Honor Law Graduate Program - Legal Intern / Attorney

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

Thrift Savings Plan

Vacation and sick leave

Transit benefits

Federal benefits overview link

Job summary

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) seeks graduates for the Honor Law Graduate Program (HLGP). This two-year, rotational program trains entry-level attorneys across OGC divisions to gain broad exposure to NRC's legal practice.

Participants enjoy federal benefits, including health and life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, generous leave, and transit benefits. Admissions to the Bar are expected within two years; Bar status is not prerequisite to apply.

Qualifications

• Be in the upper 30% of your law school class and/or have a GPA at least 3.25 (4.0 scale).
• Specialized experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, or related fields.
• Admissions to the Bar not required to apply but expected during the first year.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate legal analysis and communicate results orally and in writing.
• Provide an unedited writing sample as part of the application.
• Participate in rotations across OGC divisions to gain broad exposure.

Skills

Legal analysis

Oral communication

Written communication

Education

J.D. degree

LL.M degree

Bar admission expected within 2 years

Job description

Each year, the NRC selects a small number of graduating law students or judicial law clerks to serve in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC's) Honor Law Graduate Program (HLGP). Established in 1972, the HLGP is the primary mechanism for hiring entry level attorneys at the NRC. As an Honor Law Graduate, you will serve in a two-year program consistent of rotational assignments through different OGC divisions in order to gain broad exposure to the diverse legal practice at the NRC.
As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.

In order to qualify for the Honor Law Graduate Program, you must meet the qualification criteria listed below. Please read carefully to determine the grade at which you would qualify based on your education and specialized experience.
GG-11:
1. A third-year law student (3L) at an American Bar Association accredited law school who will earn a J.D degree no later than June 2026-2027 academic year; or
- a graduate of American Bar Association accredited law school who will earn an LL.M. degree no later than June of the 2026-2027 academic year
-or a J.D degree and current judicial law clerk or licensed attorney with less than one year of judicial law clerk or attorney experience within 30 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement and
2. Be in at least the upper (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) and at least a 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. Note: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school's grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

includes educational, academic, or work-related experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, government contracts, fiscal law, information law, administrative law and procedure, or regulatory law.

GG-12:
1. a J.D degree; or
- an LL.M degree and
-a current judicial law clerk or licensed attorney with a minimum of one year or judicial law clerk experience or attorney experience within 30 calendar days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement and
2. Be in at least the upper (30 %) of my law school class and /or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. Note: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school's grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

includes educational, academic, or work-related experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, government contracts, fiscal law, information law, administrative law and procedure, or regulatory law.

Admissions to the Bar is not a prerequisite to applying and being considered for the Honor Law Graduate Program but is expected during the first year of NRC employment. Recent law school graduates who join the NRC before Bar examination results are available will provide evidence of Bar membership as soon as possible after admissions. Selectees who are not admitted to the bar within 2 years may be separated from the NRC.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following:

• experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, government contracts, fiscal law, information law, administrative law and procedure, or regulatory law.
• Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the result of that analysis orally and in writing (evidence of relevant employment and experience or internship, academic achievement, extracurricular law school activities).
• Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis in writing as evidenced by an unedited writing example.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria.

PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.