Deputy Branch Chief (Litigation Branch)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Deputy Associate General Counsel of the Litigation Branch assists the Associate General Counsel in managing the Branch. Depending on Branch needs, the Deputy may supervise attorneys and staff, manage workflow, and stand in for the Associate General Counsel upon request. The Deputy is also likely to develop areas of subject-matter expertise and perform other functions as needed, including providing direct litigation support to Assistant U.S. Attorneys and DOJ attorneys and handling a caseload. The Litigation Branch supports attorneys in Department of Justice components and U.S. Attorney's Offices on cases filed in the District of Columbia and cases with national effects on Bureau programs and policies. Its work includes constitutional challenges, tort claims, and requests for injunctive relief. The Branch advises Bureau leadership and facility management on litigation matters, analyzes adverse decisions to assess whether appeals are warranted, works with DOJ appellate attorneys and the Solicitor General's Office, and reviews Supreme Court cases to advise on the Bureau's position. It also reviews cases and obtains settlement authority for certain claims nationwide, oversees Federal Tort Claims Act claims, and recovers funds owed to the agency under the Federal Claims Collection Act and Medical Care Recovery Act. The Deputy is expected to respond to internal and external stakeholders and may provide training in various subject areas and settings. Related practice areas include correctional law, constitutional law, and administrative law.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
Active membership in the bar of any jurisdiction.
At least three years of post-J.D. experience.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years, subject to stated exceptions.
Must successfully complete the required pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation, as well as applicable screening requirements.
Must complete Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I locally and satisfactorily complete the mandatory Phase II course at the Staff Training Academy.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in correctional law, constitutional law, or administrative law.
Prior supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Assist the Associate General Counsel in managing the Litigation Branch.
Depending on Branch needs, supervise Litigation Branch attorneys and staff and manage the Branch's workflow.
Stand in for the Associate General Counsel upon request.
Develop areas of subject-matter expertise and perform other functions as needed.
Provide direct litigation support to Assistant U.S. Attorneys and DOJ attorneys and handle a caseload as needed.
Respond to internal and external stakeholders.
Provide training in a variety of subject areas and settings as needed.
Support litigation involving cases filed in the District of Columbia and cases with national impact on Bureau programs and policies.
Advise Bureau leadership and facility management on litigation-related issues.
Analyze adverse decisions against the Bureau to determine whether an appeal is warranted, working with DOJ appellate attorneys and attorneys in the Solicitor General's Office.
Review Supreme Court cases and advise the Solicitor General's Office of the Bureau's position.
Review cases and obtain settlement authority for cases and claims above a specified dollar amount.
Oversee Federal Tort Claims Act claims and recover funds owed to the agency under the Federal Claims Collection Act and Medical Care Recovery Act.