Legal Careers

Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

Would you find it fulfilling to practice law in a public service environment that is professional, collegial, and supportive? Do you want a career that involves diverse responsibilities in multiple areas of the law, and offers opportunities for advancement? If so, the Social Security Administration's OGC may be for you.

Attorneys in the OGC provide comprehensive legal advice and representation supporting the administration of SSA's programs and the development of national policies and procedures. These services are provided in SSA Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland and in our 10 Regional Offices. Click on the link below for "general attorneys" for more information about legal careers with OGC.

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR)

Would you find it fulfilling to work in a professional, public service environment? Do you want a diverse career with opportunities for advancement and your choice of geographic location? If so, our Office of Disability Adjudication and Review may be for you!

Social Security pays benefits to over 40 million people each year. Those who disagree with the Agency’s decisions regarding their claims for benefits may appeal through the ODAR. Our staff attorneys and administrative law judges work nationwide to provide the public with a timely and judicious appeal for Social Security benefits. In our headquarters office, attorney-advisors and attorney-examiners review and act upon the decisions of our administrative law judges.

Opportunities exist for staff attorneys, general attorneys, attorney-advisors, administrative law judges and attorney-examiners. All of our attorneys are in good standing with their State (or equivalent) Bar Association. While our entry-level attorneys begin with admittance to the Bar, our administrative law judges have been practicing attorneys for at least 7 years, of which 2 years were spent preparing and trying cases before courts of original and unlimited jurisdiction.

Our legal professionals enjoy the diversity and challenge of their work. With experience, entry-level attorneys may progress to supervisory positions.

Learn how to apply for a legal position with ODAR.

Learn how to apply for a legal position with OGC.