Are applicants required to be US citizens?

Yes, based on our hiring authority and OPM guidelines, all applicants must be legal US citizens.

Are unofficial transcripts accepted?

Yes, you can provide an unofficial transcript with your externship application.

How do I apply?

To apply for an externship, please submit the following materials to the application submission email box (legalexternships@hud.gov) as a single PDF document by the designated application deadline:

• Resume
• Law School Transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
• Short Legal Writing Sample (recommended between five and ten pages, double-spaced)
• Cover Letter (optional)

Can I be considered for more than one open externship position?

Yes! If you wish to apply to multiple offices, please send a separate email for each application. As a reminder, per the application process, in the subject line of the email, please use the following structure: Office to which you are applying – Semester/Summer for which you are applying – First initial. Last Name.

Example Email Subject Line:
Subject: Office of Legislation and Regulations – Spring 2023 – J. Doe.

For questions related to the program, you may email legalexternships@hud.gov

Can I receive law school credit for externing?

It depends. You may obtain course credit depending on the requirements of your law school.

Is there an opportunity to receive a stipend for participating in a HUD OGC Externship?

Unfortunately, HUD OGC does not currently offer paid externships, but applicants may be eligible for course credit and work-study funding, depending on the requirements and availability of funds from their law school.

Are applicants required to be US citizens?

Yes, based on our hiring authority and OPM guidelines, all applicants must be legal US citizens.

Are unofficial transcripts accepted?

Yes, you may provide a copy of your unofficial transcript with the law school's grading system explanation attached to be considered for this position. If you are a 3rd year law student, please ensure your transcript includes grades through your 4th semester. Verification of your academic degree(s) is necessary to determine your qualification or eligibility for this position. If selected for a position, you will be required to submit an official transcript for verification purposes before you are hired. However, unofficial transcripts may be submitted during the application phase of the process. Please note that your J.D. or LL.M degree must be conferred before you can begin working.

I have been sworn into a state bar, am I still eligible to apply?

No, this program is for non-attorney, law clerk positions. Once you have been sworn into any bar, you are considered an attorney and ARE NOT eligible to apply for this program.

I am planning on swearing into a state bar between now and the program start date, am I still eligible to apply?

No, you cannot have sworn into a state bar until after your first day of the Legal Honors Program (in late-August or early-September). You cannot have a law license on the first day of the Program.

However, you may take the bar exam and have results delivered before the first day of the Program.

I am a judicial law clerk, am I eligible for this program?

If you are a law school graduate, holding a current judicial law clerk position whose clerkship ends no later than September, and you have NOT been sworn into a state bar, you ARE eligible to apply for this program. Your clerkship must end before the start of the Legal Honors program.

What is the timeline for the application process?

Applications to the Department for the Legal Honors Program must be received through the USAJobs.gov posting (through Career Connector). Requirements and specific instructions will be included in the vacancy announcement. All required documents must be received through the USAJobs.gov website when the application period is announced and by the closing date of the announcement.

How do I apply?

To apply for a Legal Honors position at HUD, the following must be submitted:

1. Application
2. Resume
3. Official law school transcript
   The official transcript must be submitted with law school’s grading system explanation attached.
4. A Legal writing sample of five to ten pages maximum (double-spaced)
5. List of three references (professional or academic)
6. A short cover letter, addressed to the Legal Honors Program, no more than 1 page (single spaced) in length, summarizing your interest in HUD. (Optional)

Are applicants required to be US citizens?

Yes, based on our hiring authority and OPM guidelines, all applicants must be legal US citizens.

Where do I find open positions?

You can find current open positions on the OGC Hiring Page or on USAJobs.gov.

Where do I find entry-level open positions?

The HUD OGC Legal Honors Program is for entry-level legal positions. Please see the HUD OGC Legal Honors website for additional information.

Are there non-attorney positions in HUD OGC?

Yes, the attorneys in OGC are only able to do their work with the support of our highly-qualified and experienced paralegal and legal support staff. OGC offers fulfilling careers and opportunities for paralegals and legal support staff throughout Headquarters, Regional and Field Offices. OGC also includes the Department Enforcement Center (DEC). To learn about the work of the DEC and opportunities to develop your career as an analysis click on the DEC’s website. All current available positions in HUD OGC are available at this link.