Two former U.S. attorneys say the job is fun, but exhausting.

George Anderson and Janice McKenzie Cole, who served as federal prosecutors in the Eastern District during the Carter and Clinton administrations, now work in private practice.

Anderson, who is in his 80s, runs a one-man firm in downtown Raleigh handling misdemeanors, wills and deeds — "nothing to get upset about or get my blood pressure up," he jokes.

Cole ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2002 and now runs an immigration law firm in Hertford and Manteo.

Both said they enjoyed the power and prestige of the office, but did not relish the spotlight.

"It's a job where you have a lot of visibility and you're called upon to make these very tough decisions in prosecutions and investigations," Cole said. "I wouldn't necessarily call it a fun job, but it is an excellent opportunity to have an impact."

"It's probably the best job you could have as an attorney," she added.

What happens to former U.S. attorneys?

The federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of North Carolina have gone onto wildly different careers after leaving office. Below, a quick roundup:

George Anderson: (1977-1980) Now a Raleigh attorney with his own practice.

Sam Currin: (1981-1987) Nominated for a federal judgeship but never confirmed. Led N.C. Republican Party from 1996 to 1999. Now serving time at a federal prison in Massachusetts for money laundering and obstruction of justice.

Margaret Currin: (1988-1993) Professor at Campbell University's law school.

Janice McKenzie Cole: (1994-2001) Ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2002. Now runs an immigration law firm in Hertford.

Frank Whitney: (2002-2005) Now a federal judge in the Western District based in Charlotte, a lifetime appointment.

The Eastern District U.S. attorney usually has a strong political patron.

For most of the last 20 years, the federal prosecutor in Raleigh appointed by the president has been closely tied to Sen. Jesse Helms, except during Democratic administrations.

Here is a list of former U.S. attorneys and their patrons:

George Anderson: (1977-1980) Backed by Democratic Sen. Robert Morgan; appointed by President Jimmy Carter.

Sam Currin: (1981-1987) Former Helms aide. Backed by Helms; appointed by President Ronald Reagan.

Margaret Currin: (1988-1993) The wife of the previous U.S. attorney. Backed by Helms; appointed by Reagan.

Janice McKenzie Cole: (1994-2001) Backed by Democratic U.S. Rep. Eva Clayton; appointed by President Bill Clinton. (No Democratic senator at that time.)

Frank Whitney: (2002-2005) Former Helms legislative counsel. Backed by Republican lawyer Tom Ellis, Helms' longtime political strategist; appointed by President George W. Bush.

George Holding: (2005-present) Former Helms aide and Whitney's No. 2 at U.S. attorney's office. Backed by Ellis; appointed by Bush.