General Attorney (Honors)

Summary

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel (OGC), is seeking applications for its 2027 Honors Attorney Program. Honors Attorneys at the U.S. Department of Commerce provide legal advice and counsel to help the Department meet its strategic goals in its broad mission to promote U.S. commerce at home and abroad.

Duties

The Honors Attorney Program offers new law graduates and recent law graduates completing judicial clerkships or fellowships a unique opportunity to complete a two-year rotational program before being assigned to a permanent position in one of OGC's many practice areas. Six-month rotational opportunities will provide each Honors Attorney with substantive and challenging assignments and broad exposure to Commerce's diverse mission and the work of a Cabinet-level agency. On each rotation, Honors Attorneys will work in one of nearly two dozen programmatic and administrative legal offices, including: Office of the Deputy General Counsel for Administration: Employment Litigation and Information (ELI) | Ethics Law and Program (ELP) | Legislation and Regulation (L&R) | Transactions and Program Management (TPM) | Office of Accountability (OA): OA is responsible for ensuring that the Department maintains the highest standards of performance and conduct across its 40,000+ person workforce. OA attorneys investigate instances of serious misconduct and poor performance and initiate appropriate corrective action. OA attorneys work on high-profile, sensitive personnel matters that threaten the Department's mission. Chief Counsel Offices: Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) | Office of the Chief Counsel for Economic Affairs (OCC-EA) | Office of the Chief Counsel of the Economic Development Administration (OCC-EDA) | Office of the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and Compliance (OCC-TEC) | Office of the Chief Counsel for Industry and Security (OCC-IS) | Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce (OCC-IC) | Office of the Chief Counsel for National Institute of Standards and Technology (OCC-NIST) | Office of the Chief Counsel for National Telecommunications and Information Administration (OCC-NTIA) | Office of the Chief Counsel for Semiconductor Incentives (OCC-SI).

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements Eligibility is limited to graduating law students and recent law school graduates who entered judicial clerkships, graduate law programs, or qualifying legal fellowships within 9 months of law school graduation. To be eligible for our next program starting in September/October 2027, you must be a U.S. citizen graduating from law school in Spring 2027 or a recent law school graduate completing a judicial clerkship or fellowship in Summer 2027.

Education

See Qualifications Above.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Applicants will be rated based on their education, experience, demonstrated legal research and writing abilities, and performance during the interview process. Basis for evaluation: If eligible and meeting basic qualifications, your application package will be evaluated in conjunction with your resume and supporting documents for the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of this position: Knowledge of research strategies and techniques sufficient to research the most complex legal issues. The issues researched are almost always factually complex and are in areas of the law which are often in a continual state of evolution, thus requiring atypical and innovative research strategies. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics in writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively, with particular emphasis on the ability to analyze and explain complex legal issues. Ability to communicate effectively orally with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics and independently present legal conclusions to adjudicatory authorities. Ability to maintain effective working and reporting relationships with professional peers, support staff, and management officials. Ability to organize work effectively to meet established deadlines and priorities related to legal cases and matters. Please be advised that Department of Commerce Attorney positions are in the Excepted Service. As such, these positions are not covered by the usual civil service hiring procedures. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications stated herein. We will perform an initial review of applications to determine basic eligibility and minimum qualifications for the position, and numeric scores will not be assigned. There are no numerical rating systems through which to apply veterans' preference; however, the Office of the General Counsel favorably considers veterans preference eligibility in hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume. If selected, additional information may be required.

Required Documents

A complete application consists of the following: Cover letter. Address demonstrated interests and qualifications as it relates to the position. Resume showing relevant experience. Your resume should list your educational and work experience, including the dates (mm/dd/yyyy) and provide the hours per week, if less than 40. For work in the Federal Service, please include the pay plan and grade level for the position(s). Copy of law school transcript. (Unofficial copy is sufficient, but official copy must be submitted before appointment). You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient. Certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. Prior to receiving an offer, you will be asked to provide a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. Failure to provide documents, if selected, may result in lost consideration. Please DO NOT put your SSN on pages within your application package. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

How to Apply

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING RESUMES AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Provide a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (official or unofficial), and writing sample to DOCHonorsProgram@doc.gov with the subject line: Honors Attorney Program-[LAST NAME]. The application opens on July 31, 2026, and closes on September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Any questions or requests for an accommodation in order to complete the application should be directed to DOCHonorsProgram@doc.gov

What to Expect Next

Once your application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your eligibility. You will only be contacted if you are found eligible and if you are selected for an interview. Applicants selected for interviews may be requested to provide a legal writing sample. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for OGC to share your application with others in OGC for similar positions. By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).

Additional Information

This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.

Eligibility Requirements Eligibility is limited to graduating law students and recent law school graduates who entered judicial clerkships, graduate law programs, or qualifying legal fellowships within 9 months of law school graduation. To be eligible for our next program starting in September/October 2027, you must be a U.S. citizen graduating from law school in Spring 2027 or a recent law school graduate completing a judicial clerkship or fellowship in Summer 2027.