U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment & Natural Resources Division Summer Legal Program and Honors Program

We’re emailing you about exciting career and law clerk opportunities with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment & Natural Resources Division (ENRD) for your graduates and students. ENRD is proud to be redoubling our efforts to attract lawyers and law students from around our diverse Nation to a career in public service. ENRD is an especially great fit for attorneys and law students interested in complex civil and criminal litigation in the Federal Courts. Those with an interest in public service and in working on cases involving environmental, public health, natural resource, land management, and American Indian and Tribal issues will also find a welcome home with ENRD.

ENRD is currently recruiting entry-level attorneys through the Department’s prestigious Attorney General’s Honors Attorney Program for 2021 graduates and recent graduates currently serving in qualifying clerkships or fellowships. The Honors Attorney Program has served as a gateway to Department and ENRD careers for many decades. Applications are being accepted now through September 8, 2020. This is also the application period for Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 Law Clerk Program internships, offering virtual and, we expect, in-office placements. And several litigating sections within ENRD are hiring lateral attorneys. We want to emphasize that ENRD is committed to recruitment processes and a work culture that promotes and respects Equal Employment Opportunities.

Eligibility for the Honors Program

Eligibility is generally limited to graduating law students and recent law school graduates who entered judicial clerkships, graduate law programs, or qualifying legal fellowships within 9 months of law school graduation and who meet additional eligibility requirements [see below].

Selection Criteria

Justice takes pride in the fact that we consider the “whole candidate” when making selections for employment. Selections are made based on many elements of a candidate’s background including a demonstrated commitment to government service, academic achievement, leadership, law review or moot court experience, legal aid and clinical experience, past employment, and extracurricular activities that relate to the work of Justice and the relevant component.

Every year the Department hires a significant number of entry-level attorneys through the Honors Program. Selectees represent diverse backgrounds and interests, and come from law schools throughout the country. The Honors Program is centrally managed by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management, but each participating component reviews the applications submitted and makes independent hiring decisions.

How to Apply

Candidates interested in starting their career as an entry-level attorney with Justice must apply through the Attorney General’s Honors Program via an on-line application. For employment in 2021, the application opens on July 31, 2020, and closes on September 8, 2020. We highly recommend that applicants read the application tips and checklist [see below] and assemble requested information before starting the online application [see below]. If you need an accommodation in order to complete the application, please contact Deana Willis at (202) 514-3397 for assistance. For technical assistance in submitting your application, please contact the AVUE Digital Services Help Desk using “Live Chat” or “Concierge Service”

links on the top and right of the application screen (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time).

Key Dates

• July 31: Application Period Opens

• September 8: Application Deadline

• Late September: Interview candidates selected

• Mid-October – early November: Formal Honors Program interview period

• Late November – February: Offers Extended

Important Links

• Eligibility Requirements  https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/honors-program-eligibility

• Application Tips and Checklist  https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/application-tips-and-checklist

• Salaries, Promotions, and Benefits  https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-benefits

• Interviews – All of ENRD’s Honors Program interviews will be conducted virtually. Additional information will be posted when it becomes available. https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/honors-program-interviews

• Online Application https://www.avuedigitalservices.com/casting/aiportal/control/mainmenu?agency=dojoarm