2027 DOJ Honors Attorney Program

Initial posting date: 08/14/2026 • Application deadline: 09/20/2026 • Agency: Department of Justice • Salary range: $9,063.00-$9,519.00 per month

About the Role

The Oregon Department of Justice is accepting applications for our 2027 Honors Attorney Program. Placement will begin September 2027 following a comprehensive recruitment and evaluation process. Depending on assignment, selected candidates may be located in one of our Salem or Portland offices. Hybrid/remote options may be available for in-state candidates.

The Honors Attorney Program is designed to provide recent law school graduates, who have not yet engaged in the practice of law, the opportunity to gain public law experience. Honors Attorneys will be assigned to work on ongoing cases or client advice, and will have the opportunity to work on some of the most pressing issues facing Oregon. Whether you are interested in complex litigation, criminal law, defending state agency orders in administrative hearings, protecting Oregon's children, or constitutional issues, the Honors Attorney Program enables new attorneys to gain invaluable, hands-on experience in a wide range of legal disciplines alongside more experienced attorneys.

Honors Attorneys serve as Assistant Attorneys General for two years. They typically rotate from one division to another after their first year, enabling them to obtain a breadth of experience in diverse areas of the law and to work with colleagues from different divisions in the office. This is a limited duration position from September 2027 through August 2029. Participants are eligible to apply for permanent positions with the department after completing their first year in the program, but should not expect the Honors program appointment to extend beyond two years.

About the Department

With more than 1,600 dedicated employees, including over 400 exceptional attorneys, the Oregon Department of Justice is the largest law firm in Oregon. Our goal is to be the best public law office in the nation. We are committed to finding, developing, and retaining the finest legal professionals. We offer a challenging, fun, and rewarding work environment with great benefits.

Assistant Attorneys General, acting on behalf of the Attorney General, represent the State of Oregon and officers and agencies of the State in most administrative and civil proceedings, all juvenile dependency proceedings, and many criminal proceedings. The Department offers a broad range of opportunities for attorneys to work on significant and complex issues facing our state, including:

• Protecting children
• Prosecuting crimes
• Defending criminal convictions
• Protecting consumers and older Oregonians
• Protecting natural resources
• Fighting discrimination
• Defending the state and state employees
• Providing legal advice and counsel to state agencies, boards, commissions, and elected officials

Department Values and Impact

At the Oregon Department of Justice, we serve Oregonians by:

• Defending Oregon’s values and essential services by representing state agencies and officials in litigation, challenging federal overreach, and supporting victims and survivors of crime.
• Advising state agencies on legal questions to ensure compliance with the law and safeguard the constitutional rights of all Oregonians.
• Keeping children and communities safe by advocating for the best interests of children in dependency proceedings, defending lawful criminal convictions and sentences, combating internet crimes against children, partnering with local law enforcement to disrupt organized crime networks, and ensuring accountability in cases of public corruption.
• Protecting working families, seniors, and consumers through fighting predatory lending and scams, enforcing data-privacy safeguards, and returning money to Oregonians harmed by unlawful business practices.
• Supporting Oregon families through our Child Support Program, which helps parents secure financial stability for their children by establishing parentage, enforcing child support orders, and ensuring families have the resources they need to thrive.
• Providing efficient support services through investments in a healthy workplace, modernized technology and human resource systems, transparent operations, and long-term planning that ensures DOJ remains a resilient institution for future generations.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of the Oregon Department of Justice. We focus on building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. Every employee contributes to our diversity through varied background, experiences, and perspectives. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• Must be a recent law school graduate—includes those who are serving as judicial clerks. Applicants who have already practiced law are not eligible.
• Must be admitted to the Oregon Bar (or anticipate being admitted shortly after appointment in September 2027) and be eligible to practice law in Oregon courts by or soon after September 2027.

In reviewing applications, the Department considers many factors, including:

• Individual background and perspective
• Commitment to diversity and equity
• Contributions to an inclusive work environment
• Enthusiasm for public service
• Educational achievements
• Class standing
• Written work

Applicants most closely matching the requirements and needs of the Honors Attorney position will be invited to interview. Application materials may also be reviewed and evaluated for presentation, content, clarity, grammar, spelling, and applicable knowledge and skills.

Pay

$9,063.00-$9,519.00 per month

Schedule

This is a limited duration position from September 2027 through August 2029.