Summary
The Attorney Honors Program is the FCC's primary vehicle for hiring entry-level attorneys. AHP participants serve in a two-year employment and training program designed to introduce them to the field of communications law and policy. The FCC encourages law students in their final year of study, recent law school graduates, and current judicial clerks with superior academic credentials and an interest in public service and communications law to apply. See www.fcc.gov/attorneyhonorsprogram.
Duties
Honors Attorneys gain valuable experience and benefit from a wide variety of learning experiences. Attorneys at the FCC draft decisions in adjudicatory and rule-making matters, work with internal and external constituencies to resolve complex policy issues before the agency, participate in international negotiations, represent the FCC in dealings with other government agencies, Congress and the private sector, and defend FCC decisions in the federal courts. Additionally, Honors Attorneys benefit from a specialized training and career-development curriculum designed specifically for the program. Typically, Honors Attorneys: Conduct legal research, compile facts and background information, search authorities and precedents on points of law, and draft legal documents, reports, and memoranda; Study the record in cases pending before the agency and prepare drafts on the law and facts; Research legal and policy matters involved in special projects, including interpretations of treaties, statutes, and regulations; prepare written authoritative opinions; and prepare responses to inquiries from members of the public concerning communications law, policy, and procedures; and/or Examine formal filings such as applications for licenses or other authorities, petitions and responsive pleadings, formal and informal complaints and inquiries, and various reports and statements required to be filed under the Commission's rules; analyze questions of law and fact, conduct the necessary research, and prepare appropriate documents recommending dispositive action.
Requirements
General Eligibility Requirements. You are eligible to apply during the fall application window for the 2027 Attorney Honors Program if you are a: Current law student who will graduate in the spring or summer of 2027; Graduate law student who will complete your course of study by the summer of 2027; Federal, state, or municipal judicial clerk serving during the 2026-27 judicial term; or Recent law students who graduated in the spring or summer of 2026.
Education
SEE INFORMATION OUTLINED UNDER THE SUBHEADING "QUALIFICATIONS".
How you will be evaluated
All candidates will be considered without regard to political or religious affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap, age, or any other non-merit factor. THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All applicants will be evaluated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. Optional Four Essay Questions At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions. 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position. Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question. HOW YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE EVALUATED Once the announcement has closed, you will received an automated notification stating that your application has been received and is being reviewed for the purposes of determining whether or not the application package meets the required eligibility and qualification criteria. Subject matter experts will review the submitted application package and will determine whether or not candidates meet the required eligibility and qualification criteria. If the subject matter expert determines that candidates meet the qualification criteria, any such candidates will be notified via e-mail confirming that their application will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. If the subject matter expert determines that candidates do not meet the qualification criteria, any such candidates will be notified confirming that their application will not be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You may preview questions for this vacancy.