Honors Attorney Program

Overview

Positions offered to honors attorneys are excepted service positions.  For more information regarding the excepted service, please visit www.opm.gov.

Eligibility

The Honors Attorney Program is a two-year program, which begins in even-numbered years.  To be eligible for our next program starting in September 2014, you must be graduating from law school in Spring 2014 or completing a judicial clerkship in the Summer 2014.  For law students graduating in odd-numbered years who are interested in our program, we encourage you to seek a judicial clerkship or fellowship so that you remain eligible to apply. 

Characteristics of a Competitive Candidate

• Class Rank: G.P.A of 3.0 or higher; Top 50% required
• Demonstrated commitment to public service
• Exceptional writing and analytical skills
• Law journal or secondary journal preferred but not required
• Clinical activities, moot court, trial advocacy preferred but not required
• Demonstrated involvement in activities beyond required coursework

The Department’s Honors Attorney Program offers new law graduates (and recent law graduates completing judicial clerkships or fellowships) a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the Department’s diverse law practice. During the two-year program, honors attorneys rotate once in the Department's Office of the General Counsel and in up to five Chief Counsels' Offices of the Department’s operating administrations.