Some of you have been asking for updates on Shanetta Cutlar, the high-powered Department of Justice lawyer who has generated some colorful stories in the past. If you’re not familiar with her, click here, and browse through the archives.

We don’t have anything terribly new to report on her. We hear that she has been on her “best behavior” ever since we started writing about her.

But since this is ATL Wayback Weekend, we’re happy to pass along something from back in June, which we never got around to writing up back then. A reader drew our attention to this Washington Post Career Track live web chat:

Washington, D.C.: I am a young attorney for the federal government. I loathe my current position because of a very moody and difficult supervisor (the situation is so horrible that half of my office is currently looking for new employment). I am desperate to leave this position, I am extremely stressed because of the work environment created by this supervisor. I have applied for 11 other federal positions.

While I wait to (hopefully) hear about one of those positions, can you recommend any other possible job search options? I really want to leave this position as soon as possible and I’ve only worked for the federal government (two years since law school).

Hmm… We wonder who this person’s boss might be. Any suggestions?

Discussion continues after the jump.

Here’s what Lindsey Pollak, author of “Getting From College to Career” (Collins, 2007), wrote in response:

Lindsey Pollak: I’m sorry to hear about your difficult situation. My advice is to tap into your connections and cast a wider net in your job search. Talk to friends, family, former colleagues, college alumni, law school alumni (off the record!) and ask about positions or organizations they might recommend you look into for a new position. Consider smaller law firms or businesses that work with the federal government. Consider nonprofit organizations (see earlier question recommending job sites Idealist.org and Philanthropy.com). Consider universities, small businesses, professional associations, start-ups, etc. You can also try posting your profile on LinkedIn.com where you can connect with other attorneys who might offer some advice or job leads. That’s a good way to tap the “hidden job market” and network for positions.

Fair enough — reasonable advice, even if a bit banal. We like the shout-out to LinkedIn, which everyone and their mother is joining these days.

If this reader is in fact in the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division — Shanetta Cutlar’s fiefdom — we say to them: Cheer up! You have a lot going for yourself. If you can survive Shanetta Cutlar, you can survive anything. Isn’t it best to have the worst boss ever at the start of your career, so that all subsequent bosses will be great by comparison? Remember the words of Nietzsche: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

Also, think about applying to work for Alexandra Korry. If you’re going to be miserable, you might as well be well-paid.

Career Track Live [washingtonpost.com]