General Attorney (Veterans)

General Counsel • Washington, DC

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The General Attorney works in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), providing legal advice and drafting administrative decisions on complex matters arising under laws administered by VA. The position focuses on VA benefits law and oversight of attorneys, claims agents, and veterans service organizations (VSOs), and may involve constitutional law, administrative law, professional responsibility, and litigation procedure.

The attorney drafts legal documents concerning the accreditation, discipline, and fees of representatives who represent Veterans, and works with the Department of Justice to represent VA before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The role also involves preparing and reviewing proposed legislation, legislative testimony and views, regulations, administrative opinions and decisions, correspondence, and other documents; providing written and oral legal guidance to VA offices; and conducting thorough legal research and analysis to support Department actions.

The position has a Monday–Friday schedule, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Return-to-office mandates apply, and selectees must report in person unless they have an approved exemption. Ad hoc (situational) telework may be available under agency policy; this is not a virtual position. The work is primarily sedentary. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition upon meeting regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion.

Requirements

• Be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state or territory or the District of Columbia, with a current, unrestricted license to practice law.
• Possess four years of progressively responsible experience, which may include up to one year of relevant experience acquired before admission to the bar. Qualifying experience may include legal practice or other responsible legal work such as legal research and analysis, writing legal opinions, interpreting laws and regulations, drafting regulations or orders, and legal work concerning bills or statutory provisions.
• For GS-11 qualification, have one year or less of experience practicing law, or qualify through the Superior Qualification Program.
• For GS-12 qualification, meet an applicable route: possess an LL.M.; possess a JD in a directly pertinent field of law identified as a selective factor; have two years of progressively responsible qualifying experience demonstrating similar work and responsibilities at Type I; or qualify through the Superior Qualification Program. An LL.M. may also substitute for the required experience for this grade.
• For GS-13 qualification, have three years of progressively responsible qualifying experience, with no more than one year acquired before bar admission, demonstrating similar work and responsibilities at Type II.
• For GS-14 qualification, have four years of progressively responsible qualifying experience, with no more than one year acquired before bar admission, demonstrating similar work and responsibilities at Type III and Level of Responsibility D.
• Submit a transcript if relying wholly or partly on education to qualify; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Complete all required application steps, including an online assessment.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding; a probationary period and/or one- or two-year trial period may be required.
• Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; beginning May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards are not acceptable for this purpose.
• Include required employment history details in the resume, including job title, employer, hours per week, dates, duties, and federal grade when applicable.

Responsibilities

• Draft legal documents concerning accreditation, discipline, and fees of representatives who represent Veterans under laws administered by VA and VA benefits.
• Work with the Department of Justice to represent VA before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
• Draft and review proposed legislation, legislative testimony and views, regulations, administrative opinions and decisions, correspondence, and other documents.
• Provide written and oral legal guidance to VA offices.
• Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to support Department actions.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service; newly appointed employees may request credit for qualifying non-federal job-related experience or active-duty uniformed military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed