Legal News

Will it profit CA if it saves cash but loses state attorneys?

By Richard Binder

On Tuesday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that letters will be go out Friday to warn 20,000 low-seniority employees that they may be laid off this summer. Some state lawyers will receive letters, although it's unclear right now how many or who they are.

Employees of constitutional officers are exempt, according to Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear. Lawyers in the Legislature and judiciary are in the clear, too. Workers in agencies that operate on special funds, like user fees or federal money, won't be targeted either.

But other lawyers and administrative law judges working in dozens of agencies, departments and boards won't be protected. Add the layoff warnings to the recent furlough orders, stagnant pay levels and state government's general economic malaise and some attorneys are beginning to question the benefits of public employment.

Few lawyers take a job with the state for the money. But traditionally, state law has offered other perks, most importantly job security.  If that's gone, will the incentive to work for less stay?

Read the full story at The Recorder.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on February 11, 2009 (boomark / email).