Honors Legal Fellowship Program in EPA's Office of General Counsel (OGC)
This highly competitive two-year fellowship starts each September. The key objectives are to provide
- Recent law school graduates with the opportunity to practice public sector general or environmental law, and
- OGC with highly-motivated, talented, and diverse entry-level lawyers who are interested in a variety of legal work on cutting-edge administrative and environmental law issues.
The effectiveness of EPA's legal responsibilities depends upon the recruitment and hiring of excellent and diverse legal talent. We recognize the need for attorneys and legal interns of varied backgrounds and skills, and offer an inclusive environment that relies on those diverse perspectives to ensure that we effectively serve the American people.
Students who participate in our programs will experience a new era of outreach and protection for communities historically underrepresented in EPA decision-making. The Agency is building strong working relationships with tribes, communities of color, economically distressed cities and towns, young people and others, but this is just a start. Therefore, we want to recruit the best, the brightest and most diverse candidates ever, and ensure that EPA continues to be a place for people who are talented, smart, and passionate about protecting the environment.
Who Should Apply?
The Honors Legal Fellowship Program is open to highly-qualified applicants with outstanding academic records who
- are graduating law school (the month of May in the year the fellowship begins),
- have completed a judicial clerkship, or
- have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school within the past three years and have at least one year of legal experience.
OGC is seeking applicants with excellent analytical and writing abilities, a strong commitment to public service, effective "people" skills, and an ability to take on significant responsibility.
- Law clerks must be U.S. citizens.
- EPA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this student volunteer appointment will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences.
- Veterans are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Applications must consist of:
- a cover letter/personal statement,
- resume,
- law school transcript,
- writing sample (5 page minimum - 10 page maximum demonstrating analysis of a complex legal issue), and
- references.
All required documents must be submitted for consideration in this fellowship opportunity. Note: We are also requesting applicants to submit a voluntary Demographic Information Form OMB No. 3046-0046 (leave the vacancy announcement number blank) which is used to determine the effectiveness of our outreach efforts.
The application package must be received in the office by February 1st; applications postmarked after the due date will not be considered. Applicants can send their packages to the address below or by email:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of General Counsel
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
WJC North, Room 4315M; Mail Code - 2311A
Angela Perkins, Attorney Recruitment Coordinator (perkins.angela@epa.gov)
Washington, DC 20460
Selected applicants will be invited to Washington, D.C. for interviews at the candidate's expense. Offers will be made in March or April 2016.
Questions?
Contact:
Angela Perkins, Attorney Recruitment Coordinator
Phone: (202) 564-0052
Email: perkins.angela@epa.gov
Benefits
The fellowship positions are full-time, two-year appointments paid at the GS-11 (first year) and GS-12 (second year) levels with no promotion potential beyond the GS-12 level. Benefits that are available include annual and sick leave, health insurance, life insurance, flexible work schedules, family medical leave, Thrift Savings Plan, and transit subsidy. Learn more about benefits at EPA.
EPA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences. Veterans are encouraged to apply.