The Federal Communications Commission’s Attorney Honors Program is a two-year employment and training program designed to introduce law school graduates to the field of communications law and policy. On July 23, 2012, the FCC will be accepting applications for the Fall 2013 class from law students in their final year of study and judicial clerks. Applications must be received by September 21, 2012.
Honors Program attorneys will participate in the many varied aspects of federal administrative practice as they relate to the FCC’s oversight of television, radio, cable, wireless, wireline, satellite, and other communications services and facilities. Participants also will benefit from a wide variety of learning experiences. Attorneys at the FCC draft decisions in adjudicatory and rulemaking 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.
All Honors Program participants will work at the FCC’s headquarters in Washington, DC and will be assigned to one of the agency’s bureaus. Specific placements within the agency will be based on the participant’s interests and experience and the needs of the FCC. Participants may have the opportunity to rotate to a new assignment within the agency at the end of their first year. During their two years in the Honors Program, attorneys also will be afforded professional and educational opportunities designed specifically for Program participants. At the end of the two-year program, Honors Program attorneys will be eligible for consideration for continued employment at the FCC.
Selection for the Honors Program is highly competitive. Before making a selection, the FCC reviews many facets of a candidate's background, including academic achievement, writing skills, law review and/or moot court experience, clinic or extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interest in government service and/or the communications industry. Graduating students and judicial clerks with strong qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility for Fall 2013
You are eligible to apply during the fall application window for the 2013 Attorney Honors Program if you are a:
- Current law student who will graduate in December 2012 or the spring or summer of 2013;
- Graduate law student who will complete your course of study by the summer of 2013;
- Federal, state, or municipal judicial clerk serving during the 2012-13 judicial term.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, official and/or unofficial law school transcript, and list of three references via email to Honors.Program@fcc.gov.
Applications must be received by September 21, 2012. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Selected applicants may be invited for interviews. While we prefer interviews to be held at the FCC’s Headquarters in Washington, DC, remote interviews may be available in certain circumstances. We anticipate making offers in November and December 2012. Participants who enter the Fall 2013 class will be expected to begin their employment with the agency by the end of September 2013.
More Information
Questions? Consult the Honors Program FAQ sheet.
Candidates may also direct questions about the Honors Program to Kim Mattos at Honors.Program@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1731.
General information about employment opportunities at the FCC is available at http://www.fcc.gov/work.
Download the Honors Program Brochure.
Watch a Video About the Program here.
