Hiring Process

Characteristics of a Competitive Candidate

• Class Rank: GPA of 3.0 or higher; Top 50% required
• Exceptional writing and analytical skills
• Law journal or secondary journal preferred but not required
• Clinical activities, moot court, trial advocacy preferred but not required
• Demonstrated involvement in activities beyond required coursework
• Ability to adapt quickly to new work environments

Honors Attorneys on a field trip to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

First Round Interviews

Typically, in the summer, the Department begins recruiting for the next Honors Attorney Program class, which will begin in August the following year.  Prospective candidates will typically be able to find information about the application cycle from the Department's website, USAJOBS, or their law school's career services office. First-round interviews are conducted virtually by Department attorneys and typically last between 20 and 30 minutes.  

Second Round Interviews

Outstanding candidates are invited for second round of interviews where at least two Department attorneys interview them.  Candidates also have the opportunity to meet with current honors attorneys to ask informal, off-record questions about the program.  The Second Round may also include a writing prompt.

Selection

At the conclusion of interviewing, a committee composed of Senior Department attorneys meet to review the applicants and select the new honors attorneys class.  After approval from the General Counsel, the Honors Attorney Program Manager extends offers to candidates for approximately four positions. Offers are generally extended by late-November.