The Attorney Honors Program (AHP) 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 and current judicial clerks with superior academic credentials and an interest in public service and communications law to apply. Visit www.fcc.gov/attorneyhonorsprogram for details.

Duties

Honors Attorneys gain valuable experience and benefit from a wide variety of learning experiences. Attorneys at the FCC draft decisions in adjudicatory and rulemaking 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:

Requirements

• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Must submit a cover letter
• Must submit a resume (standard format preferred rather than resume-builder)
• Must submit an official of unofficial law school transcript
• Must submit a writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages)
• Must submit a list of three professional references (with phone and email)

Qualifications

Before making a selection, the FCC reviews many facets of a candidate's background as outlined below.  Graduating law students and current judicial clerks with strong qualifications are encouraged to apply. (Current judicial clerks should apply to the companion vacancy announcement "HonorsAtty-OGC-2023-002".)  Current federal employees must meet one year of time in grade requirements.

Education

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 2024; or (b) 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 2024 in order to be eligible for appointment as an Honors Attorney at the FCC.

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, and interest in government service and/or the communications industry.

Contacts

• Address Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street NE Washington, District of Columbia 20554 United States
• Name: Kristin Young
• Phone: 540-303-8108
• Email: [email protected]