Honors Attorney (GS-904-11 Law Clerk/GS-905-12/13 Attorney Advisor)

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 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. 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. 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. (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 2025 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: Conducting in-depth legal research Drafting legal documents and/or memoranda 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: Experience interpreting laws, statutes, regulations and/or rule making documents Skill analyzing legal issues, identifying potential problems and proposing solutions Experience preparing legal documents to include briefs, legal memoranda, issue papers, and case summaries 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.
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.