Legal Internships & Entry-Level Attorney Hiring at DOJ

Everything You Everything You Want to Know Want to Know

About the U.S. About the U.S. Department of Department of

Justice Justice

Spring 2012

The Bottom Line Up FrontThe Bottom Line Up Front

• Why Justice• How We Hire• Who’s Hiring• Who We Hire• What You Should Know• What We Value• What’s Next

Why Justice?Why Justice?

• We’re BIG – with lots of opportunities each year• 1800 law student volunteers• 65 – 90 paid summer interns• 85 – 150 entry-level attorneys• 500+ experienced attorneys

• Perks … Perks … PERKS! • Virtually every legal practice area• Immediate responsibility• Influence change and make a difference

• Incredible training

• Cutting edge legal issues and meaningful work

• Offices nationwide

•• Mentor Mentor ProgramsPrograms

• Balanced work-Balanced work-lifelife

• Virtually every Virtually every legal legal

practice areapractice area

Place Photo Here,Otherwise Delete Box

WHAT WE WHAT WE OFFEROFFER

How We HireHow We Hire

The Four The Four DOJ Hiring DOJ Hiring ProgramsPrograms

Visit www.justice.gov/legalcareers for information on all DOJ hiring programs.

Who’s EligibleWho’s Eligible

There There are are many many career career paths paths to to

JusticeJustice Visit www.justice.gov/legalcareers for information on all DOJ hiring programs.

Who’s Hiring:Who’s Hiring:Anticipated HP ParticipantsAnticipated HP Participants

PERMANENT POSITIONS• Antitrust Division• Civil Division • Criminal Division • Civil Rights Division • Environment & Nat’l Resources Div.• National Security Division• Office of Information and Privacy • Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties• Tax Division• U.S. Trustee Program

TERM POSITIONS• Office of the Solicitor General: 1 year

• Must have federal circuit court of appeals clerkship

PERMANENT USAO POSITIONS• District of Arizona• Central District of California • Southern District of California • Northern District of Illinois • Northern District of Ohio• Western District of Texas

FELLOWSHIPS• Federal Bureau of Prisons: 2-4 years• Criminal Division Asset Forfeiture & Money Laundering Fellowship: 3 years

CLERKSHIPS• Drug Enforcement Administration: 1 year• Executive Office for Immigration Review (Immigration Courts nationwide):

1-2 years

•

Who’s Hiring:Who’s Hiring:Anticipated SLIP ParticipantsAnticipated SLIP Participants

WASHINGTON, D.C.

• Antitrust Division – Washington, D.C. and field offices in major

cities

• Civil Division

• Executive Office for Immigration Review

• Federal Bureau of Prisons

• Office of Information & Privacy

• Tax Division

U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICES

• District of Wyoming

• Southern District of Alabama

• District of Hawaii

• Middle District of Pennsylvania

RESTRICTED ELIGIBLITY POSITIONS

• Office of the Solicitor General

• Office of Legal Counsel

(restricted to 3Ls who have accepted a judicial clerkship following law school graduation only).

Who We HireWho We Hire

Many attorneys and interns have:

• Demonstrated interest in the work• Commitment to public service• Energy and enthusiasm• Strong credentials• Relevant educational or employment backgrounds

Each component has its own mission, culture, and valuesEach component has its own mission, culture, and values

Plus an application package that communicates all of the above!

JUSTICE IS MISSION DRIVEN . . .

What We Value What We Value DIVERSITYDIVERSITY

• The greatest asset of the Justice Department is its dynamic and diverse workforce.

• Justice welcomes applications from all qualified candidates whose backgrounds reflect the Nation’s rich diversity.

• It is our goal to eliminate barriers and make available new opportunities for people with disabilities to contribute to and thrive at the Justice Department.

What We Value What We Value INTEGRITYINTEGRITY

• In the statements on your application …• In your reported employment history …• In your accomplishments …• In stating your class rank, standing, and

GPA … DOJ reserves the right to disqualify any

candidate whose application materials contain false, misleading, or substantially inaccurate information and may report the factual basis for such action to the applicant’s law school for further review.

What You Should KnowWhat You Should KnowStepping Stones to SuccessStepping Stones to Success

Appealing to the hiring officials!

What You Should KnowWhat You Should KnowOnline Application TipsOnline Application Tips

• Provide thoughtful, well-crafted responses to short-answer questions, such as:

•  “Why do you want to work for the Department of Justice and what attracts you to the components you selected?”

• “If you could tell the hiring official one thing about yourself, what would it be?

What You Should KnowWhat You Should KnowOnline Applications Require You To Rank Your ChoicesOnline Applications Require You To Rank Your Choices

What You Should KnowWhat You Should KnowMore Online Application TipsMore Online Application Tips

• Use the “Employment” screens wisely

• Take advantage of the “Additional Information” screen

• Address sticky issues, such as a bad semester, etc.

• Research the hiring offices

• Be interested and interesting

What You Should KnowWhat You Should KnowSecurity and Suitability Security and Suitability

POTENTIAL PROBLEMSPOTENTIAL PROBLEMS• Credit issues• Drug use• Tax issues• Providing false or misleading

information on your pre-employment forms

• Advisory opinions on potential problems available post-offer.

What’s Next?What’s Next?Top TakeawaysTop Takeaways

There are many paths to DOJ including:

• Clerkships• Federal Government• State and Local Government• District Attorney’s Offices• Private Firms• Public Interest Employers • Academic Positions• Legal Fellowships

What’s Next?What’s Next?Top TakeawaysTop Takeaways

• Volunteering pays off

• Effective applications take

effort. Do your research!

• If at first you don’t succeed . . .

Questions?Questions?

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Justice.Thank you for your interest in the Department of Justice.

For more detailed information, visit our website at: www.justice.gov/legalcareers

Updates for the 2012-2013 Honors Program and Summer Law Intern Program will be posted in early summer 2012.