2024-2025 Honors Attorney Program (BigFed, Non-DOJ) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is there any chance the Trump EO on freezing hiring affects incoming honors hires? I accepted a TJO but have not heard much since then.

Same boat. Frankly, this entire process is absurd.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any chance the Trump EO on freezing hiring affects incoming honors hires? I accepted a TJO but have not heard much since then.

Yes. TJOs can be rescinded. FJO are safe because the freeze is for new positions only, and if you have a FJO your positions is not "new" anymore and is filled by you. Sorry it's not great news.

[Anonymous User]

I just found out that my FDIC offer was rescinded due to the hiring freeze. I am heartbroken and at a loss of what to do next.

[Anonymous User]

The EO explicitly excepts Schedule A hires, which include attorneys and law clerk trainees.

But I also saw someone post a screenshot of a USAJobs rescission email for the FDIC on reddit. Terrified. Nothing for me yet.

[Anonymous User]

Received TJO late November 2024. 1/21/25 Offer rescinded due to hiring freeze. I'm very sad and disappointed right now, and I am not sure of the next steps.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any chance the Trump EO on freezing hiring affects incoming honors hires? I accepted a TJO but have not heard much since then.

A classmate had their IRS OCC offer rescinded.

[Anonymous User]

Just got my offer from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency rescinded. Very unfortunate, it was really the job I've been targeting for years and I'm not sure what I'll do next (especially since I have a clerkship wrapping up in two months).

I'm guessing many others are in the same boat right now, and if so, my heart goes out to you. Does anyone have any thoughts about what you'll do next?

[Anonymous User]

OCC (comptroller) rescinded

[Anonymous User]

FDIC Offer = rescinded

[Anonymous User]

Heard from classmates that offers were rescinded from DOJ and IRS OCC

[SecondArbiter]

OCC (comptroller) rescinded

Same here, we were almost coworkers lol.

For anyone involved in the current bloodbath, what are you planning to do next? I'm currently in a clerkship wrapping up in two months, and I still have absolutely zero interest in taking a BigLaw job. I'm seriously considering what the legal profession even offers me at this point.

[Anonymous User]

OCC Comptroller Treasury revoked. does anyone know what they are planning on doing now? where are people looking for jobs? where do we even start?

[Anonymous User]

OCC Comptroller Treasury revoked. does anyone know what they are planning on doing now? where are people looking for jobs? where do we even start?

Same, and I am wondering whether I should try to clerk again, but maybe it's foolish to try to keep my sights set on a federal honors attorney job at this point. Did anyone get info about whether the positions may be reinstated?

[Anonymous User]

OCC Comptroller Treasury revoked. does anyone know what they are planning on doing now? where are people looking for jobs? where do we even start?

Same, and I am wondering whether I should try to clerk again, but maybe it's foolish to try to keep my sights set on a federal honors attorney job at this point. Did anyone get info about whether the positions may be reinstated?

This is what I got from my agency verbatim: "As for reconsideration, it is too early to say until further information is received. More information will be provided as received."

I think it's best if we just give up on Honors jobs, as painful as it is. They will simply not be the same for the duration of this Administration.

[Anonymous User]

The EO explicitly excepts Schedule A hires, which include attorneys and law clerk trainees.

But I also saw someone post a screenshot of a USAJobs rescission email for the FDIC on reddit. Terrified. Nothing for me yet.

I’m sure this is moot by now and you’ve got the bad news already (I’m sorry!), but just for future reference: Schedule A is a means for hiring qualified individuals with disabilities, it’s not tied to specific job functions.

I think the issue is that 5 CFR 213.3102 describes the executive civil service, which includes attorneys (5 CFR 213.3102(d)) and law clerk trainees (5 CFR 213.3102(e)). But Schedule A is at 5 CFR 213.3102(u) (Appointment of persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities).

[Anonymous User]

Corps of Engineers. Is anyone else still holding out hope for interviews/offers? I had one interview a few months ago for an office but did not get the position and now I am patiently waiting for another opportunity to interview. I know in the email, it said they have hired 9 people already, but in my notes I wrote down they hired 29 last year and 24 the year before. So I’m unsure if previous years were anomalies or this year is low because of the new administration. I’m hoping it was low due to uncertainty and now more offices will start interviewing knowing their program is unaffected by the freezes.

[Anonymous User]

Corps of Engineers. Is anyone else still holding out hope for interviews/offers? I had one interview a few months ago for an office but did not get the position and now I am patiently waiting for another opportunity to interview. I know in the email, it said they have hired 9 people already, but in my notes I wrote down they hired 29 last year and 24 the year before. So I’m unsure if previous years were anomalies or this year is low because of the new administration. I’m hoping it was low due to uncertainty and now more offices will start interviewing knowing their program is unaffected by the freezes.

Honors class of 2023 who is doing the interviews this year: my office did 2 interviews mid-January. When I was going through this process, people were getting interview requests in March and May. However, I encourage you to start looking elsewhere anyway.