you have, the more you want. If money is your objective, you can never have enough, but, cliche that it may be, you can't take it with you. I am curious marcopolo, if you are an ALJ with another federal agency, why do you want to leave that position and try to become a SSA ALJ? Have you ever done social security work? Why would you trade one ALJ job for another? Aljfaq wants to become an ALJ at another federal agency besides SSA, but figures if he acquires a position with SSA, he can transfer to another federal agency. I guess I am curious as to your motives, unless you picked one or two locations you want to move to and hope SSA picks you up as an ALJ in one of those locations. A sort of wind down toward retirement. Maybe he/she got hired off the Register by another Agency. And right on, marcopolo. I figured that I halved my chances of infarcting by taking this job. Also, I spend less and am alot happier.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2013 7:15:44 GMT -5
I am curious marcopolo, if you are an ALJ with another federal agency, why do you want to leave that position and try to become a SSA ALJ? Have you ever done social security work? Why would you trade one ALJ job for another? Aljfaq wants to become an ALJ at another federal agency besides SSA, but figures if he acquires a position with SSA, he can transfer to another federal agency. I guess I am curious as to your motives, unless you picked one or two locations you want to move to and hope SSA picks you up as an ALJ in one of those locations. A sort of wind down toward retirement. Maybe he/she got hired off the Register by another Agency. And right on, marcopolo. I figured that I halved my chances of infarcting by taking this job. Also, I spend less and am alot happier. I retired from my position as an ALJ. To be truthful, I am Diogenes from previous posts. I had decided not to go forward with Phase III and, as a result, had cancelleed my membership in this forum. However, I changed my mind about Phase III and decided that, although I have a very limited GAL and probably will not get an offer, I have come this far and might as well see it through. I then reactivated my membership with the new name, Marcopolo in honor of all the twists and turns. I was originally scheduled for August 15 and 16 but now am on for October 1 and 2 with the possibility of the government shutdown messing everything up. I am taking it one step at a time and will make decisions if and when they become necessary.
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Post by funkyodar on Sept 24, 2013 7:34:20 GMT -5
Guys and gals,
I certainly appreciate the position that money doesn't buy happiness, family time is pricelss, litigation is hard, better mental health/stress management in the alj job.
I loved litigation. Only came to odar because tort reform had made the economics of running my own firm too hard and family circumstances required me to get a job with medical provided.
But lets take a look at what we know about aljfaq. From his own posts we know 1) he hasn't been a practicing attorney for even 10 years. This most likely means heis under 35 yo, tho perhaps he went to lawschool later in life. 2) He reportedly makes 350k a year. Think about that. According to the ABA that's more than twice the average attorney salary. We also know he can apparently live on less than half that amount because he is willing to take the alj gig.
We also know 3) he has no desire to work for SSA except maybe as a stepping stone to another agency and 4) he is unwilling to live anywhere but the most popular of locations.
5) the only motivation I have seen him give for wanting to be an alj is to get more time at home and to get out of a job where he has to kiss arse to higher ups and schmooze clients. These of course are worthy goals, but seems to ignore the real world facts that all jobs where you work for someone else involves taking crap from your higher ups.
Maybe yall are right. $ shouldn't keep him in a job he hates. But, from his posts I'm almost positive he will be equally dissatisfied with an alj job and be making less than half the $.
If he is truly under 35 and truly making the scrooge mcduck money he says, suck it up and knock out a few more years then go do what will really make you happy.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2013 7:39:30 GMT -5
Guys and gals, I certainly appreciate the position that money doesn't buy happiness, family time is pricelss, litigation is hard, better mental health/stress management in the alj job. I loved litigation. Only came to odar because tort reform had made the economics of running my own firm too hard and family circumstances required me to get a job with medical provided. But lets take a look at what we know about aljfaq. From his own posts we know 1) he hasn't been a practicing attorney for even 10 years. This most likely means heis under 35 yo, tho perhaps he went to lawschool later in life. 2) He reportedly makes 350k a year. Think about that. According to the ABA that's more than twice the average attorney salary. We also know he can apparently live on less than half that amount because he is willing to take the alj gig. We also know 3) he has no desire to work for SSA except maybe as a stepping stone to another agency and 4) he is unwilling to live anywhere but the most popular of locations. 5) the only motivation I have seen him give for wanting to be an alj is to get more time at home and to get out of a job where he has to kiss arse to higher ups and schmooze clients. These of course are worthy goals, but seems to ignore the real world facts that all jobs where you work for someone else involves taking crap from your higher ups. Maybe yall are right. $ shouldn't keep him in a job he hates. But, from his posts I'm almost positive he will be equally dissatisfied with an alj job and be making less than half the $. If he is truly under 35 and truly making the scrooge mcduck money he says, suck it up and knock out a few more years then go do what will really make you happy. You may be absolutely right. This is a decision he has to make on his own. My intention was to share my own experience with him in hope that he may find it useful. I do firmly believe, however, that staying in a job that you hate just for the money is a very big mistake.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 8:02:52 GMT -5
Maybe he/she got hired off the Register by another Agency. And right on, marcopolo. I figured that I halved my chances of infarcting by taking this job. Also, I spend less and am alot happier. I retired from my position as an ALJ. To be truthful, I am Diogenes from previous posts. I had decided not to go forward with Phase III and, as a result, had cancelleed my membership in this forum. However, I changed my mind about Phase III and decided that, although I have a very limited GAL and probably will not get an offer, I have come this far and might as well see it through. I then reactivated my membership with the new name, Marcopolo in honor of all the twists and turns. I was originally scheduled for August 15 and 16 but now am on for October 1 and 2 with the possibility of the government shutdown messing everything up. I am taking it one step at a time and will make decisions if and when they become necessary. Thanks for answering diogenes, I mean marcopolo. Welcome back to the Board and the process. I am glad you are back. I understand your reasoning for originally leaving and for coming back. Therefore, I am right you came back to get an ALJ gig in limited locations or not at all. I can appreciate that completely. Good luck and I hope your testing is not disrupted by a possible government shutdown.
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Post by bartleby on Sept 24, 2013 8:11:08 GMT -5
Marcopolo, if you were a Federal ALJ, can't you be reinstated?? Why go through the full hiring process if there is no need??
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 8:13:45 GMT -5
Guys and gals, I certainly appreciate the position that money doesn't buy happiness, family time is pricelss, litigation is hard, better mental health/stress management in the alj job. I loved litigation. Only came to odar because tort reform had made the economics of running my own firm too hard and family circumstances required me to get a job with medical provided. But lets take a look at what we know about aljfaq. From his own posts we know 1) he hasn't been a practicing attorney for even 10 years. This most likely means heis under 35 yo, tho perhaps he went to lawschool later in life. 2) He reportedly makes 350k a year. Think about that. According to the ABA that's more than twice the average attorney salary. We also know he can apparently live on less than half that amount because he is willing to take the alj gig. We also know 3) he has no desire to work for SSA except maybe as a stepping stone to another agency and 4) he is unwilling to live anywhere but the most popular of locations. 5) the only motivation I have seen him give for wanting to be an alj is to get more time at home and to get out of a job where he has to kiss arse to higher ups and schmooze clients. These of course are worthy goals, but seems to ignore the real world facts that all jobs where you work for someone else involves taking crap from your higher ups. Maybe yall are right. $ shouldn't keep him in a job he hates. But, from his posts I'm almost positive he will be equally dissatisfied with an alj job and be making less than half the $. If he is truly under 35 and truly making the scrooge mcduck money he says, suck it up and knock out a few more years then go do what will really make you happy. Funky I am with you, but I do understand marcopolo's response. It has to be aljfa1q's decision to do what is best for him. I think aljfaq's mind was made up well prior to posting this original thread that he was going forward in the process. Also, I bet unless he gets an ALJ gig in one or two particular places, he is not leaving his present position. I know he wants an ALJ position, besides SSA/ODAR, but he would be willing to take an ALJ position with SSA/ODAR if it is in a desirable place and then he can wait it out until a possible opening occurs elsewhere for him at another federal agency. Short of that, I would think he is not likely to give up his present position earning $350,000 a year in litigation. Those are my thoughts on aljfaq, although I am absolutely sure he will say something else to "set me straight". LOL! The other thing being he is still relatively young and still trying to determine what he wants to do with the rest of his life. At least he is leaving his options open.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2013 8:53:45 GMT -5
Marcopolo, if you were a Federal ALJ, can't you be reinstated?? Why go through the full hiring process if there is no need?? The agency I was with hired directly, not through OPM. No Register, so, unless I wanted to return there, I have to make the Register. My old agency does not have openings at this time and I would not want to return to do the same thing I did for twenty years.
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Post by chinook on Sept 24, 2013 10:11:16 GMT -5
With all due respect, I expect you were an AJ (Administrative Judge), AAJ (Administrative Appeals Judge) or IJ (Immigration Judge). ALJs (Administrative Law Judges) are only appointed through OPM. That system has been in place for decades.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2013 10:35:56 GMT -5
With all due respect, I expect you were an AJ (Administrative Judge), AAJ (Administrative Appeals Judge) or IJ (Immigration Judge). ALJs (Administrative Law Judges) are only appointed through OPM. That system has been in place for decades. You are correct, I was one of those, that is why I have to make the Register and cannot just reinstate to an ALJ position. I will not divulge which one I was only because it might make it easier for someone to identify me which I wouldn't want during this process.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 10:59:02 GMT -5
With all due respect, I expect you were an AJ (Administrative Judge), AAJ (Administrative Appeals Judge) or IJ (Immigration Judge). ALJs (Administrative Law Judges) are only appointed through OPM. That system has been in place for decades. You are correct, I was one of those, that is why I have to make the Register and cannot just reinstate to an ALJ position. I will not divulge which one I was only because it might make it easier for someone to identify me which I wouldn't want during this process. Marcopolo, I think the point Chinook was trying to make is your past position wasn't a "proper ALJ", but only something akin to it. Hence, you could not just be re-instated. You are doing the testing process to become an ALJ, a totally different position than what you held originally for the federal agency you worked for in the past.
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Post by sealaw90 on Sept 24, 2013 11:08:14 GMT -5
With all due respect, I expect you were an AJ (Administrative Judge), AAJ (Administrative Appeals Judge) or IJ (Immigration Judge). ALJs (Administrative Law Judges) are only appointed through OPM. That system has been in place for decades. You are correct, I was one of those, that is why I have to make the Register and cannot just reinstate to an ALJ position. I will not divulge which one I was only because it might make it easier for someone to identify me which I wouldn't want during this process. I respect your anonymity Diog/marco, so please don't give any more away, but I appreciate your explanation. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why you couldn't ask for reinstatement or be on the retired judge list. There are a few other AJ/ALJ-type positions open at Interior's Board of Land Appeals and MSPB. Personally, the Land Board sounds pretty cool, and MSPB is better than EEOC, but maybe you know more about that than I do! If so, DON'T feel the need to share - again, we try to remain ocognito as much as we can on the board! Good luck next week and I really hope the OPM proctors are considered 'essential personnel' if we face a shutdown.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2013 11:12:07 GMT -5
Yes, I understand the point. I was not an ALJ, thought that was clear, sorry if it was not. I was a judge, so identified by federal regulations, hired directly by another agency. We had our own pay scale which topped out, when I left, at $165,500.00..
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Post by sealaw90 on Sept 24, 2013 11:23:30 GMT -5
Yes, I understand the point. I was not an ALJ, thought that was clear, sorry if it was not. I was a judge, so identified by federal regulations, hired directly by another agency. We had our own pay scale which topped out, when I left, at &165,500.00.. That would be nice if you get pay parity. Not that I am putting the cart before the horse, first you've got to "crush" phase 3, which I am sure you will, given your background and length of experience. But, just dreaming of pay parity - it's a wonderful thing if you can get it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2013 11:37:44 GMT -5
Yes, I understand the point. I was not an ALJ, thought that was clear, sorry if it was not. I was a judge, so identified by federal regulations, hired directly by another agency. We had our own pay scale which topped out, when I left, at &165,500.00.. That would be nice if you get pay parity. Not that I am putting the cart before the horse, first you've got to "crush" phase 3, which I am sure you will, given your background and length of experience. But, just dreaming of pay parity - it's a wonderful thing if you can get it. Thank you. Have to wait and see if I even get to do Phase III next week, let alone do well. Given that and my very limited GAL I don't hold out much hope but at least I'm in the game and who knows what can happen. Best of luck to you.
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