Careers
Career Paths at GAO
Attorneys
GAO’s major responsibilities are carried out through its auditing and evaluation of federal programs, functions, and financial operations, and lawyers in GAO’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) play a crucial role in this work. Our attorneys work closely with GAO analysts in reviewing federal programs. Our attorneys also respond to legal questions from congressional committees and agency heads on a variety of unique topics, such as funding impoundment, appropriations, and disbursements.
Other attorney teams
- assist GAO’s criminal investigation group;
- resolve government contract disputes and issue “bid protest” decisions;
- and serve as in-house counsel to GAO management, providing legal services and litigation support.
Entry-level attorneys generally rotate through several teams before being permanently assigned, based on attorney preference and client needs. Summer associates usually rotate through one or two teams and are assigned significant projects subject to the same rigorous review, supervision, and guidance as permanent attorneys. Attorneys receive extensive training and career development opportunities and work on challenging “front-page” issues in a progressive and collegial work environment.
Summer Associate Program Notice
GAO’s Office of General Counsel will not be holding the 2010 summer associate program for second year law students. GAO expects to resume the summer associate program for the summer of 2011. Further announcements regarding the 2011 summer associate program will be made in the spring of 2010.