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Post by lifelongdc on Jan 21, 2014 21:32:36 GMT -5
Sealaw: Thanks for the lookout. I am not adept at this type of board and only just got your assist.
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Post by sealaw90 on Jan 22, 2014 16:20:22 GMT -5
No prob! I'm not too adept at this either!
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Post by cougarfan on Jan 22, 2014 17:17:39 GMT -5
For what it is worth - I'm an alj who came from the private sector. I wasn't making 350K, but I was making more than the ALJ cap. I took a 50% cut in pay to become an ALJ and didn't get an assignment close to my home - not good because that's about the time the real estate market crashed.....but that's another story....
If you are strictly looking at finances, I wouldn't make the jump. Altering your standard of living by that much (esp if you have kids) can be very difficult - just telling your kids less Christmas, no vacation, etc., is tough when you've enjoyed a very high standard of living in the past with loads of disposable income... However, for quality of life issues - well, you can't go wrong. I have absolutely no stress at my job - I come in, do my hearings, visit with my staff, sign a few decisions and go home. I cannot believe I'm so fortunate. I'm always shocked at the ALJs who fuss about job responsibilities and stress - I just assume they must not be from private practice....
For what it's woth, I questioned the other former private practice/making much more $$ ALJs I work with are split on the issue - one wishes he could go back, one doesn't, and one is on the fence because of the loss of income, but better quality of life.
Hope that helps. And good luck! As someone else who came from private practice all I have to say is DITTO to everything you typed, that has been my experience as well.
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