Legal Careers

Practicing law at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) involves all aspects of national bank organization and operations. OCC legal practice is characterized by breadth of subject matter, globalization of financial services, sophistication of clientele, diversity of population affected by agency regulation, scope of individual responsibility, and the constant opportunity to hone legal skills and gain substantive knowledge in new areas.

Experienced attorneys and other law professionals can find OCC Law Department current openings through our USAJobs.gov search page.

Entry-level attorneys must apply through the Chief Counsel’s Employment Program for Law School Graduates. [Accepting applications for entry-level attorneys]

Internships are offered each year for law school students.

More About the Law Department

As an innovative supervisory agency, the OCC requires a forward-thinking, creative, and intellectually rigorous legal staff. Attorneys for the OCC:

• Develop innovative precedential opinions on contemporary issues in the financial services industry
• Enforce national bank compliance through administrative actions
• Develop banking regulations and legislation to modernize banking law
• Handle international banking issues and negotiate international supervisory arrangements.
• Represent the Comptroller in litigation involving any or all of the above

Bank regulatory practice at the OCC involves all aspects of national bank organization and operations, and in this sense is truly a "federal" corporate law practice. In addition, the OCC is one of the few agencies that litigates its own cases in the federal courts.

OCC legal practice reflects the evolution occurring in the financial services industry today and is characterized by breadth of subject matter, globalization of financial services, sophistication of clientele, diversity of population affected by OCC regulation, scope of individual responsibility, and the constant opportunity to hone legal skills and gain substantive knowledge in new areas.

Why We are Unique

OCC legal practice is conducted in small working units with multiple responsibilities. Rotations and transfers among seven practice groups in Washington and the district offices are possible. These small groups of select attorneys deliver daily high-quality legal services to agency policy makers, national banks and their counsel, other regulators, and the public. The units provide a supportive, cooperative, and productive atmosphere for learning and applying this dynamic area of law.

Because the mission of the agency is to ensure the systemic health of national banks, OCC attorneys maintain a very high professional standard. Opportunities for further training and education abound. Employee benefits and working conditions are superior.

OCC provides excellent support services, including an exceptionally fine library, up-to-the-minute computerized research facilities, state-of-the-art computer and word processing support, paralegal/legal technician support, and a variety of other specialized professional and administrative support staff.

The Law Department is particularly proud of being included in Kimm Walton’s publication, America’s Greatest Places to Work with a Law Degree.

Benefits

The OCC provides one of the best benefits programs in government. Although part of the federal government, the OCC has a more flexible salary and benefits program than most other government offices. Many benefits are paid for by the agency, at no cost to employees, while others are generously subsidized.

Related Links

• Entry-Level Attorney Careers
• Legal Internships