Law Clerk (Chairman's Attorney Honors Program)

About the role

The Chairman's Attorney Honors Program offers permanent appointments for entry-level attorneys beginning with a two-year developmental program intended to promote careers in the civil service. Many selections will be made nationwide from this announcement. If you have already graduated law school, please see the linked announcement for law school graduates.

What you will do

• The Chairman's Attorney Honors Program is a program that allows students to begin work as Law Clerks after graduation and before passing the bar.
• Upon admission to a state bar association, Law Clerks are eligible to be converted to Attorney positions.
• This program is designed for third year law students and LLB, joint degree JD/graduate students as a means to secure future employment with the SEC.
• If selected, you are assigned to a single Division or Office.
• The Chairman's Attorney Honors Program is a two-year long developmental program.
• It is the responsibility of the Commission to interpret and enforce federal securities laws; issue new rules and amend existing rules; oversee the inspection of securities firms, brokers, investment advisers, and ratings agencies; oversee private regulatory organizations in the securities, accounting, and auditing fields; and coordinate U.S. securities regulation with federal, state, and foreign authorities.
• The Commission is concerned primarily with promoting the disclosure of important market-related information, maintaining fair dealing, and protecting against fraud.
• The following divisions and offices are hiring for the Fall 2027 session of the Chairman's Attorney Honors Program at the SEC at the designated locations only: Division of Enforcement (ENF)- Chicago Regional Office (Chicago) Division of Enforcement (ENF)- Fort Worth Regional Office (Fort Worth) Division of Enforcement (ENF)- Washington, DC (HQ) Division of Examinations (EXAMS)- FINRA and Securities Industry Oversight (FSIO) - Washington, DC (HQ) Division of Examinations (EXAMS)- Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) - Washington, DC (HQ) Division of Examinations (EXAMS)- Office of Clearance and Settlement (OCS) - Washington, DC (HQ), New York, NY, and Chicago, IL Division of Investment Management (IM) - Washington, DC (HQ) Division of Trading and Markets (TM) - Washington, DC (HQ) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) - Washington, DC (HQ) Office of International Affairs (OIA) - Washington, DC (HQ) Information can be found by clicking the division/office name above.
• Typical duties can include: Actual duties will depend on placement within the Commission Division of Enforcement (ENF) Investigating potential violations of the federal securities laws Gathering and analyzing evidence supporting potential Commission enforcement actions Conducting legal research and writing Division of Examinations (EXAMS) Working as a member of a team with other staff members engaged in conducting examinations; responding to trends in the market; identifying areas of the market that merit special attention; and developing new inspection/examination procedures and processes; Conducting research, reviews and analysis of a variety of documents related to compliance; conducting reviews of customer trading and securities holdings; reviewing firm marketing; and developing recommendations to resolve problems in assigned areas of specialization; Preparing reports, correspondence, memoranda and other documents summarizing reviews, research and analysis related to registered entities' compliance with the federal securities laws Division of Investment Management (IM) Investigating possible violations of the federal securities laws Conducting related legal research and writing Providing guidance to companies on SEC rules and forms Working on matters related to the equity, options, security-based swaps, and fixed income markets Reviewing disclosure filings for compliance with federal securities laws Division of Trading and Markets (TM) Reviewing the market and credit risk models used by ANC broker-dealers, OTCDDs and SBSDs Administering Exchange Act rules applicable to brokers and dealers of securities and their dealings with investors and other market participants Linked and coordinated facilities and financial market infrastructure for clearance and settlement of a wide range of securities transactions and products Office of the General Counsel (OGC) Providing authoritative legal advice and assistance, both orally and in writing, to other attorneys and specialists across the Commission, including analysis of complex legal issues with broad policy implications.
• Reviewing and analyzing proposals for rules and regulations drafted by the Commission's divisions and offices.
• Preparing a variety of written documents to convey information and analysis, including legal memoranda.
• Also conveying information and analysis orally through briefings, consultations, and other presentations.
• Office of International Affairs (OIA) Investigating possible violations of the federal securities laws Conducting related legal research and writing Providing guidance to companies on SEC rules and forms Working with a rulemaking team or rule filings submitted by self-regulatory organizations Working on matters related to the equity, options, security-based swaps, and fixed income markets

Education

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course.

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. For more information, click here.

Applicants may also find the following helpful: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.

Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) is an association of 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and an enforced code of ethics.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. The application questionnaire will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link *** If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the occupational questionnaire.

Your resume must support your responses to the occupational questionnaire. After review of your application materials, if you are determined to be minimally qualified, you will be referred to the selecting official.

If invited to interview, you will be evaluated on the following competencies: Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example. technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Documents you must provide

• Your responses to the Eligibility Questionnaire.
• Required: Resume - To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the specialized experience related to this position within your two-page resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.
• Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2.
• Your resume should highlight the competencies required for the position and include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s) and include specific employment dates (month and year and start and ends dates) and differentiate between full-time and part-time work.
• To help ensure the resume review fully credits your relevant experience, we recommend clearly referencing the competency and specialized experience demonstrated in each position or example you include in your resume.
• If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
• Candidates external to the SEC will be allowed to submit a comprehensive resume for pay setting purposes after a tentative offer is made.
• If the applicant fails to provide the comprehensive resume by the specified deadline, the resume submitted at the time of application will be used to determine pay.
• No additional documentation will be accepted after the deadline.
• Note: your resume must NOT contain pictures.
• For external candidates: Information on how your resume will be used for pay setting purposes can be found here.
• If you are a current SEC employee selected for this position, the standard percentage increases will be applied (i.e., 6% for non-supervisory and 10% for supervisory positions) if your selection results in a promotion.
• If your selection results in lateral movement (i.e. no change in grade) you will maintain your current salary.
• If your selection results in a change in grade from an SK-15 to an SK-16 you will maintain your current salary.
• Provide a cover letter that includes information you wish to express to the selecting official that is outside of what is included in your resume.
• The cover letter can simply be addressed to "Dear Hiring Committee".
• Required: An unofficial law school transcript.
• (Note: If you are selected for this position, an official transcript will be required).
• Required: Legal writing sample, no longer than 10-pages.
• Required, if applicable: Veteran's documentation (DD-214, member 4 copy or other documentation containing dates of service and character of discharge.) Required, if applicable: Copy of your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).
• Required, if applicable: CTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.)

What to expect next

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.

You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at *** and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application.

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be terminated after you begin work, or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will be required to submit official documentation before appointment.

The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, Veterans' Preference, certification of disability, etc.). Candidates external to the SEC will be allowed to submit a comprehensive resume for pay setting purposes after a tentative offer is made.

If the applicant fails to provide the comprehensive resume by the specified deadline, the resume submitted at the time of application will be used to determine pay. No additional documentation will be accepted after the deadline.

Additional information

If you would like to learn more about the Chairman's Attorney Honor Program, please register for one of our upcoming information sessions.

Information Session Links: Wednesday, November 18, 2026; 1:30-3:30 PM ET; Register Here Wednesday, December 2, 2026; 11:00-1:00 PM ET; Register Here Promotion Potential: Promotion potential to the SK-14 grade level, upon conversion to an Attorney position after a state bar admission. SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location.

The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range. The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please click here for a compensation overview.

Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, click here. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is available to individuals who have special priority selection rights under this plan.

Individuals must be minimally qualified for this position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP eligibles will be considered minimally qualified if they meet the minimum requirements for this position.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the SEC application process due to a medical disability, please contact ***. For religious-based accommodations, please contact *** .

Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.

USA Hire Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: For more information, please click here.

The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant.

An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Legal and Policy Office in the Office of Human Resources at ***.