Job Title
Attorney General's Honors Program Participant
Job Responsibilities
Participants in the Attorney General's Honors Program will have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of legal activities, including:
- Enforcing federal and state environmental laws, particularly targeting major environmental polluters and addressing violations related to water and air pollution, hazardous waste, and solid waste rules.
- Participating in multistate legal efforts to either strengthen or combat efforts to limit existing federal environmental protections.
- Rotating through various subject matter areas, such as Antitrust, Civil Rights, Conviction Review, Cyber Crimes, Environmental Justice and Enforcement, Fatal Police Encounters, Firearms Civil Enforcement and Accountability, Human Trafficking, Public Corruption, Reproductive Health Rights, Sexual and Domestic Violence Policy, Prevention, and Enforcement, Social Media Accountability and Data Privacy/Cybersecurity, Solicitor General Fellow, Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance, Violence Suppression and Organized Crime, and Workers’ Rights and Labor Enforcement.
- Working in one or more divisions within the Office, including the Division of Law, Division of Criminal Justice, Division on Civil Rights, Division of Consumer Affairs, and Office of Public Integrity & Accountability.
- Formulating policy and legal strategy, investigating cases, drafting legal pleadings, negotiating with opposing counsel, and arguing in court or before administrative bodies.
- Attending workshops and trainings to develop legal skills and gain exposure to the full range of work performed by the Attorney General’s Office.
- Collaborating with the Attorney General’s Executive Leadership Team on priority programs and policy development.
Education and Experience Information
Eligibility for the Attorney General Honors Program is open to:
- Third-year law students.
- Students in the final year of other graduate law programs (., LLM program).
- Judicial clerks who will complete their clerkship by September 2025, having begun the clerkship immediately following graduation from law school or a fellowship program.
- Individuals who will complete a fellowship by September 2025, which began immediately following graduation from law school or clerkship.
Interested attorneys who do not meet these criteria are encouraged to apply through the regular employment application process.
Salary Information
The starting salary for Honors Program participants depends on their admission status to the New Jersey bar at the start date for employment:
- If admitted to the New Jersey bar at the time of employment, participants start as a Deputy Attorney General with an annual salary of $93,.
- If not admitted to the bar, participants start in a limited-term position as a Law Clerk with an annual salary of $59,494. Once admitted to the New Jersey bar, they are promoted to Deputy Attorney General with an annual salary of $93,.
All participants are entitled to employment benefits, including health and dental insurance. Participants assigned to the Division of Law are entitled to full privileges of union membership.
Application Process
To apply for the Honors Program, applicants must submit an online application by 11:59 . on October 13, 2024, including the following documents:
- Writing sample (no more than 5,000 words) containing the applicant's legal analysis.
- Statement of interest (no more than 1,000 words) explaining the applicant's interest in the Honors Program and how their life experiences inform their interest in public service.
- Current resume.
- Scanned copy of law school transcript (official or unofficial).
- At least two professional references, including at least one law professor or other legal academic.
Applicants must select and rank their preferences for the 16 subject matter areas they wish to be considered for.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee of senior attorneys in the Attorney General’s Office based on factors such as academic achievement, legal writing, research, advocacy skills, interest in public service, and leadership in school or community activities. Selected candidates will be invited to virtual or in-person interviews in Newark or Trenton between October and November 2024. Offers will be extended in January – February 2025, subject to successful completion of a background investigation.
Program participants must:
- Commit to two years of service with the Attorney General’s Office.
- Undergo a background check before beginning employment.
- Become a member of the New Jersey Bar within six months of starting the program.
- Establish New Jersey residency or obtain an exemption as required under the New Jersey First Act within 12 months of starting the program.
The Attorney General’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to inclusive hiring and diversity in its staff. State law prohibits discrimination in hiring or employment on various grounds, including race, creed, color, national origin, sex, and more.
Timeline and Checklist
- August 28, 2024: Application period opens.
- October 13, 2024: Deadline for submitting the online application.
- October 25, 2024: Notification of interview selection.
- October 28 – December 20, 2024: Interview period.
- January 17, 2025: Offers extended.
- September 2025: Start date for employment.
Applicants must complete the online application by 11:59 . on October 24, 2024, including the submission of all required documents and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQs provide information on salary, program continuation, office location, telework policies, rotation opportunities, application preferences, submission process, GPA requirements, interview logistics, application withdrawal procedures, conditional offers, deferral policy, residency requirements, bar exam requirements, bar exam fee reimbursement, citizenship requirements, veterans' preferences, and contact information for further inquiries.
