DOJ Tells Leaders They Can Fire Certain Probationary Lawyers (1)

The Justice Department has authorized division leaders to terminate probationary employees based on performance, according to an email reviewed by Bloomberg Law that provides mixed signals on whether such firings are mandatory.

DOJ’s human resources office “recently provided guidance to components that they should promptly identify and remove probationary employees whose performance or conduct merits separation from federal service,” an administrative officer from the attorney recruitment office wrote to department officials Feb. 25.

The department’s attorney recruiting office director normally retains that termination power, but transferred it Feb. 25 to DOJ assistant attorneys general and other office chiefs in order ...