What is the starting salary?

The starting salary for Honors Program participants depends on whether you are admitted to the New Jersey bar at the start date for employment. If you already admitted on your state date, you will start as a Deputy Attorney General at an annual salary of $82,527. If not yet admitted to the bar, you will be hired into a limited term position as a Law Clerk at an annual salary of $59,484. Once admitted to the bar, you will be promoted to DAG at an annual salary of $82,527.

May I continue working at the Attorney General’s Office at the conclusion of the two-year program?

Honors Programs participants must commit to two years with the Attorney General’s Office, but are encouraged to continue their public service at the conclusion of the program.

What city will I be working in?*

Your office location will depend on your practice area. The office locations are as follows:

• Civil rights, Newark
  
• Consumer financial protection, Newark
  
• Conviction review, Trenton or northern New Jersey
  
• Data privacy & cybersecurity, Newark         
  
• Environment, Trenton
  
• Gun safety & gun violence, Newark and Trenton
  
• Public integrity & public corruption, Trenton or northern New Jersey
  
• Workers’ rights & labor enforcement, Newark
  
• Solicitor Fellow, Newark or Trenton

*Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, individuals may be required to telework rather than report to work in an office environment.

Can I rotate between practice areas?

Yes. We expect that participants will devote most of their two-year commitment to a specific practice area, but upon request, participants will have the opportunity to do a rotation in another practice area or work with the Attorney General’s executive leadership team.

I am only interested in being considered for positions in some of the listed subject areas (e.g., civil rights, environmental). Is that okay?

Yes. On the online application, applicants are asked to rank their preferences for the eight subject areas: civil rights; consumer financial protection; conviction review & innocence claims; data privacy & cybersecurity; environment; gun safety & gun violence; public integrity & corruption; and workers’ rights & labor enforcement. Applicants also have the option of applying for the Solicitor Fellow, which was launched for the 2021 Honors Program. Applicants may select as many or as few subject areas as they like; if they select more than one, they should rank their preferences in the online application. Applicants interested in the Solicitor Fellow may add that to their ranked choices or may choose to apply only for that position. Applicants will only be considered for the subject areas that they rank.

How do I submit my application package?

Submit your online application here. 

We will gladly assist applicants who are unable to complete an application online or who are in need of an accommodation during the application process. If you need assistance, please email honors.program@njoag.gov.

How will I know that my application was received?

You will receive an email confirming receipt. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact honors.program@njoag.gov.

Is there a GPA requirement?

No, although the selection committee will consider academic and intellectual ability in reviewing applications. 

How and when will interviews be conducted?* Will I be reimbursed for travel expenses?

If you are selected for an interview, you will be invited to an in-person interview in Newark or Trenton. Although the office is unable pay for travel expenses, telephonic or video conference interviews are available in cases where travel poses a particular hardship.

*Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be required to conduct virtual or teleconference rather than in-person interviews.

What if I accept a judicial clerkship after I have submitted my application?

Please email honors.program@njoag.gov to withdraw your application. We hope you consider re-applying when the clerkship ends.

What if I accept another position or change my mind about applying?

Please email honors.program@njoag.gov to withdraw your application.

Why will I be given a conditional offer of employment if I am selected?

If you are selected for the Honors Program, you will receive a conditional offer of employment. Your acceptance into the Honors Program is contingent upon successfully completing a background investigation.

If I am selected, can I defer for a year?

No. If you are still eligible in the next hiring cycle, we encourage you to apply again.

Do I need to live in New Jersey?

Under the New Jersey First Act, new public employees must establish residency in the State of New Jersey within one year of starting employment or obtain an exception. N.J.S.A. 52:14-7. Exemptions to the residency requirement may be granted based on a proven “critical need or hardship.” To learn more about the Act and the exemption process, visit www.nj.gov/labor/lwdhome/njfirst/NJFirst.html

Do I have to take the New Jersey bar exam?

Applicants must be members of the New Jersey bar or sit for the 2021 Bar exam. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, information about the 2021 Bar exam is not yet available, and will be provided as soon as it is available. Please note that New Jersey has adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is also used by 21 other jurisdictions. Applicants who take the UBE earn a portable score that can be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions, including New York and Washington, D.C., for a set period of time for the purpose of applying for admission in those other jurisdictions.

I’m taking the July 2021 bar exam and won’t get my results until November. Will I still be able to do legal work in the first few months of the program?

You will be able to work on substantive legal projects under the supervision of another attorney while you are awaiting your results. You will not be able to sign briefs or appear in court until you are admitted and promoted to Deputy Attorney General. Participants who do not pass the Bar exam may be terminated from the program.

Will I be reimbursed for bar exam fees?

No. The program does not cover bar exam fees or the cost of any bar exam preparation courses.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

No, although applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Do veterans preferences or any other hiring preferences apply?

Please visit: www.nj.gov/military/veterans/civil-service-preference

I still have questions. Whom should I contact?

First, please check with your career services office. If they are not able to resolve your question, please email honors.program@njoag.gov.