2025 Honors Fellowship Attorney - Public Protection Division

This position supports both the Bureau of Consumer Protection and the Charitable Trusts & Organizations Section of the Public Protection Division.

Section Description:
Attorneys in the Bureau of Consumer Protection investigate and litigate with companies and individuals that engage in unfair business practices and in cases where a lawsuit by the Attorney General serves the public interest.  BCP obtains restitution for consumers, injunctive relief to prevent future harm, and penalties to deter misconduct.  The Bureau routinely works with other state Attorneys General and federal partners such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
 
The Charitable Trusts and Organizations Section protects the public’s interest in all property committed to charitable purposes.  Among its responsibilities, the Section oversees nonprofit corporations generally, including nonprofit mergers and conversions and acquisitions and may seek to revoke an organization’s franchise and articles whenever it misuses, abuses, or fails to use its powers and privileges correctly.  CT&O litigates against executors, attorneys, and individuals that misappropriate charitable assets.

Position Type:
One-year Fellowship, Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-union.  This position is at-will with no guarantee of employment for any specific term. 

Basic Function:
 The Honors Fellow will be an active part of BCP and CT&O by providing varied legal services and advice on matters of simple and routine to moderate scope and complexity under the supervision of a more senior attorney. The duties of this position involve assisting in investigations and litigation. Investigation and litigation at times is conducted in coordination with other sections within the office, other state attorneys general, and federal authorities. Current large BCP cases include Mariner Finance, Gillece Plumbing, and MV Realty. Illustrative CT&O cases include Steward Health Care, Richard Wells Revocable Trust, and Estate of Carol Stanley. The Honors Fellow may also assist with BCP’s policy and legislative work to protect older Pennsylvanians from criminals that steal hundreds of millions from their bank accounts each year. Work includes but is not limited to: conducting research and analysis, formulating legal theories, drafting legal documents and routine correspondence, advancing civil investigations, and facilitating discovery. The Honors Fellow may also be responsible for overseeing current investigations, coordinating with other states in ongoing litigation and other matters, reviewing amicus briefs and formal comments to federal agencies, and making recommendations.  

• Assists senior attorneys in reviewing documents, interviewing witnesses, and trial preparation;
• Performs enforcement activities including legal review and provides advice and recommendations with respect to the conduct of civil investigations and resulting legal actions;
• Conducts legal research related to potential and pending investigations and litigation; 
• Works with agents and support staff to direct and develop investigations;
• Reviews amicus briefs, agency comments, and other materials;
• Drafts pleadings and other documents related to litigation;
• Participates in multistate working groups and multistate investigations and litigation with a range of issues and often with nationwide implications;
• Prepares, presents, and argues cases before state and federal courts, as necessary;
• Assists senior attorneys with planning, preparing, and presenting factual and expert witness testimony and exhibits, including summary and demonstrative exhibits;
• Communicates with consumers and counsel regarding case-related activities;
• Answers case-related correspondence;
• Understands, participates in, and facilitates e-discovery efforts; and
• Performs additional and related work as required.

Eligibility Requirements:
Law students who are in their final year at an accredited law school and scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2025 are encouraged to apply. Individuals actively participating in clerkships who have not held the title of “Attorney” in any capacity following graduation are also encouraged to apply. This Fellowship begins in September of 2025.

Additional Note:  
An in-person Fellowship at the above-listed location is preferred for the 2025 Honors Fellowship; however, we do offer telework options (currently up to 3 days per week) at the discretion of the Fellow’s supervisor and the needs of the office.