Office of General Counsel

OGC Honors Program

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 10, 2023

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of General Counsel (OGC) Honors Attorney Program is seeking outstanding law school graduates that have an interest in public service.  The Honors Attorney program attracts eligible individuals interested in a federal agency legal practice in a wide array of areas to include: government contracts; real estate; administrative law; labor/personnel law and litigation. This program provides new attorneys with intellectually challenging legal work, professional development, and an opportunity to serve United States Veterans.

The OGC Honors Program will select a limited number of applicants to begin working in the Fall of 2024.  OGC will designate the number and location of positions based on current agency needs.  Honors Program attorneys will gain valuable experience in the federal sector and benefit from OGC training in a wide variety of subject matter areas through New Attorney Orientation and various Education and Training Committee presentations.

Why choose VA OGC:  There are many reasons attorneys choose to work for the VA OGC.  The VA’s mission “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers and survivors”, has been a motivating factor for many individuals coming from all backgrounds.  The VA also has a workforce fully committed to the VA’s core values – ICARE – Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence. In addition to the opportunities to practice in different and exciting areas of the law, the VA OGC has offices across the nation.  The VA places high emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, employee satisfaction and development.  VA OGC encourages participation in Leadership VA, OGC Leadership Development Program, OGC Advanced Leadership Development Program, Virtual Aspiring Supervisor Program, Senior Executive Service Candidate Program, and other professional programs. The VA is the second largest federal government agency employer and recently, was ranked among the top 5 Best Places to Work in the federal government.

Eligibility:

An applicant’s cover letter and resume must demonstrate that the following criteria are satisfied:

• Highly qualified third-year law students expected to be awarded a J.D. prior to July of 2024.
• Fourth-year students graduating from four-year programs, combination programs, or LL.M. programs immediately after law school from accredited schools.
• Federal or state judicial law clerks with no more than two years of clerkship experience prior to the start date for the Honors Attorney Program.
• Recent law school graduates who entered judicial clerkships, graduate law programs, or qualifying legal fellowships within 9 months of law school graduation.
• Only U.S. citizens and U.S. Nationals are eligible for employment in the Honors Attorney Program.

Selection Criteria:

• Demonstrated academic excellence and legal acumen.
• Top third of law school class.
• Involvement in extra-curricular activities (law school journal, moot court, other bar/law student organizations).
• Internship and/or work experience.
• Commitment to public service.
• Leadership experience.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Individuals hired into a position within one year of graduation from law school are hired at the GS-11 pay grade. Attorneys hired following judicial clerkships may be considered for a GS-12 pay grade position depending on the duration of the clerkship.
• Individuals may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Individuals will receive federal employee benefits including:
  • ​​​​​​​Annual and Sick Leave
  • Federal Employee Health Benefits
  • Federal Employee Life Insurance Program
  • Participation in Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
  • Participation in Thrift Savings Plan
  • Federal Holidays

Application Information:

The application period begins Friday, October 6, 2023, and closes by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, November 10, 2023.

• Applications may be submitted through Simplicity Recruit​​​​​​​ or emailed to OGCHonorsProgram@va.gov. 
• Application materials must be combined as a single PDF. Only Applications with the Following documentation will be considered:

1. ​​​​​​​Cover letter – no more than one page​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.
2. Resume
3. Most recent Juris Doctorate (JD) Law School Transcript, (post JD transcripts should be submitted if cited on your resume)
4. Legal Writing Sample – no less than 5 pages and no more than 10 pages. The writing sample must be substantially the work of the candidate.
5. References – please include phone number and email address for each reference.
   1. No more than three references.
   2. At least one reference should be from a member of the law school staff or a current or former employer or Judge for whom applicant clerked.

• ​​​​​​Selected applicants will be invited for interviews that may take place any time between November of 2023 to January of 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the program or the application process, submit any and all inquiries to OGCHonorsProgram@va.gov​​​​​​​.

Click here for an overview about OGC

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