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).

Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. This position requires a TOP SECRET CLEARANCE: Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. A trial period may be required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/) If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Drug Test Required: Yes, This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter. License required: No Pre-employment physical required: No Bargaining Unit Position: No Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

Education

See Qualifications Above.

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

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.

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.