Step into a career as an attorney at VA with the Honors Attorney Program

If you’re a prospective law school graduate looking to take the first step into public service as an attorney, VA has an incredible opportunity for you.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is currently seeking applicants for its Honors Attorney Program, which aims to bring upcoming law school graduates to work at VA in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Litigation Group (CALG).

This program offers you a unique opportunity to start your legal career in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment addressing Veteran benefits and appellate litigation.

The position

You’ll initially join CALG as an honors attorney. After being admitted to a state bar association, you will be eligible for conversion to a permanent general attorney position.

Our attorneys are responsible for researching case law; interpreting statutes and regulations; drafting and filing appellate briefs, motions, and other legal pleadings; negotiating with parties and their representatives; and presenting oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), a federal appellate court.

This position is permanent, full-time, located in Washington, D.C., and requires a two-year commitment to work at VA.

An attorney hired within one year of graduation from law school will be hired at the GS-11 pay grade, starting at $78,592. Honors attorneys hired following judicial clerkships may be considered for a GS-12 pay grade, depending on the duration of the clerkship.

Eligibility

The Honors Attorney Program is highly competitive and considers factors such as:

• Academic achievement
• Law review and other publication work
• Extracurricular activities such as moot court competitions and clinics
• Employment history
• Demonstrated intellectual and analytical abilities
• Writing skills
• Oral advocacy
• An interest in public service

Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens who are graduating law students, or recent law school graduates who entered judicial clerkships, graduate law programs or qualifying legal fellowships within nine months of their law school graduation.

Highly qualified third-year law students who are expected to be awarded a J.D. prior to July of this year (or fourth-year students graduating from four-year programs, combination programs, or LL.M. programs immediately after law school from accredited schools) are eligible to apply.

Federal or state judicial law clerks with no more than two years of clerkship experience prior to the start date for the program are also encouraged to apply.

How to apply

As this program is highly competitive, the application process is different from typical positions at VA. You application materials must include:

• A cover letter (no more than one page)
• Your resume (no more than one page)
• Your law school transcript
• A writing sample (no less than five pages and no more than 10 pages)
• Your professional references

Submit your application via email to Trevor Falnes, national talent acquisition consultant, at trevor.falnes@va.gov. The subject line should include “Honors Attorney Program.”

The application window closes on March 10, 2023. Selected applicants will be invited for virtual interviews in February and March, and offers will be extended on a rolling basis from February through April.

Work at VA

If you’re looking for a great start to your career as an attorney, consider a position supporting VA and the Veterans we serve.

• LEARN more about the Office of General Counsel.
• SEND your application to Trevor Falnes.
• EXPLORE the benefits of a VA career at VACareers.VA.gov.