Government attorney honors programs constitute another universe of competitive opportunities for recent law graduates (including clerks) interested in jump-starting a career in public service work. For example, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General's Honors Program places recent law graduates in entry-level positions with various DOJ divisions, while the California Attorney General Honors Program provides an opportunity for recent graduates and young attorneys to serve in the state's Office of the Attorney General for two years. The conditions of and requirements for these positions vary widely depending on the agency, but many have application deadlines in early fall for start dates the following year.
You can find detailed information on these opportunities in the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law Government Honors & Internship Handbook, available on the Government & Public Interest Careers page. If after reviewing this resource you are interested in exploring state or federal government honors programs, consult with the Assistant Dean for Public Interest.
A number of law-related fellowships allow recent graduates (including clerks) to pursue international humanitarian and human rights work. Some of these opportunities are in the United States, while others are overseas. They include organization-based fellowships with U.S.-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that engage in international human rights advocacy. For example, both the Alan R. and Barbara D. Finberg Human Rights Watch Fellowship and the Donald M. and Susan N. Wilson Legal Fellowship at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights bring recent law graduates into their respective organizations for one year. Various U.S. government agencies have international fellowship programs as well, such as the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program, the Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship Program, and the USAID World Learning Democracy Fellows Program. Additionally, various government attorney jobs – such as DOJ Honors Program opportunities - involve the application and practice of international law.
You can find detailed information on these opportunities in the Vanderbilt International Legal Studies Career Guide . If after reviewing this resource you are interested in exploring fellowships in international humanitarian and human rights work, please consult with the faculty of the International Legal Studies Program.
