Wednesday, July 17, 2013

The Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Honor Program

The Attorney General’s Honors Program is the centralized recruitment program that is the only way for new attorneys to enter the Department of Justice in an attorney position and is the largest and most prestigious federal entry-level attorney hiring program of its kind.

Participating Components

Every year, various component offices and U.S. Attorneys' Offices hire entry-level attorneys through the Honors Program. The number of entry-level attorney positions varies from year to year.  See the DOJ website for a list of participating components.

Selection Criteria
Selections are made based on many elements of a candidate’s background including a demonstrated commitment to government service, academic achievement, leadership, law review or moot court experience, legal aid and clinical experience, past employment, and extracurricular activities that relate to the work of Justice and the relevant component.

How to Apply
Candidates interested in starting their career as an entry-level attorney with the Department of Justice must apply through the Attorney General’s Honors Program via an on-line application. For employment beginning in Fall 2014, the application opens on July 31, 2013, and closes on September 3, 2013.  Read the application tips and checklist and assemble requested information before starting the application here.

Important Dates
•    July 31 – application opens
•    Tuesday after Labor Day, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time – application deadline
•    Late September – interview candidates selected
•    Mid. Oct – early Nov. – interviews conducted
•    Late Nov. thru Feb. – offers extended

For More Questions

Renata Gowie, Appellate Chief at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Houston, is the UHLC DOJ Ambassador. As an ambassador, she is the point of contact for law students who may have questions about legal opportunities with the Department of Justice. She can be reached at: renata.gowie@usdoj.gov