Honors Attorney

Overview

Attorneys at the CIA provide advice and counsel on a variety of issues relating to intelligence and national security, as well as on the routine practices of an executive agency deployed worldwide.

Job category

Attorney

Pay plan / grade

GS-11/13

Duties

CIA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) has an exciting, dynamic practice that covers a broad range of legal issues and practice areas, including national security law, fiscal law, employment law, government contracts and procurement, ethics, technology and cyber law, digital privacy, and FISA, among others. Honors Attorneys serve two 18-month rotations in our centralized OGC office, where we provide the core legal advice and counsel for Agency-wide functions. The most competitive candidates will have strong academic credentials, demonstrated excellence in their prior work experience, and show a clear commitment to public service. As an Honors Attorney, you will: Provide legal advice and policy counsel to CIA leadership on complex areas of law affecting the CIA's duties and responsibilities under authorities including the National Security Act, the CIA Act, and Executive Orders. Conduct legal research and analysis on sensitive matters. Deliver training on a variety of laws and policies affecting CIA personnel. Engage with other Intelligence Community elements, federal agencies, and congressional committees. Maintain productive working relationships with other OGC and Agency officers to further CIA's mission. PLEASE NOTE: OGC will accept resumes for Honors Attorney positions from 17-30 August 2026. OGC will not evaluate resumes submitted for the Honors Attorney position outside of that window. Resumes are limited to 1 page in length and must list the applicant's GPA. In addition, all candidates must also submit their current law school transcript when prompted to submit an optional supplemental attachment.

How to apply

This post is for viewing purposes only. To get started, please visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/, where you can read more about this position and express your interest in up to four jobs. Upon expressing your interest, you will be taken to MyLINK, which allows you to submit your resume and job rankings and provide basic information about yourself.

What to expect next

After you express interest for up to four positions on cia.gov/careers, a CIA recruiter may contact you for further discussion if your qualifications meet our needs. See the MyLINK FAQs on our website for more information.

About the agency

We are the Nation's first line of defense, and we have a mission for you. Join us as we leverage the power of information to keep our Nation safe by collecting foreign intelligence, producing objective all-source analysis, conducting covert action at the president's direction, and safeguarding secrets that protect the United States. Our workforce is our strength. CIA is a place that values people with different backgrounds and perspectives. The goal being to create a community that fosters a sense of belonging in a way that enriches officers and empowers them to advance CIA's mission. Read more about life at CIA here: https://www.cia.gov/careers/working-at-cia/

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Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school accredited by the ABA completed by Spring 2027. Must pass the bar within 14 months of their employment start date. Honors Attorney candidates with no work experience prior to law school should have a law school GPA of at least 3.0 for schools on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent on other scales. Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation Desired Qualifications: OGC reviews all candidates for the following competencies: Legal analysis, reasoning, and writing, including the ability to integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions, particularly in compressed timeframes. Interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment. Ability to exercise sound judgment in challenging situations. Ability to navigate changing circumstances. Ability to manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently. Honors Attorneys have less than three years of post-law school experience. Honors Attorneys work under the close supervision of experienced attorneys.

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school accredited by the ABA completed by Spring 2027

Evaluations

For more information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/.

Required documents

For further information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/.

Hiring path

fed-competitive, fed-excepted, public

Security clearance

Sensitive Compartmented Information