If you think of colleagues who are secretaries in the federal judiciary, what are the most difficult life transitions that they have face

-- Michael Berney (mberney@tmn.com), August 17, 1999

Answers

When a judge retires or otherwise leaves office and you are left wondering if there will be a suitable position available for you within the judiciary.

-- Ann M. Wisniewski (ann_wisniewski@ca2.uscourts.gov), August 20, 1999.

This may not be what you are looking for, but:

A transition that I personally had to deal with when I came to the court system is the transition from private practice to working for the Federal government. I feel a sense of satisfaction in performing a "public service," but it certainly was hard to relinquish the holiday bonus, overtime pay, catered lunches, vacation time, etc.

-- Ann M. Wisniewski (ann_wisniewski@ca2.uscourts.gov), August 20, 1999.

The most difficult transitions I and my sister secretaries (I haven't met any brothers yet and don't know if there are any) seem to face are financial and free time.

There is definitely much more money to be made in the private sector, even at our level, and many more perks. As for the free time, as my judge told me once upon a time "I want you there when I'm there, and I want you there when I'm not there". There doesn't seem to be any down time for secretaries, and as for planning vacations -- the judge's schedule takes precedence.

-- Mary Wieczorek (Mary_Wieczorek@ck2.uscourts.gov), August 20, 1999.

All personal transitions -- marriage, children, divorce, moving, etc. are difficult, some more so than others. Also, dealing with these life transitions within not only one's family but the judge's family is sometimes just as stressful. Another big item is retirement -- it is often a difficult decision for one to make and sometimes must be made under added stress, e.g., a judge's death or departure from the bench.

-- Patricia L. Kowalski (Trish_Kowalski@CA3.USCourts.gov), September 22, 1999.