CFPB Honors Paralegal Program

About the Bureau

The CFPB plays an essential role in safeguarding household financial stability through our mission of ensuring that consumer financial markets are fair, transparent, and competitive. Our enforcement authority is among the CFPB’s most impactful tools—reinforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws and sending a clear message to entities within our authority and the public that the CFPB remains vigilant on behalf of consumers.

Diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences are critical in carrying out our mission because to serve the interests of American consumers, we need to understand their varying perspectives and interests.

The Honors Paralegal Program

The Honors Paralegal Program is designed to engage early career professionals in meaningful public service legal work. We seek a select number of anticipated and recent college graduates to join the CFPB in this full-time, entry-level job that challenges them to use their research, analytical, and organizational skills to stand up for consumers, make sure they are treated fairly in the financial marketplace, and hold financial service providers accountable for their actions. Honors Paralegals will work alongside CFPB attorneys in the Office of Enforcement and support the legal work of the agency, including investigations and litigation.

Honors Paralegals will help to empower American consumers, develop professional skills, gain familiarity with the legal system, and grow their public service network through exposure to many aspects of a mission-driven agency. The Honors Paralegal Program will also provide mentorship and both formal and informal training to enhance skills in analytical thinking, writing, communication, and litigation support. Honors Paralegals will also join a cohort of public service-minded peers they can stay connected to throughout their career journeys.

All Honors Paralegals will be duty stationed at CFPB headquarters in Washington, D.C. Honors Paralegals will be hired at the CN-30 and CN-40 level pay bands, depending upon experience. Qualified applicants at the entry level must have (or anticipate in the Spring) a bachelor’s degree and demonstrated superior academic experience. Honors Paralegals will be appointed to a two-year term position, starting in the Fall. Applicants must apply within two years of completing an undergraduate or more advanced degree. Veterans who are precluded from applying in this timeframe due to a military service obligation, have up to six years from the date they complete their undergraduate degree to apply.

Sample assignments might include:

• Performing research and drafting a memorandum regarding an issue relating to Federal consumer financial law, such as finding legislative history for a particular statutory provision or compiling relevant administrative decisions by the CFPB and other government agencies;
• Reviewing and verifying the citations to legal authority in a brief attorneys have prepared for a case;
• Assisting attorneys with preparing for and conducting interviews with consumers or other potential witnesses;
• Organizing pleadings, motions, correspondence, and other key documents in an investigation or litigation matter; and
• Drafting routine notices, stipulations, and letters, and assisting attorneys with court filings.

Information Sessions

The CFPB will host information sessions about the Honors Paralegal Program and the application process, including a question-and-answer period. Visit the following links to register:

• Wednesday, February 14, 4 – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 20, 5 – 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 27, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Thursday, February 29, 5 – 6 p.m.

For more information, learn more about the CFPB’s job application process or email us at CFPB_ENF_Hiring@cfpb.gov.

To apply:

The CFPB is currently accepting applications through March 1, 2024 for the 2024 Honors Paralegal program. Visit our careers page for required qualifications and application materials and to submit your application.