Federal Honors Attorney Programs: SEC, IRS, OCC, FINRA Forum

Post by **TLS** » Tue Oct 27, 2026 7:39 am

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Non-DOJ Honors Attorney Programs: SEC, FTC, IRS, OCC, FINRA and FEMA

Short answer: Outside DOJ, agencies run their own honors programs for 3Ls and judicial clerks, each with separate rules and dates (OPM Federal Career Guide, March 2026). Most open in late summer and close in early fall (OPM). Several are open to clerks finishing a clerkship, including the SEC, FTC and FINRA programs (SEC) (FTC) (FINRA). Several also count as eligibility-preserving activities for DOJ Honors (DOJ).

Fast facts

SEC: two-year program; U.S. citizens; 3.0 GPA minimum; 2027 dates listed as TBD (SEC).
IRS Chief Counsel: start summer or fall 2027; three-year commitment; GS-11 step 8 for J.D. hires (IRS).
OCC: one-year program in D.C., starting pay about $131,000 to $159,000 (OCC).
FTC: two-year term, one year in each bureau; not accepting applications now (FTC).
FINRA: two-year rotational Enforcement program at any FINRA location (FINRA).
FEMA: on hold (FEMA).

Program by program

SEC Chair's Attorney Honors Program: 3Ls start as Law Clerks and convert to attorney after bar admission; clerks start after the clerkship. Postings appear on USAJOBS as Law Clerk or Attorney-Adviser (Chair's Attorney Honors Program), so set an alert (SEC). Offices are in D.C. and 10 other cities (SEC).
IRS Office of Chief Counsel: For 3Ls, graduating tax LL.M. students and clerks graduating Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027. You need top 25% or a 3.35 GPA (LSAT 160 if no rank or GPA), an ABA school and U.S. citizenship. LL.M. hires generally start at GS-12 step 4 (IRS). Announcements post by early or mid-August; apply on USAJOBS with a resume, transcript and 5 to 10 page writing sample (IRS).
OCC Honors Attorney Program: Rotations across Chicago, Dallas, Denver and New York. Top 25% preferred but not required; bar prep and bar dues paid (OCC). Open status for 2027: n.a..
FTC Honors Attorney Program: Competition and consumer protection rotations for new graduates and clerks; permanent placement possible after two years (FTC).
FINRA Enforcement Honors Program: For recent graduates and attorneys finishing clerkships; rotations through Enforcement Legal, Investigations and the Office of Counsel (FINRA). Pay: n.a..
FEMA Honors Attorney Program: When active, a two-year term at IC-11/12 (GS-11/12 equivalent), applications opening the August before graduation (FEMA).

How to apply

Build a list in the summer before 3L and set USAJOBS alerts (OPM).
Tailor a federal-style resume with dates, hours and duties.
Apply to DOJ Honors at the same time; the DOJ Honors guide has the dates.
If you are clerking, check whether the program takes clerks and when you would start (SEC).

Pay context

See the AD vs GS pay guide for 2026 GS rates by locality (OPM).

Discuss on TLS

FAQ

Q: Which non-DOJ honors programs take clerks?
SEC, FTC and FINRA say so directly (SEC) (FTC) (FINRA); IRS takes judicial clerks too (IRS).

Q: Does the SEC program have a GPA cutoff?
Yes, a 3.0 minimum (SEC).

Q: What does IRS Chief Counsel pay new hires?
Generally GS-11 step 8 for J.D. hires and GS-12 step 4 for LL.M. hires (IRS).

Related guides

Last verified: September 26, 2026, against the official agency, court and program pages linked in this guide (older or secondary sources are labeled). Hiring status changes often, so confirm on the court or chambers page before you apply. Spot an error? Reply in the linked discussion thread or PM a moderator.