We’ve previously shared with you the good news that entry-level hiring is up in the legal profession. Law firms are leading the way, especially Biglaw firms, with an uptick in summer associate hiring.
But government is pitching in too. Take the U.S. Department of Justice’s Attorney General’s Honors Program, which is “the largest and most prestigious federal entry-level attorney hiring program of its kind.” For last year’s application cycle, the Program advertised 204 positions. For this year’s application cycle, i.e., the 2015-2016 Honors Program, there appear by our count to be a total of 216 positions, a healthy 6 percent increase (and that’s not counting the three slots for informal participants).
As was the case last year, the opportunities are especially robust for immigration lawyers: 95 out of 216 slots, or 44 percent of the total openings, are with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Donald Trump should be very pleased.
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If you’re interested in applying to the DOJ Honors Program, consider this your annual friendly reminder from Above the Law: the application deadline is SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 (and note that the Labor Day holiday falls during this period, which could affect your ability to obtain transcripts or contact references). For complete application information and the full hiring timeline, see the DOJ website.
As we’ve mentioned before, the DOJ Honors Program isn’t the only opportunity for law school graduates or young lawyers to serve in the federal government. Here are a few other honors programs and their deadlines (click on each department’s or agency’s name for more information):
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: September 9, 2015
- Department of Homeland Security: September 15, 2015
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): September 17, 2015
These are just examples. Feel free to mention other opportunities, including state and local government agencies looking for lawyers, in the comments to this post.
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Good luck to everyone applying to the various federal government honors programs this year. It might not be the best time ever to be in law school, but there’s no denying that things are getting better.
Earlier: Reminder: DOJ (And Other) Honors Program Applications Are Due Soon (2014)
Reminder: DOJ Honors Program Applications Are Due Soon (2013)