2027 DOJ Honors Attorney Program

State of Oregon•Portland, OR

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 Oregon Department of Justice Honors Attorneys 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. As an employee of the Oregon Department of Justice, you will work with talented and dedicated attorneys and staff to represent the State of Oregon and its people. Honors Attorneys serve as Assistant Attorneys General for two years. Honors Attorneys 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 they should not expect the Honors program appointment to extend beyond two years.

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Work on ongoing cases or client advice.
Gain experience in a wide range of legal disciplines.
Represent the State of Oregon and its people.
Rotate from one division to another after their first year.
Obtain a breadth of experience in diverse areas of the law.
Work with colleagues from different divisions in the office.
Defend Oregon’s values and essential services by representing state agencies and officials in litigation, challenging federal overreach, and supporting the victims and survivors of crime.
Advise state agencies on legal questions to ensure that they comply with the law and safeguard the constitutional rights of all Oregonians.
Keep 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 so that no one is above the law.
Protect 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.
Support 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.
Provide 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.