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?

You must provide a copy of your official transcript with the law schools 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 the 4th semester (Spring/Fall 2021).  Verification of your academic degree(s) is necessary to determine your qualification or eligibility for this 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.

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 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 2022, you ARE eligible to apply for this 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 in length, summarizing your interest in HUD. (Optional)