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    LEGAL CAREERS


       Washington, DC 20219 Announcement No: CC-2005-1
    Opening Date: August 1, 2004
    Closing Date: TBA

    CHIEF COUNSEL'S 2005 EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

    FOR LAW GRADUATES

    NOTE: New Attorney Hiring:  The OCC Law Department has completed its recruiting for attorneys who will start in September and October 2004.  Recruiting will resume in September and October 2004 for attorneys who will start work in 2005.  We will conduct interviews for these positions in September and October 2004, and notify successful candidates in November and December 2004.  

    Experienced Attorney Hiring (for graduates from 2002 or earlier):  Please call the Executive Assistant (202-874-5200) before submitting an application.

    Interns:  The OCC Law Department is no longer soliciting applications for unpaid internships for the summer of 2004 in the Washington, D.C. office. Applicants interested in fall 2004/spring 2005 internships, please see "Internship Positions" under "Appointment, Salary and Promotion" below. 

    Change in District Office locations: The OCC has recently changed its District Office locations.  As of October 1, 2003, the District Offices are located in New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Denver.  Positions for new attorneys may be available in one or more of these offices, although most new positions will continue to be in the OCC’s Washington headquarters.  Applicants for attorney positions should indicate on their application whether they are interested in working in one or more of the District Office locations. 

    WHY BECOME AN ATTORNEY FOR

    THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY?

    WHAT WE DO

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    Attorneys for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) work in one of the most exciting and expansive areas of law developing today: financial services law.  The OCC is regarded as an innovative supervisory agency, requiring a forward-thinking, creative, and intellectually rigorous legal staff.  Attorneys for the OCC:
             

    Develop innovative precedential opinions on contemporary issues (examples: derivatives, new bank products, e.g., bank sales of mutual funds and annuities, expanding bank markets, interstate banking, fair lending, community reinvestment and other consumer issues);

    Enforce compliance with banking requirements by national banks through administrative actions;

    Develop banking regulations and legislation to modernize banking law;

    Handle international banking issues and negotiate international supervisory arrangements;

    Represent the Comptroller in litigation involving any or all of the above.

    WHY WE ARE UNIQUE

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    Practicing law at the OCC is different from most federal agency practice.  Most federal practice is focused on one subject area or one activity.  Bank regulatory practice at the OCC, however, involves all aspects of national bank organization and operations and in this sense is truly a “federal” corporate law practice.  In addition, the OCC is one of the few agencies that litigates its own cases in the federal courts. 

     

    The Gramm-Leach-Bliley financial modernization legislation (1999) has created new opportunities for national banks to enter into affiliations with insurance companies and securities firms and engage in a broad range of new activities. OCC legal practice reflects the evolution occurring in the financial services industry today and is characterized by breadth of subject matter, globalization of financial services, sophistication of clientele, diversity of population affected by OCC regulation, scope of individual responsibility, and the constant opportunity to hone legal skills and gain substantive knowledge in new areas.

     

    OCC legal practice is conducted in small working units with multiple responsibilities.  Rotations and transfers among seven practice groups in Washington and the district offices are possible.  These small groups of select attorneys deliver high-quality legal services to agency policy makers, national banks and their counsel, other regulators, and the public on a day-to-day basis.  The units provide a supportive, cooperative, and productive atmosphere for learning and applying this dynamic area of law.

     

    Because the mission of the agency is to ensure the systemic health of national banks, OCC attorneys maintain a very high professional standard.  Opportunities for further training and education abound.  Employee benefits and working conditions are superior.

     

    OCC provides excellent support services, including an exceptionally fine library, up-to-the-minute computerized research facilities, state-of-the-art computer and word processing support, paralegal/legal technician support, and a variety of other specialized professional and administrative support staff.

     

    THE LAW DEPARTMENT IS PARTICULARLY PROUD OF BEING INCLUDED IN KIMM WALTON’S PUBLICATION AMERICA’S GREATEST PLACES TO WORK WITH A LAW DEGREE.

    Select this sentence for additional information on the organization and work performed by the Chief Counsel’s Office and its District Offices.


    The Program 

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    The Chief Counsel's Employment Program for law school graduates is a program designed to provide valuable, stimulating opportunities for outstanding candidates.  OCC assigns appointees to positions affording both extensive legal experience and substantial individual responsibility.  The Office's training program ensures careful evaluation and supervision of new attorneys’ work.

    The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency relies upon the experience and expertise of its attorneys.  The Chief Counsel's Employment Program emphasizes exposure of new attorneys to as wide a variety of legal questions as possible.

    The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency welcomes candidates interested in a career in government service.  We prefer to hire individuals who expect to work for the Office for at least three or four years. 

     

    Qualifications 

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    The program is open to third-year law student applicants throughout the country who have excelled in their law schoolwork.  In addition, the program is open to attorneys who have graduated from law school within the past two years (2003 or later), including attorneys who are completing judicial clerkship programs. 

    ·

    Interest:  

    A sincere interest in the field of financial services law.
    ·   Class Rank: Top 25% preferred, but not mandatory.
    ·    Relevant Course work: Financial services law, securities law, commercial law, and administrative law.
    ·    Law School Activities: Law Review, clinical programs, moot court.

    · 

    Work Experience/Personal Experience:

    Financial services-related work experience (legal or business), judicial clerkship, other experience reflecting a desire to excel and overcome obstacles.

    ·

     

    Location: 

    Washington, D.C. 
    Positions may also be available in one of the District Offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, or Denver.

    Opportunities for more experienced attorneys are limited.  Before applying, experienced attorneys should call the Executive Assistant at (202) 874-5200 to determine what vacancies are available.

    Selection

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    Competition for available entry-level positions is keen.  Appointees are selected on the basis of merit.  OCC considers the following factors in reviewing an application:  
           

    Law school and undergraduate academic record (including grades and curriculum);

    Participation in law review, publications, and other extracurricular activities (such as moot court or legal aid);

    Work experience;

    Personal experiences that reflect a desire to excel and overcome obstacles; and

    Personal attributes that may contribute to effectiveness as an attorney and member of the Law Department.
     

    Statutory requirements applicable to applicants who are veterans of military service are observed.

    The written qualifications of all applicants are carefully reviewed, and selected applicants are invited to the Law Department's offices in Washington, D.C., for interviews with experienced agency attorneys. Travel reimbursement may be available for interviewees. Initial interviews are also conducted at some law schools.

    Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity

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    The OCC’s Law Department is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace that fully utilizes the many talents of our diverse staff.  By recruiting and retaining the best people from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences, we achieve our objective of providing the highest quality legal services and ensuring the safety and soundness of the national banking system.  Our commitment to diversity starts with our firm belief that the continued success of the OCC and the utility of the legal services we provide depend on the employment of talented people and the full and effective use of their skills.  Recognizing that the demographics of the United States and the world are changing, we benefit from greater diversity and improve both our effectiveness and responsiveness in addressing the cutting edge legal issues with which OCC attorneys regularly deal.

    The OCC’s Law Department is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity to all applicants.  All decisions regarding employment, including selection, promotion, employee development, and salary, are made solely on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability.  We provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities.

    APPOINTMENT, SALARY AND PROMOTION

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    Appointment and Salary - OCC initially appoints law school graduates before bar admission as law clerks for a period not to exceed fourteen months from the date of appointment.  If the employee does not acquire bar membership within fourteen months, the initial appointment is terminated.  Upon being admitted to the bar, an employee is reclassified as an attorney.  Reclassification as an attorney does not involve a promotion or a salary increase.  Salary information is available upon request.

    Promotions- After one year of satisfactory service, an entry-level attorney is eligible for consideration for promotion to the next level.  Thereafter, they are considered along with other attorneys in the regular promotion program of the Office.  All promotions are based on merit, and require at least the prescribed minimum time in each salary level.

    Applications - A complete application should include all of the following:

    ·        Resume.

    ·        Law school transcript (photocopy acceptable), AND CLASS RANK, IF AVAILABLE; Please include an explanation of an unusual grading system.

    ·        Legal writing sample that demonstrates applicant's analytical and writing skills.

    ·        If you are claiming veteran’s preference, provide DD Form 214, Certificate of Separation or Discharge From Active Duty, or other proof of eligibility to claim veteran’s preference. 

    ·        If you are claiming 5 point veteran’s preference, list the dates (month, day, year) and branch of any active duty served.  If claiming 10-point veteran’s preference attach a SF-15, Application for a 10-point Veteran’s Preference, plus the proof required for that form.

    ·        Indicate whether, in addition to the Washington, D.C. office, you might also be interested in working in one of the OCC's District Offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, or Denver.

    Inquiries, comments, and application should be directed to:

                Comptroller of the Currency

                250 E Street, S.W.

                Office of the Chief Counsel

                Attention:  Executive Assistant

                Washington, D.C.  20219          Telephone:  (202) 874-5200                 

    Experienced attorneys who graduated in 2002 or earlier should inquire about vacancies before submitting an application.  Call the Executive Assistant at (202) 874-5200. 

    Accommodation for Disabilities- The Office provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us of your needs.  The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    top

     

    Deadline Date - There is no deadline for filing applications; however, students and graduates should apply by October 5 to be considered for the first round of job offers to be made by early December.

    Character Investigation- All appointments are subject to a character investigation.  Appointment to a critical-sensitive position may require a background investigation.

    Benefits - The OCC has a very comprehensive benefits program.  OCC benefits include:

    Federal Employees Health Benefits for employees, spouses, and children

    Domestic Partner Health Insurance Subsidy for domestic partners

    OCC Group Dental Insurance for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and children

    Vision Coverage for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and children

    OCC Physical Examination Program for employees

    Federal Life Insurance for employees, spouses, and children

    OCC Group Life Insurance for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and children

    OCC Business Travel Accident Program for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and children

    OCC 24-Hour Personal Accident Insurance for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and children

    OCC Voluntary Short-Term Disability Program for employees

    OCC Group Long-Term Disability Program for employees

    Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program for employees, spouses, adult children, parents, parents-in-law, and stepparents

    Workers’ Compensation Program for employees

    FlexFund Program for employees

    Family and Medical Leave for employees and family members

    Life Cycle Account Program for employees

    Employee Assistance Program for employees and household members

    Alternative Work Schedules for employees

    Telework for employees

    Public Transportation Subsidy for employees

    Civil Service and Federal Employee Retirement Programs for employees, spouses, and children

    Thrift Savings Plan for employees

    OCC 401(k) Plan for employees  

    Reporting DatesMost selections for job offers and commitments are expected to be made late in the calendar year.  Selectees will ordinarily report the following Fall.

    Internship Positions- The Law Department is currently accepting applications for unpaid internships in the Washington, D.C. office for fall 2004/spring 2005. Applicants should forward resume, transcript and writing sample to Myrrel Hendricks, Senior Attorney, Law Department, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, S.W., Washington, DC. 20219. Inquiries can be directed to Mr. Hendricks at Myrrel.Hendricks@occ.treas.gov or (202) 874-4460.

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