This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Stacey Young, a former Department of Justice civil rights lawyer and founder of Justice Connection. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Building a Career at the DOJ
For nearly two decades, I worked at the Department of Justice. I started in the Civil Division, where I defended immigration laws and policies in federal court, including cases that went before the Supreme Court. Later, I joined the Civil Rights Division, focusing on enforcing anti-discrimination laws that protect workers from being treated unfairly based on immigration status or national origin.
Those years were challenging, but also deeply rewarding. I believed in public service, and for a long time, DOJ felt like the best place to serve.
Founding the DOJ Gender Equality Network
When Donald Trump was first elected, I sensed a shift coming. That’s when I co-founded the DOJ Gender Equality Network (DOJ GEN), an employee membership group designed to promote equity within the department.
We had some major victories. We successfully advocated for three months of paid parental leave for all federal employees, pushed DOJ to adopt a comprehensive sexual misconduct policy, and helped create a centralized unit to handle misconduct claims.
But DOJ GEN wasn’t just about policy wins it was a lifeline. Employees came to me with personal issues: sexual harassment ignored by supervisors, pay disparities between women and male counterparts, or retaliation after speaking up. Often, I was able to connect them to resources or advocate on their behalf. That direct support was some of the most gratifying work I’d ever done.
Why I Left the DOJ
When Trump returned to office for a second term, the administration moved to intimidate employees who were promoting diversity, equity, and equality. It became clear that DOJ GEN and similar networks would be dismantled.
I realized staying would not only put me at risk, but also jeopardize the thousands of employees who relied on DOJ GEN. On January 24, I shut down the network and resigned the same day.
Launching Justice Connection
Soon after, I founded Justice Connection, an independent support network for DOJ employees. Hundreds of current and former DOJ staff have already reached out for help. We connect them with alumni who provide pro bono representation in cases of retaliation, termination, ethics investigations, or even congressional inquiries.
We also support whistleblowers, provide media training, and run a mental health network linking employees to clinicians who offer free or reduced-cost therapy.
Importantly, we’re building an employment support network to help DOJ staff transition to new careers connecting them to job opportunities, offering résumé support, and introducing them to alumni who can open doors. For many, this is the first time in decades they’ve needed to update a résumé.
The Human Cost of DOJ’s Upheaval
The DOJ has lost more than 4,000 employees in recent months. That kind of exodus creates a ripple effect across the job market.
Certain groups face even greater challenges:
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FBI, ATF, and DEA agents often struggle to find equivalent roles in state or local law enforcement.
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Civil rights attorneys have been purged in large numbers, but only a handful of organizations specialize in that work.
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White-collar litigators face reduced demand in law firms, as federal enforcement has slowed.
Many employees planned to retire at DOJ, so being forced out has been devastating. Some of my colleagues are writing résumés for the first time in 20 or 30 years.
Finding Purpose in Support Work
The past seven months have been painful. I’ve watched brilliant, committed public servants endure unjust treatment at the hands of their own government. But through Justice Connection, I’ve also seen resilience and the power of community.
We’ve matched dozens of employees with alumni defenders, connected people to mental health care, and even helped some land new jobs. The impact has been tangible and deeply meaningful.
When I founded DOJ GEN, I thought it was the most rewarding work of my career. Now, with Justice Connection, I see that work continuing on an even bigger scale. I never expected to leave law practice, but I believe this is exactly where I should be right now. Supporting public servants in crisis isn’t just necessary it’s my purpose.
