Honors Attorney (GS-904-11 Law Clerk/GS-905-12/13 Attorney Advisor)
The Attorney Honors Program is the FCC’s primary vehicle for hiring entry-level attorneys. AHP participants serve in a two-year employment and training program designed to introduce them to the field of communications law and policy. The FCC encourages law students in their final year of study, recent law school graduates, and current judicial clerks with superior academic credentials and an interest in public service and communications law to apply. See www.fcc.gov/attorneyhonorsprogram.
DutiesHonors Attorneys gain valuable experience and benefit from a wide variety of learning experiences. Attorneys at the FCC draft decisions in adjudicatory and rule-making matters, work with internal and external constituencies to resolve complex policy issues before the agency, participate in international negotiations, represent the FCC in dealings with other government agencies, Congress and the private sector, and defend FCC decisions in the federal courts. Additionally, Honors Attorneys benefit from a specialized training and career-development curriculum designed specifically for the program. Typically, Honors Attorneys:
- Conduct legal research, compile facts and background information, search authorities and precedents on points of law, and draft legal documents, reports, and memoranda;
- Study the record in cases pending before the agency and prepare drafts on the law and facts;
- Research legal and policy matters involved in special projects, including interpretations of treaties, statutes, and regulations; prepare written authoritative opinions; and prepare responses to inquiries from members of the public concerning communications law, policy, and procedures;
- Examine formal filings such as applications for licenses or other authorities, petitions and responsive pleadings, formal and informal complaints and inquiries, and various reports and statements required to be filed under the Commission's rules; analyze questions of law and fact, conduct the necessary research, and prepare appropriate documents recommending dispositive action.
SalaryConditions of Employment- Must submit a cover letter
- Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
- U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- Must submit a resume.
- Must submit a law school transcript
- Must submit a writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages)
- Must submit a list of three professional references (with phone and email)
- GS-12/13 Honors Attorneys: Bar membership required at time of appointment
General Eligibility Requirements- Current law student who will graduate in the spring or summer of 2025;
- Graduate law student who will complete your course of study by the summer of 2025;
- Federal, state, or municipal judicial clerk serving during the 2024-25 judicial term;
- Recent law students who graduated in the spring or summer of 2024.
QualificationsBefore making a selection, the FCC reviews many facets of a candidate's background as outlined below. Graduating law students, recent law students who graduated in the spring or summer of 2024, and current judicial clerks with strong qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Current federal employees must meet one year of time in grade requirements. SF-50 must be provided to document time in grade.
GS-11 QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
Candidates must either (a) be enrolled in an accredited degree-seeking program in pursuit of a J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law degree and be scheduled to complete their course of study by the summer of 2025; or (b) have recently completed their J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law program in the spring or summer of 2024 or have successfully completed their J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law program and be currently serving as a judicial clerk.
GS-12/13 QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
Professional Law Experience: Professional law experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. You must meet the minimum basic educational requirements for Honors Attorney positions. Education requirements include: a professional law degree, J.D., LL.B. or LL.M., or other graduate law program.
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
GS-12
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of professional law experience and specialized experience in or equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal Service.
GS-13
Applicants must possess at least two years of professional law experience and specialized experience and at least one year of the experience must be specialized experience which is at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.
Required DocumentsEach of the following documents should be submitted as a separate PDF file, with your last name as part of the file name.
- Cover letter
- Resume (We strongly prefer that you upload a standard professional resume rather than use the resume-builder.)
- Transcripts (official or unofficial)
- Writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages)
- List of three professional references (including phone and e-mail address)
Applicants will be deemed ineligible if they do not provide any one of the documents outlined above.
How to ApplyFor the Fall 2025 Attorney Honors Program, applicants should apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. You must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.
- To expedite processing of your application, please save each of the required documents as a separate PDF file, with your last name as part of the file name.
- Please review your application materials carefully; we will NOT be able to accommodate edits to your application once it is submitted.
- We emphasize that your application, including your resume and all other required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If applying online poses a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Holidays and Leave
- Retirement
- Thrift Savings Plan
- Transit Benefit
- Alternative Work Schedule
- Telecommuting
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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