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Legal Division Honors Attorney Program

Last Updated: January 16, 2024

How to Apply

To apply for the Honors Attorney Program, register and establish a USAJOBS account. Once registered online, click the "Apply" button to complete the online assessment questionnaire and submit all required documents. Your complete application should include the following:

  1. Cover letter stating anticipated date or date of graduation;
  2. Resume, which should include unrounded law school GPA and undergraduate GPA. The resume may exceed one page and should emphasize honors, awards and achievements awarded during law school and undergraduate school, as well as relevant work experience;
  3. Persuasive and unedited legal writing sample of 15 pages or less;
  4. The names of two references including email addresses and daytime phone numbers.
  5. Law school transcript from ALL LAW SCHOOLS ATTENDED, official or unofficial in a format generated by the law school (photocopy acceptable), and class rank, only when present on an official transcript. Self-prepared transcripts cannot be submitted in lieu of a law school transcript;
  6. Explanation of unusual grading system, if applicable; and
  7. Proof of bar admission reflecting good standing status, if applicable.

When deciding which candidates are qualified for an interview, we look at the candidate’s total application package including undergraduate academic record, law school academic record, any law review or law journal participation (including service as an editor), judicial clerkship experience, national or regional moot court competition participation, and other special qualifications (such as another advanced degree in a related area) or life experience and legal writing sample. An appropriate legal writing sample should be persuasive and demonstrate the candidate’s legal research, analytical problem solving, and writing skills, (i.e., organization, grammar, spelling, and persuasiveness). Applicants should not submit edited work, such as a published law review article or opinion issued by a court; however, a draft that is totally your work (i.e., not edited by anyone other than you) is acceptable. Legal writing samples should not exceed 15 pages.

Please be sure to click "Submit Application" to complete the application process. You must apply online at USAJOBS; see Frequently Asked Questions for links to positions.

Applications will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

The FDIC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact Dawn D. Johnson, Administrative Specialist, at DawJohnson@fdic.gov.

For more information, email your questions to HonorsAttorneyProgram@fdic.gov.

Privacy Act Statement

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. § 1819) and Executive Order 9397, as amended, authorize the collection of this information. The purpose for collecting this information is to evaluate your qualifications for employment by the FDIC. Furnishing this information is voluntary but failure to provide the requested information in whole or in part may delay or prevent further processing of your application for employment. The information you provide may be furnished to appropriate Federal, state, local or foreign law enforcement authorities; to a court, administrative tribunal, or a party in litigation; to contractors, agents and other third parties as authorized by law, and in accordance with any of the other routine uses described in the FDIC Honors Attorney Applicant Records (FDIC-30-64-0001) System of Records. A complete copy of this System of Records is available at www.fdic.gov/about/privacy. If you have questions or concerns about the collection or use of the information, you may contact the FDIC’s Chief Privacy Officer at Privacy@fdic.gov.

Honors Attorney Program Key Dates

  • Summer: Application opens.
  • September: Application deadline. You must have your application and all materials submitted by this date and time.
  • Early October: Interview candidates selected.
  • Mid-October to early November: Interview period.
  • Mid-November to late January: Offers extended.