Attorney-Advisor (Contract)

HQ USAF and Support Elements • Randolph AFB, TX

1d

About The Position

The Attorney-Advisor provides members of the Secretariat, Air Staff, Assistant Secretary (Acquisition), PEOs, and field-level offices with actionable, candid, and independent legal advice, effective advocacy, and creative problem solving on government procurement law matters, including acquisition planning, source selection, and contract administration.

The position primarily handles trademark law, particularly prosecution, licensing, and branding, and defends Air Force interests in these areas. The attorney represents the Department of the Air Force before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, drafts and negotiates agreements concerning marketing, merchandising, content licensing, and use of Air Force trademarks, and handles trademark enforcement and pre-litigation matters. The attorney may also undertake specialized projects independently, participate in working groups, travel to military installations or other locations, represent the General Counsel's office or Air Force in conferences, and deliver speeches and legal education seminars.

This is a centrally managed acquisition demonstration project position at the NH-04 level, equivalent to GS-14 to GS-15. Appointment requires an ABA-accredited law degree and active, good-standing membership in a qualifying U.S. bar. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. A legal writing sample may be requested before an offer.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Successfully complete a full course of study at an American Bar Association-accredited law school and hold a first professional law degree (LLB or JD).
• At the time of application, provide proof dated within four months of active status and good standing with the bar of the highest court of a U.S. state, commonwealth, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Maintain bar membership in at least one qualifying jurisdiction throughout employment with the Air Force.
• Have more than three years of professional legal experience commensurate with the position's duties and responsibilities.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• File an SF 450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the role and duties of a senior government attorney.
• Have superior knowledge of the Lanham Act and other applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies, especially trademark law concerning marketing, licensing, and branding of government-owned trademarks.
• Have experience preparing and prosecuting trademark applications before the USPTO to obtain registrations and renewals.
• Use research methodologies, including computer-assisted technologies, and gather, analyze, and communicate information involving complex legal issues and theories.
• Understand communication methodologies and staffing processes specific to the legal profession and the Air Force.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, and collaborate and coordinate to foster effective working relationships.
• Occasional overtime may be required.
• Travel by commercial or military air may be required for temporary duty assignments.
• Provide a legal writing sample demonstrating legal analytical skills if requested before receiving an offer.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with FAR- and DFARS-based government contracts and non-FAR-based assistance agreements, such as grants, cooperative agreements, and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements.

Responsibilities

• Provide actionable, candid, independent legal advice and counsel, effective advocacy, and creative problem solving on government procurement law matters, including acquisition planning, source selection, and contract administration.
• Handle matters primarily involving trademark law, with a focus on trademark prosecution, licensing, and branding, while defending Air Force interests.
• Represent the Department of the Air Force before the United States Patent and Trademark Office on trademark matters.
• Draft and negotiate agreements relating to marketing, merchandising, and content licensing involving Air Force trademarks.
• Draft and negotiate trademark license agreements between the Air Force and commercial vendors.
• Assess, investigate, and develop strategies for cease-and-desist letters, domain name proceedings, online marketplace takedowns, TTAB opposition and cancellation proceedings, and other trademark enforcement activities.
• Serve as a trademark subject matter expert for Department of the Air Force pre-litigation enforcement matters.
• Accomplish specialized legal projects, as assigned and without direct supervision, potentially participating in Air Force or inter-Air Force working groups and traveling to military installations or other locations.
• Represent the General Counsel's office and/or the Air Force in conferences with senior representatives of DoD, defense agencies and military departments, other government agencies, and private industry.
• Prepare and present speeches in Air Force operating offices and legal educational seminars.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package.
• PCS may be paid if authorized, subject to applicable requirements.
• Recruitment and/or retention incentives may be used.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree