Trial Attorney (National Courts)

Offices, Boards and Divisions•Washington, DC

19d

About The Position

The National Courts Section is one of five sections of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and is one of the Department of Justice’s largest, oldest, and most active litigating sections. It handles complex trial and appellate litigation involving government contracts, constitutional claims, procurement challenges, government pay and personnel suits, veterans’ and other benefits appeals, international trade and tariff matters, and customs fraud enforcement. The Section conducts many trials and hundreds of trial and appellate court arguments each year. Attorneys primarily represent the United States before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Depending on the subject matter, they may also appear in federal district and regional circuit courts and before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. The Section has a national practice, and travel should be expected. The Section seeks litigators to represent the United States in all aspects of first-chair trial and appellate litigation. Attorneys manage their own cases, conduct fact investigations, work with expert witnesses, serve and respond to written discovery, take and defend depositions, draft substantive and procedural briefs, conduct trials, and present oral argument. They also handle appeals before the Federal Circuit, including appeals from the Section’s trial courts and appeals from other forums. Attorneys may handle matters in other federal courts and administrative tribunals, first-chair alternative dispute resolution proceedings and settlement negotiations, and recommend settlements when appropriate. In larger cases, attorneys work as members of trial teams. Attorneys work closely with counsel from federal client agencies whether serving as counsel of record or as part of a trial team. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, hold a J.D. or equivalent, and be active members in good standing of a bar in any U.S. jurisdiction. Minimum post-J.D. legal experience depends on grade: 1.5 years for GS-13, 2.5 years for GS-14, and 4 years for GS-15. Applicants must complete a background investigation, including drug testing, and must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for SCI access depending on assignment and duty location. A two-year trial period may be required. Selected applicants must disclose financial information under DOJ and federal ethics guidelines.

Requirements

J.D. degree or equivalent.
Active membership in good standing of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
U.S. citizenship or nationality.
Minimum post-J.D. legal experience by grade: 1.5 years for GS-13, 2.5 years for GS-14, or 4 years for GS-15.
Complete a background investigation, including drug testing.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information access, depending on organizational assignment and duty location.
Complete a two-year trial period if required.
Disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and federal ethics guidelines.
For male applicants born after December 31, 1959, certify registration with the Selective Service System or exemption, as applicable.
Education must be from an institution accredited or pre-accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education must be shown to be comparable to U.S. accredited education, with supporting documentation and English translations where needed.

Nice To Haves

Excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Good judgment.
Experience in trial work.
Judicial clerkship experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

Represent the United States in first-chair trial and appellate litigation.
Personally manage cases and conduct fact investigations.
Work with expert witnesses.
Serve and respond to written discovery.
Take and defend depositions.
Draft substantive and procedural briefs.
Conduct all aspects of trials and present oral argument in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Handle appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, including appeals from trial courts and other forums.
Occasionally handle matters in federal district and circuit courts and administrative tribunals.
First-chair alternative dispute resolution proceedings and settlement negotiations.
Recommend settlements of litigation when appropriate.
Collaborate as a member of trial teams on larger cases.
Work closely with counsel from federal client agencies.
Travel as required by the Section’s national practice.

Benefits

Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

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