Starting Salary based on experience or otherwise?

[phillyesq]

 I have an interview coming up this week in Philly and was wondering if a salary offer is for step 1 in the GS12 range, based on years of practice following admission, or based one's current salary? 

Also, would it be fair to say that the AA position is more for newly admitted attorneys?   I have ben barred for 16 years and applied because I would like to enter the federal system. However, given the comments about the near impossibility of advancement that I've read, I'm wondering how long most people stay in this role and what options are available if they do not get an ALJ position, or one of the few Senior Attorney Advisor positions? Finally, what is a staff attorney --  do they litigate?

thanks.

[superbonbon]

During my interview, the ALJ told me that unless an applicant has SSA experience, expect GS-11...and that's what I got.  Been barred since '02.

[phillyesq]

Thanks for your reply.  So, does starting at a GS 11 mean at step 1 also?   I was told there was an automatic promotion to GS12 after 1 year.

[superbonbon]

From what I'm told, it's pretty much a lock that it's GS-12 after one year, which should be around $70k next year.