Legal Jobs in the Federal Government
In the federal government, many agencies employ individuals who work in law fields.
Job Profiles
Here are examples of recent job openings in Law. Explore more and apply now at USAJOBS.
Legal Assistant (Case Technician)
- Salary Range: $28,725 - $46,569 per year
- Duty Locations: Columbus Metro area, OH
- Job Description: The Legal Assistant reviews and analyzes a wide variety of medical and legal documentation, records and evidence to ensure that case files are received and developed in accordance with regulations; perform a wide range of actions in support of pre- and post-hearing case development. Prepares draft material and correspondence from tape recordings or handwritten material in final format after review.
General Attorney
- Salary Range: $28,725 - $74,628 per year
- Duty Locations: Syracuse, NY
- Job Description: Come make a difference in the lives of our nation's veterans with an employer that cares about you and your career! The General Attorney investigates and adjudicates claims filed pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act; reviews of selected contracts, leases and licenses; reviews applicable confidentiality statuses and provides legal advice and opinions on administrative and legal matters.
Staff Law Clerk
- Salary Range: $61,667 per year
- Duty Locations: Chicago Metro area, IL
- Job Description: Combine the intellectual rigor of a chambers clerkship with the benefits of working closely with all the judges of the Seventh Circuit, one of the most highly respected appeals courts in the country, on all phases of appellate litigation. Like traditional chambers clerks, the staff law clerks at the Seventh Circuit perform legal research, prepare bench memoranda and draft merits opinions on a broad spectrum of federal cases subject to oral argument at the Court.
Internship examples
For outstanding first- and second-year law students at the Office of the General Counsel, the Department of Commerce’s Summer Legal Internships offer the opportunity to work on a wide range of legal issues under the supervision of senior attorneys.
The Federal Trade Commission’s summer program is for students who have completed one or more years of law school. Seeking students with an extraordinary level of commitment to enforcing antitrust and consumer protection laws, summer legal positions may be volunteer internships, internships for academic credit or paid internships.
To find specifics, go to each agency’s Web site and search for “Summer Legal Internships.” An A-Z list of agencies is available at http://www.usa.gov.
Search for internships at:
makingthedifference.org/federalinternships
Federal Jobs by the Numbers
Number of Law and Law-Related Positions by Field
Field |
# of Positions |
|---|---|
General Attorney |
33,829 |
Contact Representative |
29,952 |
Veterans' Claims Examining |
11,505 |
Legal Assistance |
8,279 |
Paralegal Specialist |
7,028 |
Claims Assistance and Examining |
4,145 |
Legal Instruments Examining |
1,969 | Administrative Law Judge |
1,308 |
Source: Fedscope 03/10
Percentage of Law Positions by Region
Fedscope, 03/10
Top Agencies for Legal Professions
Department/Agency |
# of Positions |
|---|---|
Social Security Administration |
25,774 |
Department of Treasury |
20,389 |
Department of Veterans Affairs |
17,189 |
Department of Justice |
16,842 |
Department of Defense |
3,235 |
Department of Homeland Security |
2,236 |
Department of Labor |
1,824 |
Department of State |
1,713 |
Securities and Exchange Commission |
1,540 |
Department of Commerce |
1,286 |
Department of Health and Human Services |
1,258 |
Department of the Interior |
1,177 |