Honors Attorney

Summary

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

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Duties

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Honors 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; and/or
• 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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• GS-12/13 Honors Attorneys: Bar membership required at time of appointment.
• Must submit an official or unofficial law school transcript.
• U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must submit a list of three professional references (with phone and email).
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Resume must be limited to two pages.
• Must submit a cover letter.
• Must submit a writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages).

General Eligibility Requirements . You are eligible to apply during the fall application window for the 2027 Attorney Honors Program if you are a:

• Current law student who will graduate in the spring or summer of 2027;
• Graduate law student who will complete your course of study by the summer of 2027;
• Federal, state, or municipal judicial clerk serving during the 2026-27 judicial term; or
• Recent law students who graduated in the spring or summer of 2026.

Qualifications

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Before 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 2026, 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.

Transcripts must be submitted to verify education. If transcripts (official or unofficial) are not submitted, candidates will not be deemed eligible for this position. If you are unsure if your school is accredited, please use the following link t o verify :Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

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 2027; or (b) have recently completed their J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law program in the spring or summer of 2026 or have successfully completed their J.D., LL.M. or other graduate law program and be currently serving as a judicial clerk. (See "General Eligibility Requirements" for additional criteria).

Transcripts must be submitted to verify education. If transcripts (official or unofficial) are not submitted, candidates will not be deemed eligible for this position. If you are unsure if your school is accredited, please use the following link to verify: Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

NOTE: Candidates must have successfully completed their J.D. or LL.M. program by the summer of 2027 in order to be eligible for appointment as an Honors Attorney at the FCC.

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. For this position, examples of specialized experience include the following:

1. Conducting in-depth legal research
2. Drafting legal documents and/or memoranda
3. Providing input regarding the resolution of legal issues

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. For this position, examples of specialized experience include the following:

1. Experience interpreting laws, statutes, regulations and/or rule making documents
2. Skill analyzing legal issues, identifying potential problems and proposing solutions
3. Experience preparing legal documents to include briefs, legal memoranda, issue papers, and case summaries
4. Ability to communicate legal issues/positions.

Qualifying Experience

Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to: academic achievement, writing skills, law review and/or moot court experience, clinic or extracurricular activities.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

SEE INFORMATION OUTLINED UNDER THE SUBHEADING "QUALIFICATIONS".

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you may be eligible for federal employment and may apply for the Honors Attorney Program if you fall into one of the following categories of individuals:

• Individuals who are lawful permanent residents seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• Individuals who are admitted refugees under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and have filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
• Individuals who owe allegiance to the United States (e.g., nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island.)

(Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. E, Title VII, § 704, December 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1182.)

In addition to meeting one of the criteria listed above, you are still subject to the requirements of immigration law. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to being hired. If you are selected as an FCC Honors Attorney, you must also successfully complete a background investigation.

For more information about citizenship requirements for federal employment, please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at If you have additional questions about the eligibility of non-U.S. citizens for the FCC Attorney Honors Program, please contact Kristin Young in the FCC Office of Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Other:

- Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

- Required to serve a trial period. All time served on the temporary Honors Attorney appointment serves as the trial period.

- In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A 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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.