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Attorney (Honors and Lateral)

Attorneys handle a variety of legal issues, including criminal litigation and counterterrorism. You will interact with U.S. Government agencies, including the White House and National Security Council

  • Full time
  • Starting salary: $72,030 -$170,800*
  • *Higher starting salary possible depending on experience level
  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school, Active bar membership
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About the Job

As an Attorney, you will handle a wide variety of legal issues, including:

  • Civil and criminal litigation
  • Foreign intelligence and counterintelligence activities
  • Counterterrorism
  • Counter narcotics
  • Nonproliferation and arms control
  • Personnel and security matters
  • Contracting
  • Finance and budget matters
  • Tax
  • Immigration
  • International financial transactions
  • Corporate law
  • Copyright and intellectual property
  • Foreign and international law
  • Legislation

You will have the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of U.S. Government agencies, Congress, federal and state courts, plus the private sector and will have regular contact with other Intelligence Community agencies, the White House, the National Security Council, and the Departments of Defense, State, Justice, Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security.

Who You’ll Work With

At the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), we recognize our Nation’s strength comes from the diversity of its people. People from a broad range of backgrounds and viewpoints work at CIA, and our diverse teams are the reason we can keep our country safe.

Read more about diversity and inclusion

What You’ll Get

Our benefits support every aspect of a working professional’s life, including health and wellness, time off, family, finances, and continuing education. Our programs include highly sought-after government health benefits, flexible schedules, sick leave, and childcare. In some cases, we also offer sign-on incentives and cover moving expenses if you relocate.

As a CIA employee, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your work is part of something bigger than yourself. Our work is driven by one mission: to keep our Nation safe. Every day is an opportunity to enhance U.S. national security.

Learn more about working at CIA

Minimum Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active bar membership from any of the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
  • At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale
  • Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

What You’ll Need to Apply

  • Resume
  • Unofficial law school transcripts
  • Three (3) legal references with full names and contact information
  • Legal writing sample
  • A cover letter specifying your qualifications. Please address why you want to work in this role and what differentiates you from other applicants.