Entry-Level Attorney Careers – Accepting Applications

The Chief Counsel's Employment Program

The Chief Counsel's Employment Program is designed to provide valuable, stimulating opportunities for outstanding candidates. OCC assigns appointees to positions affording both extensive legal experience and substantial individual responsibility.

The training program also ensures careful evaluation and supervision of the appointees’ work. The OCC prefers to hire individuals who expect to work for the agency for at least 3-4 years.

Program Qualifications

The Chief Counsel’s Employment Program is open to third-year law student applicants throughout the country who have excelled in their law school work, as well as recent law school graduates who are completing judicial clerkship programs. Competition for available entry-level positions is keen. OCC considers the following factors in reviewing an application:

• Law school and undergraduate academic record, with relevant coursework in financial services, securities, commercial, and/or administrative law
• Top 25-percent class ranking (preferred, but not mandatory)
• Relevant course work, such as financial services law, securities law, commercial law, and administrative law
• Financial services-related work experience (legal, business, judicial clerkship)
• Financial services-related work experience (legal or business)
• Personal experiences that reflect a desire to excel and overcome obstacles
• A sincere interest in the field of financial services law

(Experienced attorneys can find OCC Law Department current openings through our USAJobs.gov search page.)

How to Apply

A complete application should include all of the following:

• Resume
• Law school transcript (photocopy acceptable) and class rank (if available)
• Explanation of any unusual grading system
• Legal writing sample that demonstrates your analytical and writing skills
• Indication of where you prefer to work (OCC’s Washington, D.C., headquarters or a district office in New York, Chicago, Dallas, or Denver)

If you claim veteran’s preference, you must submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Separation or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof of eligibility to claim veteran's preference:

• For 5-point veteran's preference, include the branch and month, day, and year of active duty served.
• For 10-point veteran's preference, submit “SF-15, Application for a 10-Point Veteran's Preference,” plus the proof required for that form.

Deadline Date – Applications are due September 16, 2011. Because of time constraints, we cannot guarantee that any application filed after that date will be considered.

Character Investigation - All appointments are subject to a character investigation. Appointment to a critical-sensitive position may require a background investigation as well.

All application materials should be e-mailed to newattyhiring@occ.treas.gov.

Please e-mail questions regarding entry-level attorney careers at the OCC to attyhiringquestions@occ.treas.gov.

The written qualifications of all applicants are carefully reviewed, and selected applicants are invited to the Law Department's offices in Washington, D.C., for interviews with experienced agency attorneys. Travel reimbursement may be available for interviewees. Initial interviews are also conducted at some law schools.

Program Appointment and Salary

Reporting Dates - Most selections for job offers and commitments are expected to be made late in the calendar year. Selectees will ordinarily report the following fall. There is usually some flexibility in determining the specific date.

Successful candidates serve as clerks pending bar membership. The OCC reclassifies clerks acquiring bar membership as attorneys (this is not a promotion and does not involve a salary increase) and terminates the appointments of candidates who do not acquire bar membership in 14 months.

Salary for incoming 2011 attorneys will be in the range of $105,000 for Washington headquarters positions. Salaries in the various district office locations may be different because of geographic differentials that apply to those offices. The OCC also offers incoming attorneys up to $2,500 for a bar review course and $2,500 for relocation expenses when an applicant is required to move 50 miles or more for their work location. Additional salary information is available upon request.

Benefits

The OCC provides one of the best benefits programs in government. Although part of the federal government, the OCC has a more flexible salary and benefits program than most other government offices. Many benefits are paid for by the agency, at no cost to employees, while others are generously subsidized.

Related Link

• Legal Careers
• Legal Internships