Attorney Honor Law Graduate Program - Legal Intern

Background

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked among the best places to work for compensation, work-life balance, and performance for mid-sized agencies in the Federal Government. 

The NRC protects public health and safety and advances the nation’s common defense and security by enabling the safe and secure use and deployment of civilian nuclear energy technologies and radioactive materials through efficient and reliable licensing, oversight, and regulation for the benefit of society and the environment.

Each year, the NRC selects a small number of graduating law students or judicial law clerks to serve in the OGC Honor Law Graduate Program (HLGP). Established in 1972, the HLGP is the primary mechanism for hiring entry-level attorneys at the NRC.

As an Honor Law Graduate, you will serve in a two-year program consisting of rotational assignments through different OGC divisions in order to gain broad exposure to the diverse legal practice at the NRC.

Duties

The Honor Law Graduate Program allows you to collaborate with seasoned attorneys and work independently on a variety of assignments, such as the following:

·       participating in administrative litigation involving activities licensed by the NRC

·       reviewing environmental impact statements with technical staff

·       drafting proposed regulations for new or revised safety standards

·       assisting in the review and litigation of employment law matters, government contract matters, fiscal law and security issues

·       researching and preparing briefs for submission to the Federal courts of appeals

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Honor Law Graduate Program, you must meet the following qualification criteria:
Please read below to determine the grade at which you would qualify based on your education and experience:

GG-11:
1. a third-year law student (3L) at an American Bar Association-accredited law school who will earn a J.D. degree no later than June 2026-2027 academic year; or

a graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school who will earn an LL.M. degree no later than June of the 2026-2027 academic year; or

a J.D degree and current judicial law clerk or licensed attorney with less than one year of judicial law clerk or attorney experience within 30 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement AND

2. Be in at least the upper thirty percent (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. 

Specialized experience includes educational experience, in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law. 

GG-12:
1. a J.D. degree; or

an LL.M. degree; and

a current judicial law clerk or licensed attorney with a minimum of one year of judicial law clerk experience within 30 calendar days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement; AND 

2. Be in at least the upper thirty percent (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. 

Specialized experience includes educational experience, in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law. 
 
Admission to the Bar is not a prerequisite to applying and being considered for the Honor Law Graduate Program but is expected during the first year of NRC employment. Recent law school graduates who join the NRC before bar examination results are available will provide evidence of Bar admission as soon as possible after admission.  Selectees who are not admitted to the Bar will not be promoted to the GG-12 level.  Those not admitted to the Bar within two years may be separated from the NRC.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following:

Experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, labor relations, information law or energy-related regulatory law. 

Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis orally and in writing (evidenced by relevant employment experience or internships, academic achievement, or extracurricular law school activities).

Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis in writing as evidence by an unedited writing sample.

NOTE: A description of how you possess specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria.

Education

You must possess a professional law degree acquired through graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association no later than June of the 2026-2027 academic year.

How to Apply

Visit www.nrc.gov Review the NRC Career Opportunities page, click on “Apply Now” then “Search for New Opportunities” and click on “view a list of current NRC vacancies at USAJOBS.”  Or, click on the apply button/link on this site to be taken to NRC ‘s USAJOBS.gov employment page.  Find the Honor Law Graduate – Legal Intern/Attorney Announcement Number DEST-13037564-26-NT and apply on-line by October 18, 2026.

Note: It is essential for you to view the official Job Opportunity Announcement found on USAJOBS.  It will provide precise information about the qualification requirements and the exact documents to be submitted for you to be evaluated, which will include your resume (not to exceed two pages in length), your transcripts, your responses to all required vacancy questions and any documents related to application eligibilities you may be claiming.

If you are viewing this opportunity after October 18th please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested.