Market Abuse Unit Attorney

Securities and Exchange Commission • Los Angeles, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Enforcement, Market Abuse Unit (MAU) is seeking a General Attorney (Market Abuse Unit Attorney). As a Market Abuse Unit Attorney, you will investigate and prosecute matters involving large-scale abusive market practices by institutions, market professionals, and other individuals that harm or threaten the fair and efficient operation of securities markets.

Requirements

• You must be a US citizen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation.
• Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
• This position may be subjected to drug testing requirements.
• Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• You will be required to serve a two-year trial period (one year for preference eligible veterans) if the position to which you have applied is not the same or similar to your current position of record.
• You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree and you must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
• Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
• Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.
• Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector.
• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).
• Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
• You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• J.D. or LL.B. degree
• Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty.
• SK-13: Applicant must have at least two years post J.D. identifying legal issues, conducting legal research, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as contracts, dispositions, pleadings, and motions, which also includes at least one year : Analyzing legal and/or factual issues, or conducting significant investigations or litigation; AND Applying knowledge of federal securities laws.
• SK-14: Applicant must have at least three years post J.D. independently identifying legal issues, conducting legal research, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as contracts, dispositions, pleadings, and motions, which also includes at least two years : Applying Federal securities laws, rules and regulations; AND Conducting investigations, civil cases or administrative proceedings; AND Applying knowledge of the securities market.
• Competency 1: Legal Analysis: Utilizes expert legal knowledge to apply relevant law to the facts of each case.
• Competency 2: Development and Use of Record: Strategically collects, analyzes, and organizes an evidentiary record.
• Competency 3: Critical Thinking: Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case.
• Competency 4: Case Management: Manages cases efficiently using best practices.
• You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.
• Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course.
• If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent by the closing date of the announcement.
• Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Internal Applicants: OHR will verify education qualifications for internal applicants using documents in the Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF).
• If required transcripts or certificates are not present in your eOPF, you will be required to provide them to OHR.
• If selected, a start date will not be established until official transcripts are received.
• If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

• For information on disability appointments, click here .
• For religious-based accommodations, please contact [email protected] .
• Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.
• For more information, please click here .
• The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant.
• An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Legal and Policy Office in the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] .

Responsibilities

• Conducting complex SEC investigations involving potential violations of the federal securities laws, including but not limited to market manipulation, insider trading, front-running, cherry picking, and hack-to-trade schemes as well as potential violations by critical market-related entities such as broker dealers, exchanges, and alternative trading systems.
• Managing multiple complex investigations simultaneously, setting priorities, and developing innovative strategies to collect and analyze evidence.
• Developing investigative plans and adjusting such plans as appropriate during the course of an investigation.
• Drafting subpoenas and other requests for evidence, questioning witnesses through interviews, proffers, testimony or depositions.
• Preparing high-quality work product demonstrating command of the investigative record and the federal securities laws, including using sound judgment to evaluate evidence and make well-supported recommendations.
• Collaborating effectively with other SEC Enforcement staff, other SEC Divisions and Offices, the Commission, other regulatory bodies, criminal prosecutors, as well as communicating with courts, opposing counsel, and private industry representatives.
• Helping to represent the Commission in federal court litigation and administrative proceedings, including by drafting complaints, correspondence, and motions and participating in discovery.
• Working with MAU Specialists and others with the agency to generate new investigative leads including through analysis of securities trading data and other resources.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits .
• Review our benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level