DOJ Honors Program 2020-2021 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Also EOIR OCIJ here. Has anyone heard well anything since completing eqip? I mean either in terms of a start date or background check. Not sure why, but this really is keeping me up at night.

[Anonymous User]

Also EOIR OCIJ here. Has anyone heard well anything since completing eqip? I mean either in terms of a start date or background check. Not sure why, but this really is keeping me up at night.

I don’t blame you! If they can withdraw for no reason, it’s pretty terrifying...

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any movement on the background check/know if we are expected to hear anything? I know the two federal judges for whom I have worked were contacted shortly after I submitted my materials, but I have not heard anything else.

[Anonymous User]

I had my FBI interview and then a bunch of activity with employers, friends, and neighbors being contacted. Then silence for a month ongoing. Apparently no news is good news.

I wonder if they're not permitted to grant clearance until fingerprinting and drug testing which are still suspended. In that case, we might be at a bottleneck until that gets started again.

Anyone have any movement on the background check/know if we are expected to hear anything? I know the two federal judges for whom I have worked were contacted shortly after I submitted my materials, but I have not heard anything else.

[Anonymous User]

I had my FBI interview and then a bunch of activity with employers, friends, and neighbors being contacted. Then silence for a month ongoing. Apparently no news is good news.

I wonder if they're not permitted to grant clearance until fingerprinting and drug testing which are still suspended. In that case, we might be at a bottleneck until that gets started again.

Anyone have any movement on the background check/know if we are expected to hear anything? I know the two federal judges for whom I have worked were contacted shortly after I submitted my materials, but I have not heard anything else.

Oh, I hadn't heard that stuff was suspended. Thanks! My start date has been confimed with HR, so I guess that means I'm still okay so far.

[Anonymous User]

What component are you two? I wonder how much it varies. I submitted my eqip in January (along with physical fingerprints) and AFAIK no one has been contacted. No drug test or FBI interview. Also asking because some components require an actual clearance (SF 86) while others are public trust (SF 85p).

[Anonymous User]

I have heard that having a Dist Ct and COA clerkship along with good LS resume makes a candidate a shoe-in for DOJ honors. Is this true?

Also, I am wondering whether a third clerkship at COA level would tip the scales or make de minimus difference.

Thanks for replies.

[Anonymous User]

I don’t know that it makes you a shoe-in (no one ever is), but it certainly makes you a strong candidate. Another factor is to what extent your experience matches up with the mission of whatever components you apply to (or how well you can argue that it does). For instance, if you want the civil division, I’d imagine the standard biglaw SA is good, but if you want civil rights you’ll need some civil rights-focused experience to be competitive. I don’t think that another COA would make any difference at all.

[Anonymous User]

What are the benefits to the Honors program. I’m particularly interested in criminal (whether main DOJ or a component). What are the marketability benefits. Is it a booster for prof jobs, other big law? Etc. or does it primarily only benefit government options?

[Anonymous User]

So, does anyone have a start date yet?

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, Tax has given us a start date.

So, does anyone have a start date yet?