The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel seeks applications for its 2025 Attorney Honors Program. Honors Attorneys provide legal advice to help the Department meet its strategic goals, promoting U.S. commerce at home and abroad. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen graduating from law school in Spring 2025 or a recent law school graduate completing a clerkship or fellowship in Summer 2025. Please read this Public Notice fully before submitting your application.

Duties

The attorney(s) will be hired at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade level, depending on experience. The promotion potential following placement after one's participation in the Honors Program is to the GS-15 level. GS-11 Level: Performs a variety of legal duties such as: researching legal issues which are often factually complex; developing drafts of letters, memoranda, and legal documents for the use by a higher graded attorney; participating in administrative or judicial hearings; or engaging with other federal agencies in commerce-related matters. GS-12 Level: Performs a variety of legal duties such as researching legal issues which are often factually complex; developing drafts of letters, memoranda and legal documents for themselves or a higher graded attorney; participating in administrative or judicial hearings; or engaging with other federal agencies in commerce-related matters. The incumbent is expected to be able to independently present legal conclusions to adjudicatory authorities, high level organizational officials, as well as outside counsel and other interested groups.

Requirements

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ Basic requirement for all grade levels upon commencement of the position: You must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; AND You must have bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands or admission to such bar must be pending. If not yet admitted to a bar, you will be offered a law clerk position, and will be converted to an attorney position, and will be converted to an attorney position upon bar admission. 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. Minimum Requirements: The career ladder for attorney positions in OGC is generally GS-11 to GS-15. The minimum qualifications for hiring at each grade level (or equivalent) are as follows: To qualify at the GS-11 level: At the time of entry into the program,J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (The requirement that an applicant possess a J.D. may be waived if his or her bar membership is in a state that allows individuals to "read for the law" rather than pursue a formal academic degree). To qualify at the GS-12 level: GS-11 qualifications plus one year or more of post-J.D. legal experience. This includes clerkship or fellowship experience.

Education

Applicants must either be a candidate for a Juris Doctor for the Class of 2025 from an accredited law school or possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school. Official or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application package.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Secretary 1401 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20230 US
• Name: Beth Leech
• Email: [email protected]