Trial Attorney (Camp Lejeune Justice Act Unit)

Offices, Boards and Divisions • Washington, DC

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Justice, Civil Division, Torts Branch, Camp Lejeune Unit seeks a Trial Attorney to defend the United States in litigation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. The Unit handles litigation arising from alleged injuries caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, between 1953 and 1987. The work involves complex, high-stakes, and high-visibility toxic tort cases, with substantial public and Congressional interest. The Unit defends more than 3,800 pending lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and works with the Department of the Navy on more than 409,000 pending administrative claims.

The role provides experience across fact and expert discovery, scientific and medical expert witnesses, coordination with federal agencies, motion practice, oral advocacy, settlement negotiations, trials, and appellate matters. The attorney may also work with the Department of Justice Civil Appellate Section and represent the United States in appellate matters, including CLJA statutory construction issues. The Unit provides litigation training, and attorneys may attend educational programs for federal employees.

The attorney receives general instructions from the Assistant Director and Unit Chief and exercises broad judgment in case preparation, theory development, case presentation, and consultations. The attorney consults with leadership on issues with significant policy, procedural, or case impact. This is an in-person position requiring work at the office five days per week; it is not remote.

Requirements

• J.D. or equivalent degree.
• Must be duly licensed and authorized to practice law under the laws of a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
• For GS-13: at least 1.5 years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• For GS-14: at least 2.5 years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• For GS-15: at least 4 years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Must complete a background investigation, including drug testing; a security clearance may be required depending on assignment and other factors.
• Must satisfy Selective Service registration requirements, as applicable.
• Must serve a two-year trial period as a condition of employment.
• Must work in person five days per week; the position is not remote.
• Academic degrees and coursework must be from an institution accredited or pre-accredited by a recognized accrediting body, or qualifying foreign education must be shown to be comparable to U.S. education.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in toxic tort litigation.
• Expertise in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, eDiscovery, defensive litigation, and defense of important federal laws, regulations, and policies.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for and conduct hearings, settlement negotiations, and trials of complex cases.
• Prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, and other documents based on factual and legal research.
• Participate in pretrial and prehearing conferences.
• Conduct trials and present oral arguments in federal courts, state courts, and administrative proceedings, as appropriate.
• Provide advice to junior trial attorneys.
• Handle appellate litigation as necessary, including certain CLJA appellate matters.
• Review and analyze facts and develop evidence for assigned cases, including difficult and complex matters involving novel or unsettled legal principles.
• Consult with the Chief to identify Department policy in related litigation.
• Apply the government's case theory and legal principles to the facts, select and examine witnesses, and plan trial strategy and techniques.
• Represent the United States and individual clients in direct negotiations and discussions with attorneys for private litigants, as assigned.
• Participate in discussions with opposing counsel and formulate settlements with potentially far-reaching legal consequences.
• Make recommendations concerning proposed legislative changes and advise on legal and policy questions related to statutes administered by the office.
• Consult with the Chief and report on case status and legal issues within the assigned litigation area.
• Maintain contacts and work with Division, Department, and other government officials and employees, as well as the public, on litigation and policy matters.
• Respond to inquiries from the White House, Congress, federal departments and agencies, state and local authorities, and private individuals concerning assigned statutory responsibilities.
• Perform special legal and administrative projects requiring broad experience and sound judgment, as requested.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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