Assistant Section Chief - Natural Resources

Energy & Natural Resources Division; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Energy & Natural Resources Division seeks an Assistant Section Chief in Washington, DC to lead a NEPA-focused litigation team. The role emphasizes leadership, strategic oversight, and courtroom advocacy.

The successful candidate will supervise seven to twelve trial attorneys and direct matters involving federal natural resources, including collaborations with USDA, DHS, DOJ, and USPS. Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities is expected.

Qualifications

• Experienced attorney with a focus on litigation and federal practice.
• Ability to supervise a team of trial attorneys and manage diverse dockets.

Responsibilities

• Supervise seven to twelve trial attorneys on NEPA and natural resources cases.
• Oversee litigation involving USDA, DHS, DOJ, USPS and related matters.
• Lead brief writing and trial practice across active campaigns.

Skills

Brief writing

Trial practice

Team leadership

Litigation management

Job description

Much of our work involves challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Natural Resources Section has a dynamic practice with a diverse docket and attorneys may choose to focus on brief writing, trial practice, or both. On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving:

• Vital federal programs ranging from national energy policy to nuclear materials management to military preparedness;
• The balanced use of federal natural resources for varied uses, including mineral extraction, conservation, preservation, recreation, and commercial uses;
• The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources;
• Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country;
• Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control; and
• The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes.

The Section is soliciting applications from experienced attorneys for the position of Assistant Section Chief for one of its six litigating teams. The Assistant Section Chief will supervise seven to twelve trial attorneys and will manage a team with primary responsibility for National Environmental Policy Act and other natural resource litigation involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Postal Service. The team also litigates Quiet Title Act cases and affirmative trespass matters. The subject areas and matters that the Assistant Section Chief will supervise are subject to change, according to the needs of the Section.