what is an honors attorney

Honors Attorneys are positions for attorneys with less than three years of post-law school legal practice. Honors Attorneys work under the close supervision of experienced attorneys. Applicants must have a record of strong writing and interpersonal communication skills.

Full Answer

What is honors attorney?

Honors attorneys will gain vast practical experience unique to government service, while having the honor and privilege of representing the United States government and engaging in public service.

Where is the Honors Attorney Program located?

Honors Attorney Program positions are two-year term positions at the IC-11/12 level (GS-11/12 equivalent) and will be located primarily at FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C.

What is the FEMA Honors Attorney Program?

The FEMA Honors Attorney Program provides challenging professional opportunities for outstanding, third-year law students with a commitment to public service.

How long does it take to become an honors attorney?

Successful candidates commit to working for two years in the Honors Program. Honors attorneys will have the opportunity to apply for vacancies upon completion of the program.

Where do OCC attorneys work?

OCC attorneys work in a dynamic environment where we partner closely with our program clients at Headquarters, regional and field offices to provide legally-sufficient and pragmatic solutions to legal, operational, and policy matters in circumstances that are often time-sensitive and involve high-level officials.

What is the Honors Attorney program?

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.

How many rotations are there for honors attorneys?

During the two-year program, honors attorneys complete one rotation in the Department's Office of the General Counsel and five rotations in the operating administrations' Offices of Chief Counsel. Rotations provide each honors attorney with substantive and challenging assignments across a wide spectrum of legal fields. Honors attorneys find themselves working in practice areas such as administrative, aviation, environmental, constitutional, torts, labor and employment, and contract and procurement law. Honors attorneys may assist with litigation, draft legislation, enforcement, and participate in the rulemaking process.

What is lunch for honors attorneys?

In addition to legal work, honors attorneys meet for lunch weekly to discuss current work assignments and program matters. The lunches also provide time for in-house training opportunities in such wide-ranging issues as the Freedom of Information Act, DOT's crisis management procedures, and regulation drafting, as well as many other topics relevant to the practice of law at a cabinet level agency.

Is there a page limit for my resume?

While there is no page limit to your resume, we receive thousands of applications, so brevity is appreciated.

Does prior work experience within DHS make a stronger candidate?

When reviewing applications, we consider all prior work experience of the applicant.

Is the Honors Attorney Program part of the DHS Secretary's Honors Program?

While the Honors Attorney Program is part of the Secretary’s Honors Program (SHP), there are different hiring timelines, program timing, rotational aspects, and requirements for the Honors Attorney Program. Unlike other careers offered under the SHP, Honors Attorneys are not hired under the Pathways Program, and completion of the Honors Attorney Program does not guarantee permanent employment. Additionally, Honors Attorneys have different training requirements than those in the SHP.

What is required of attorneys hired the in the Honors Attorney Program?

Honors Attorneys are required to complete the OGC orientation training. Honors Attorney performance is also rated on participation in Program-related events such as meetings, tours, and special assignments. Honors Attorneys are also required to attend the four-day Homeland Security Law Training Program held at one of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center locations. There are four opportunities to attend this training over the two-year program, and the Program Manager will work with each Honors Attorney to best accommodate each Honors Attorney’s schedule and OGC’s available funding at the time of the training. There are other training opportunities available to the Honors Attorneys through the Secretary’s Honors Program, but these opportunities are not requirements.

Does completion of the Honors Attorney Program result in permanent employment?

Honors Attorneys who participate in the National Capital Region (“NCR”) Program are eligible to apply for permanent positions after 18 months in the Program (under special circumstances, Honors Attorneys may be considered for permanent employment after one year). Permanent hiring is based upon funding availability and the Honors Attorney’s performance while in the Program. Since the inception of the Honors Attorney Program, the vast majority of Honors Attorneys who have completed the Program and desired a permanent position within the department have become permanent employees either at OGC or DHS Component legal offices.

When Honors Attorneys have the opportunity to apply for a permanent position, are they competing against other external candidates for the same position?

It depends on the position. Historically, OGC headquarters and component legal offices have placed great value on the Honors Attorney experience, and Honors Attorneys may be viewed favorably due to their participation in the Honors Attorney Program. Additionally, Honors Attorneys may have access to apply to positions that are only posted internally. The Honors Attorney program manager will work with the Honors Attorney to assist in finding permanent employment within the Department.

Do Honors Attorneys have an opportunity to give their preferences for rotations?

Honors Attorneys participating in the NCR Program provide OGC their preferences for rotations, and OGC tries to accommodate their preferences as best as possible. Rotations are also based on available funding and each office’s needs.

Online the Honors Attorney Program positions are listed as not telework eligible. Can you explain?

The FDIC continually assesses the impact of COVID-19 upon its workforce. As a result, all employees are teleworking. Once the FDIC implements Phase 3 of its Return to Office Plan, all Honors Attorney Program participants will be required to report to Headquarters.

When will I hear from you about an interview?

We intend to begin our interviews for the 2022 Honors Attorney Program in October 2021. We contact prospective interviewees by telephone and/or email beginning in October.

How will I know if my application is being considered?

We consider all applications "live" until we send you a letter indicating that we are no longer considering your application

I live far from Washington and some states have travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Are you planning on conducting in-person interviews?

We are continually assessing the impact of COVID-19. At this time, we anticipate conducting virtual interviews.

When will you make offers to successful applicants?

For the 2022 Honors Attorney Program we can make offers any time from October 2021 through late January 2022.

How are offers made?

We first make a "tentative" offer by telephone, followed by an email that includes an application link used for the required background check. Assuming the background check reveals no problems, we then send a formal offer letter with proposed grade and salary as well as the start date.

To whom should I address my cover letter?

You may address your cover letter to the "Honors Attorney Program Manager."

What is an Indian country fellowship?

The three-year Indian Country Fellowship (ICF) is open to all eligible Honors Program applicants, including current law students graduating in the current academic year. Indian Country Fellows may reapply to the Honors Program in a subsequent year provided they meet eligibility criteria.

What is an honors program attorney?

or Northern Virginia. Honors Program attorneys initially will complete a two year rotation to gain exposure to a wide variety of legal areas the FBI supports, including but not limited to: Cyber Law, National Security Law, Employment Law, Civil Litigation, Fiscal & Property Law, Science, Technology, and Investigative Law. Upon completion of the rotational assignment, Honors Program attorneys will be placed as permanent members of an FBI OGC legal unit. Applicants must be able to pass the FBI background investigation and receive a Top Secret security clearance. For more information about the FBI’s security clearance requirements, click here. U.S. citizenship required.

What is the Civil Division?

The Civil Division offers permanent positions in Washington, D.C. Civil Division applicants may designate their interest in specific branches on the application, but not specific sections within branches. The Civil Rights Division offers permanent positions in Washington, D.C. from among the sections listed below.

What is the National Security Division?

The National Security Division (NSD) offers permanent positions in Washington, D.C. Honors Program attorneys hired for permanent positions must agree to a three-year commitment and be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.

How many positions does the Antitrust Division have?

The Antitrust Division offers fifteen permanent positions in the locations listed below. Antitrust Division applicants may designate their interest in specific locations on the application.

What is a BOP attorney?

BOP attorneys represent the agency in a number of legal and policy matters and perform tasks related to the following practice areas: Commercial Law , Real Estate and Environmental Law, Employment Law and Ethics, Legal Administration (e.g., FOIA & Privacy Law), Legislative and Correctional Issues, and Litigation.

How long does an attorney have to be hired?

Some Districts require incoming attorney hires to agree to a three year commitment, but this varies by District. Formally participating Offices are listed here. Additional Districts, participating informally, are listed below.