Read testimony from recent Secretary's Honors Attorney Program participants.
"The DHS Honors Attorney Program gave me invaluable exposure not only to multiple, diverse parts of the DHS legal program, but also to a variety of other federal government partners. During my three rotations, I collaborated on litigation matters with seasoned trial attorneys from all levels of the Department of Justice - from U.S. Attorney's Offices to the Solicitor General's Office; I prosecuted removal proceedings in Immigration Court; and I advised DHS operators on complex issues of immigration law with immediate impact on individuals seeking humanitarian benefits for themselves and immediate relatives. I knew very little about immigration law before starting at DHS. but with unwavering support from veteran attorneys across the agency and the Honors Attorney program coordinators, I've turned it into a career." - Drew
Drew is a 2020-2022 Honors Attorney who rotated through OGC's Legal Counsel Division, ICE, and USCIS. He was permanently hired by USCIS, where he handles litigation matters involving USCIS Asylum Offices and advises the USCIS Office of Policy and Strategy on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
"The DHS Honors Program provides an excellent entryway to a career in federal service in the Department. With DHS's breadth of operational components and headquarters offices, the program offers recent law school graduates an invaluable opportunity to be exposed to widely varying substantive issues and types of legal practice. The program also allows Honors Attorneys to build relationships across components and offices that become critical as cross-cutting issues arise." - Hans
Hans is a 2019-2021 Honors Attorney who rotated through OGC's Regulatory Affairs Law Division, FEMA, and CBP. Hans was permanently hired to TSA's Office of the Chief Counsel, Regulations and Security Standards Division.
"The Honors Attorney Program provided me with a valuable opportunity to learn about the work of the Department, build relationships with attorneys at Headquarters and Component legal offices, explore new areas of law, and develop my legal skills. The lessons I learned, and the relationships built during my time in the Honors Attorney Program continue to serve me well in my current position at OGC." - Jessica
Jessica is a 2019-2021 Honors Attorney who rotated through OGC's Operations and Enforcement Law Division (OELD) and CBP. She was permanently hired by OGC-OELD, where she advises on legal issues involving trade, economic security, and law enforcement.
"The DHS Secretary's Honors Attorney Program has been the professional gift that keeps on giving. During the Program, I had the opportunity to work with the DHS General Counsel and the Department of Justice's Solicitor General's Office on significant litigation arising from all DHS components, including in matters before the Supreme Court; give on-the-ground advice to field officers regarding complex issues of operational law; prepare an array of agreements with international entities; and represent the agency in front of administrative bodies in major class action lawsuits. As a colleague put it recently, I've seen just about every type of law that this Department practices. Importantly, in all of my rotations, I had the opportunity to complete meaningful, substantive work and form invaluable connections within DHS and with interagency partners that continue to aid me in my current practice. I'm always pleased to have the opportunity to pay it forward by continuing to help with the Program, as an interviewer, mentor, and colleague." - Lane
Lane is a 2016-2018 Honors Attorney who rotated through OGC's Legal Counsel Division, USCIS, CBP, and the U.S. Secret Service. She was permanently hired by the U.S. Secret Service, and later worked on national security issues in OGC's Operations and Enforcement Law Division (OELD). She now serves as senior Counsel for the Operations, Engagement, and Risk team at CISA, advising on CISA's national and international partnerships and stakeholder engagements.
"The Honors Attorney program has been a great start to my legal career with the federal government. Rotating to different offices exposed me to different types of legal issues, as well as different styles of advising clients. This program is especially attractive to candidates who do not necessarily have a specific type of law that they intend to practice but are open to a wide variety of areas of law. Even if you may have an idea of what you'd like to practice, your rotations could expose you to an area you hadn't previously considered or could validate your interest in a particular field." - Teresa
Teresa is a 2011-2013 Honors Attorney who rotated through OGC's National Protection Programs Legal Division (now part of CISA), OELD, and CBP. She was permanently hired by CBP Office of the Chief Counsel's Enforcement section, where she serves as agency counsel in litigation, corresponds and negotiates with representatives from foreign governments to implement CBP programs, and provides advice on policies that involve immigration law.
"Overall, I believe the program provided me with a wide perspective on the variety of legal issues facing the Department and, of particular relevance to my current work at OGC, helped me develop the ability to learn quickly and write coherently about completely unfamiliar areas of law." - Brian
Brian is a 2009-2011 Honors Attorney who rotated through OELD, CBP, and ICE. He was permanently hired into OELD, where he handles the DHS Exercise portfolio and prepares large summaries of legal authorities applicable to national incidents such as damaging hurricanes, a significant cyber-attack, or a maritime mass migration event.