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Honor Law Graduate Program

Uniquely in the Federal Government, the NRC is a point of convergence for far-reaching issues of law, technology, energy policy, environmental concerns, and the role of the public in regulatory processes. The push and pull of conflicting views and varied approaches—from the public, the Congress, the scientific and technical community—frame the issues on which NRC attorneys work every day. NRC's Honor Law Graduate Program offers graduating law students or judicial law clerks an opportunity to join NRC's team of attorneys working on these issues. See also, the Honor Law Graduate Program brochure.

On this page:

How does the program work?
How do I qualify?
What is NRC's selection process?
What salary will I earn??
How do I apply?

How does the program work?

The NRC selects a small number of graduating law students or judicial law clerks to participate in the Honor Law Graduate Program. Participants in the Honor Law Graduate Program serve in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The 2-year program is a prelude to a continuing permanent career as an attorney in OGC. Those selected for the 2-year program work in a probationary status. Once they successfully complete the program, they may continue to work under the guidance of one of the Assistant General Counsels, without having to reapply. To give them broad exposure to the diverse fields of legal practice at NRC, NRC assigns each Honor Law Graduate to three rotations in different divisions of the OGC. Program participants continue their development by participating in training opportunities, in the Washington area and elsewhere, to strengthen their skills in trial and appellate practice, administrative law, and environmental law.

How do I qualify?

Academic qualifications. As a general matter, those students who are in the upper 33 percent of their law school class are considered. This criterion may be waived for applicants with unusual compensating qualifications-for example, other academic degrees or work experience particularly pertinent to NRC's programs or activities. To be considered for the program, an applicant must be:

a third-year law student who will earn a degree no later than June of the academic year of application, or a law student who graduated from law school during the year of application,
a graduate law student in the last year of study, or
a judicial law clerk who will be prepared to report for duty no later than the end of September of the year following application.

An applicant who is a graduate law student or a judicial clerk must have no significant post-J.D. employment preceding graduate study or the clerkship.

Other than academic qualifications, an applicant must:

hold U.S. citizenship;
undergo a background investigation, as do all NRC employees;
know that the NRC is a "zero-tolerance" agency with regard to illegal drug usage
consider that OGC attorneys, and their spouses and minor children, cannot own any stocks, bonds, or other financial interests in certain entities regulated by the NRC or closely associated with activities regulated by the NRC. New employees subject to this restriction have 90 days from the date they are appointed to divest any prohibited securities owned, and the tax consequences of divestiture are deferrable;
consider that admission to the Bar is not a prerequisite but is expected during the first year of NRC employment. A person selected for the program who is not admitted to the Bar within a year of reporting for duty cannot expect to remain at the agency.

What is NRC's selection process?

NRC considers all qualified candidates and bases appointment solely on merit, using a three-step process:

NRC evaluates candidate applications sent directly to the agency or conducts preliminary interviews at selected law schools and job fairs.
NRC invites the most promising applicants to NRC's Headquarters offices in Rockville, Maryland, for interviews in the fall.
NRC selects those who will participate in the program by December 1 of the same year.

What salary will I earn?

Grade and Salary Levels. Federal grade and salary levels are used at NRC; these are directly related to the qualifications and experience the attorney brings to the position being filled. Special salary schedules are in effect for entry-level attorneys. Members of the program will normally start at grade Government Grade (GG)-11, Step 10 . Attorneys who have served as judicial law clerks may enter at a higher grade depending on their prior salary and experience (see tables of pay scales).

Promotions. After one year of satisfactory performance and passing the Bar examination, a member of the program is eligible for a promotion to grade GG-12, Step 6. Thereafter, promotions and assignments are based on the quality of performance and years of employment, with promotions to GG-14 being non-competitive and 15 being competitive.

Other Incentives. A recruitment bonus may be authorized. The NRC may also pay a portion of an employee’s Federally guaranteed student loans as a retention incentive. Such bonuses and loan repayments incur a service obligation.

Periodic Pay Increments; Awards. Periodic pay increments within grades are based on acceptable performance and conduct after specified periods of service. In recognition of outstanding accomplishments, the NRC offers several kinds of monetary awards.

Relocation Expenses. The NRC may be able to reimburse members of the program for such relocation expenses as moving costs.

To learn about retirement, health benefits, work schedules, and other reasons to chose NRC, see our Employee Benefits page.

How do I apply?

NRC accepts applications from July 15 - October 15. Send your cover letter, resume, three references; a copy of your law school transcript (explaining your school's grading system if available); and a sample of your legal writing unedited by anyone else to the address below, or email the information to HONORLAW.Resource@nrc.gov. Applications must be received by October 15.

Honor Law Graduate Program Coordinator
Office of the General Counsel
Mail Stop O-15 D21
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

For more information, see Contact Us about Employment and select "Honor Law" from the dropdown list.