Because of the nature of legal issues connected with communication companies, the FCC sponsors a recruitment program called the Attorney Honors Program. The Federal Communications Commission regulates communication issues concerning radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable broadcasting in all fifty states, Washington D.C. and international communications in the US. Some of these issues address competition, communications law and the introduction of technology innovation. These areas constitute a specialization that requires FCC attorneys to have training and experience. That is why this program was created.
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Profile of the Program
The FCC came into existence in 1934. Within twenty years, the issues of regulating communications in the US became more complex, and attorneys competent to represent the commission became harder to come by. The FCC created the honors opportunity as both a recruitment and as a training tool. Since 1953, it has been recognized as the “premier” entry-level federal attorney recruitment program. Candidates are solicited from hundreds of law schools across the country for the two-year paid federal appointment through the general counsel’s office. Participants help draft decisions on adjudication and policy, participate in international negotiations, work to solve complex issues and represent the FCC in dealing with other agencies. They may appear before Congress or other government entities as well. In addition, they make valuable contacts for their future professional life.
Salary and Benefits
According to the US Justice Department, in addition to training and experience, participants are compensated. Although the salary is at the discretion of the office in which they work, it is generally at the federal employees’ grade scale. Entry-level attorneys begin at a GS11, step one. That salary is $51,298 per year. Those working at a GS13, step one, earn $74, 584. There are also benefits such as insurance and paid leave. Attorneys selected for the program can additionally qualify for a benefit that pays down their student debts.
Who Can Apply
As one might expect, competition for this program is high. There are as few as five openings at any time and as many as 750 people applying for the positions. Applicants may be graduating law students or recent law graduates who started working as a judicial clerk or entered a legal fellowship or legal graduate program within nine months of graduation. They must apply to the program through an online form within the prescribed date limits. Qualifications considered are academic excellence, backgrounds, writing competencies, law or court experience and extracurricular activities. Applicants do not have to be licensed attorneys but must be admitted to the bar within 14 months of being accepted into the honors placement. Applicants may apply even if they are not US citizens as long as they are lawful permanent US residents seeking citizenship, individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status or people such as residents of American Samoa or the Swains Islands who owe allegiance to the US.
Where Employed
All placements for the honors position are out of the FCC headquarters in Washington, DC. The applicant’s interests and experience are considered, but the needs of the agency are a priority. After the first year of placement, participants can apply for new positions. According to the FCC website, at the end of the two years, they can be considered for full-time employment.
The FCC only accepts the “cream-of-the-crop” into the Attorney Honors Program.