Trial Attorney

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration • Washington, DC

21d

About The Position

The Trial Attorney works in the Litigation & Enforcement Division of the Office of Chief Counsel, which handles investigations and litigation relating to motor vehicle safety, defensive litigation, rulemaking, and legal counseling. The role involves enforcing motor vehicle safety and fuel economy laws, addressing potential safety defects and noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and supporting the agency’s other legal and regulatory work.

Attorneys lead investigations into potential violations and seek civil penalties or other sanctions when warranted. They work closely with technical experts on recalls and safety investigations, prepare enforcement-related regulations, and advise on a range of legal issues. They also represent the agency in litigation over rules, regulations, and other agency actions, and in personnel cases before administrative tribunals. The position offers work on diverse, high-profile legal matters in support of the agency’s public-service mission.

Requirements

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Current membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state or territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Relevant professional legal experience: 2 years for Grade 13, 3 years for Grade 14, or 4 years for Grade 15.
• Grade 13: experience conducting legal research and drafting legal analysis to support senior attorneys and managers; drafting routine legal documents, discovery materials, or sections of pleadings and briefs; and assisting with civil litigation, enforcement activities, or investigations under senior counsel’s guidance.
• Grade 14: experience performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving civil-litigation legal issues; and conducting civil litigation.
• Grade 15: experience independently performing legal analysis and composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving unique or difficult civil-litigation issues; briefing clients or senior leadership; and conducting highly complex civil litigation.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility for consideration.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, demonstrate interpersonal and customer/client service skills, show creativity and initiative, and exercise sound legal and practical judgment.
• Knowledge and abilities in oral communication, written communication, legal and government matters, jurisprudence, and problem solving.
• Complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary onboarding requirements.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Travel is required; a government contractor-issued travel card must be retained for official business only.
• Comply with applicable executive-branch ethics standards and financial disclosure requirements where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Represent or assist in representing the agency in investigations and enforcement activities under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
• Represent or assist in litigation concerning rules, regulations, and other agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, Vehicle Safety Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other statutes.
• Represent the agency before administrative tribunals, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Merit Systems Protection Board.
• Lead investigations into potential violations of law and seek civil penalties or other sanctions when warranted.
• Work with technical experts on recalls and investigations of potential motor vehicle safety defects and noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
• Prepare regulations related to enforcement and advise on other legal issues.
• Conduct legal research and draft legal analysis, pleadings, briefs, court documents, discovery materials, and other litigation documents, as applicable to grade level.
• Conduct civil litigation and brief clients or senior leadership on legal issues, as applicable to grade level.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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