3L & 2L Opportunities with the DOJ Division of Environment and Natural Resources
POST GRADUATE JOBS FOR THE CLASS OF 2018:
U.S. Department of Justice , ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION, HONORS PROGRAM (*Please note that they consdider the “whole candidate,” not just grades*).
Many distinguished attorneys began their careers through the Attorney General’s Honors Program — the largest and most prestigious federal entry-level attorney hiring program of its kind. ENRD is an enthusiastic participant in the Attorney General’s Honors Program.
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 2018, the application opens on July 31, 2017, and closes on September 5, 2017. 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 Help Desk via Live Chat at the top right of the screen within the AVUE Platform (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time).
Key Dates
• July 31: Application Period Opens
• September 5: Application Deadline
• Late September: Interview candidates selected
• Mid-October – early November: Main Honors Program interview period
• Late November – February: Offers Extended
Important Links
• Eligibility Requirements
https://www.justice.gov/legal-ca…/honors-program-eligibility
• Application Tips and Checklist
https://www.justice.gov/lega…/application-tips-and-checklist
• Salaries, Promotions, and Benefits
https://www.justice.gov/…/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-…
• Interviews
https://www.justice.gov/legal-car…/honors-program-interviews
• Online Application
https://www.avuedigitalservices.com/…/aip…/control/mainmenu…
Applications for the Honors Program 2017-2018 will open on July 31, 2017 and close on September 5, 2017.
SUMMER 2018 CLERKSHIPS for 2Ls:
The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice litigates in five key areas: pollution, lands and natural resources, wildlife, Indian resources, and land acquisition. Attorneys represent many federal agencies by preparing and arguing civil and criminal enforcement cases, appeals, and by defending challenged federal agency actions arising from well over 100 federal environmental laws. Cases are at the cutting edge of environmental and natural resources practice. The Division’s work protects our environment for future generations.
We offer opportunities for internships in our offices in Washington, DC; Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Sacramento, CA; Boston, MA; and Seattle, WA.
Numbers of positions vary according to location and semester.
ENRD Recruiting Brochure On-screen reading version and printable version are available at www.justice.gov/enrd/internships.
Projected No. of Volunteers:
50 – Available positions vary according to semester and location.
Assignments:
Assignments will vary. In general, interns assist the Division’s trial lawyers in preparing cases for filing and supporting the litigation effort post-filing, and assist the Division’s appellate lawyers in researching issues on appeal. Responsibilities typically include conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, discovery, and memoranda of law dealing with a variety of federal environmental and natural resource issues. The Division handles cases covering a broad spectrum of issues including the listing of endangered species and civil and criminal enforcement of federal pollution control laws. An internship provides an outstanding opportunity to work on cutting edge issues of environmental law. For more information about the nine litigating sections of ENRD, please review the ENRD recruiting brochure above.
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation; pro bono hours available from Memphis Law); transit reimbursement available.
Minimum Weeks Required: Summer – 8 weeks (full summer strongly preferred). School year – complete semester or quarter, according to individual law school requirements.
Qualifications: First-year (second-semester), second-year and third-year law students are eligible to apply. Joint degree and LL M students are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements set forth below. First-year, first-semester law students may apply after December 1st for internships the following summer. The Department follows the National Association of Law Placement guidelines that prohibit employer contact with first-year (first-semester) students regarding summer employment prior to that date. Law students may work in volunteer positions only while attending law school. Law school graduation terminates eligibility, except for graduate law students enrolled at least half time and who are not practicing law. ENRD prefers students with strong academic qualifications, research and writing skills, and those who have an interest in litigation, environmental law, and/or public interest law. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and successfully complete a security clearance prior to appointment. Applicants must have been residents of the United States for 3 of the previous 5 years prior to applying, with exceptions made for active duty military and Foreign Service employees.
To Apply:
Washington, DC:
Beginning in 2014, ENRD has streamlined its application process for Washington, DC internship applications.
Information on Spring, Summer, and Fall volunteer internship opportunities in Washington, D.C. are posted at www.justice.gov/enrd/internships and are advertised through the Symplicity job posting service (available in most law school placement offices)
Questions about this program may be directed to recruitment.enrd@usdoj.gov.
Washington, D.C. Application Deadlines: Fall: Applications for
Fall semester are accepted from March 1st – April 22nd of the same year. Spring: Applications for Spring semester are accepted from August 1st – September 25th of the year prior (i.e., for Spring 2018, applications will be accepted from August 1st – September 25th of 2017)
Summer: Applications for Summer are accepted from 2Ls from August 1st – September 7th of the year prior (i.e., for Summer 2018, applications will be accepted from August 1st – September 7th of 2017) and December 1st – January 5th ((i.e., for Summer 2018, applications will be accepted from December 1st, 2017 – January 5th, 2018). 1Ls may apply only during the December 1st – January 5th period.
During those dates, you may also apply for a volunteer legal internship in Washington, DC by submitting via email to applyintern.enrd@usdoj.gov the following materials:
• Section application form (posted at www.justice.gov/enrd/internships)
• Cover letter stating hours/days available to work;
• Resume (which includes your country of citizenship);
• Writing sample;
• Copy of your most recent transcript (official or unofficial);
• Three references with contact information, including telephone and email (letters of recommendation not required); and
• Specify the year and term (i.e., Summer 2017) that you’re applying for in your application and in the subject line of your application email. You must apply separately for each term.
Positions will be filled on a rolling basis.
Field Office:
Advertisements for currently available field office positions are posted at www.justice.gov/enrd/internships.
Decisions regarding field office internships are made on a rolling basis.
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Candidates must successfully complete a security clearance prior to appointment
** FURTHER INFORMATION ON BOTH THESE OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE FOUND IN THE CSO OFFICE of by emailing cfmcafee@memphis.edu***
