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State of California Department of Justice
Rob Bonta
Attorney General
Attorney General
The Attorney General's Honors Program is a highly competitive program for recent law school graduates and newly admitted lawyers who are committed to a career in public service. Honors Program attorneys will work with Department experts on important issues involving criminal justice, consumer protection, preserving the environment, maintaining a fair marketplace, policies and programs administered by state agencies, state public officials and constitutional officers, and, above all, preserving the rule of law. They will have the opportunity to draft legal pleadings, gain courtroom experience, and receive on-the-job training, career development programming and mentorship advice from some of the most senior members of the Attorney General’s Office. The 2024 Honors Program class will be located in San Francisco and Sacramento.
Please join members from the California Department of Justice for one or more of our six online events as we discuss our Attorney General’s Honors Program (visit the Application Process page for more information – Applications are now being accepted for Sacramento through JC-399894 (DAG) and JC-399935 (GLA). The deadline to apply for the Honors Program is November 7, 2023). We look forward to discussing the program, the application process, and why it’s an excellent opportunity for third-year law students, recent law school graduates and newly admitted attorneys who are committed to a career in public service. We will also provide information regarding the Solicitor General’s Fellowship and will have staff on hand to answer questions during the webinar. Please click here to view a previously recorded webinar from one of our General Information Sessions.
The Attorney General's Honors Program is open to third-year law students and students in their final year of other graduate law programs (e.g., LL.M. programs) at an accredited law school, newly admitted lawyers in their first year of practice, judicial clerks, and individuals participating in government, academic or public interest fellowships who will complete their clerkships or fellowships in September 2024. Applicants should be California Bar members, or plan to take the July 2024 Bar exam. Failure to pass the California Bar exam within 12 months of employment may result in termination from the program. We encourage all applicants to take the earliest possible California Bar exam. The Attorney General's Honors Program asks for a two-year commitment, beginning in September 2024.
To begin the application process, you will need to fill out a State application (STD 678) and the AG Honors Program Application. You will also need to provide a resume, a writing sample, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and law school transcripts. Please see "Application Checklist" section below for more detailed information.
We recommend that you submit your completed application(s) and all required documents electronically through a CalCareers account at https://www.jobs.ca.gov/. If you choose not to apply electronically, a hard copy application package (postmarked by November 7, 2023) may be submitted by mailing it to:
Department of Justice
Attorney General's Honors Program
Attn: Attorney Hiring Unit
1300 I Street, 7th floor
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by November 7, 2023 in order to be considered. We will not consider late applications. We will not consider incomplete applications or applications submitted by email or fax.
Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be notified regarding interviews in November 2023. Interviews are anticipated to be scheduled in December 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact aghonorsapps@doj.ca.gov.
Please note: If you are applying to both the Honors Program and the Earl Warren Fellowship, a complete application package must be submitted for each program.
Application materials: