Attorney

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Generous paid time off

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, Healthcare Law Group, STAR, seeks a Staff Attorney for the Washington, DC area. The role focuses on drafting and negotiating major research agreements and advising on legal issues across VA’s biomedical and AI-enabled research initiatives.

You will support ethics, HIPAA compliance, human subjects protections, and IP considerations while collaborating with VA stakeholders nationwide. A JD and active bar membership are required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree is required and must be from an accredited law school.
• Active, unrestricted bar membership in a State, Territory, or D.C.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, human subjects protections, data rights, IP, ethics and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience advising on research contracts and biomedical innovation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead drafting, negotiation, and review of complex, multi‑party research agreements (e.g., Collaboration Agreements, Invention Management, MOUs).
• Provide legal support to VA research programs and oversight committees (IRBs, etc.).
• Advise on ethical and legal issues involving AI and healthcare innovation, and support national AI initiatives.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal advice

Regulatory compliance

AI in healthcare

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Staff Attorney – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel (OGC) Healthcare Law Group (HCLG), Specialty Team Advising Research (STAR)

Washington, D.C. | GS‑12/14 (DOE)

The VA Office of General Counsel’s Healthcare Law Group (HCLG) provides legal guidance on national issues affecting the delivery of healthcare to millions of Veterans through one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the United States. Within HCLG, the Specialty Team Advising Research (STAR) supports VA’s cutting‑edge research enterprise; spanning biomedical innovation, clinical trials, artificial intelligence, technology development, and more.

STAR attorneys work closely with VA research offices, VA Nonprofit Corporations, scientists, clinicians, and leadership across the agency to ensure that VA’s research activities advance responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

This is an opportunity to join a mission‑driven legal team shaping the future of healthcare innovation for Veterans nationwide.

About the Role

• Grade Level: GS‑12 to GS‑14 (commensurate with experience)
• Additional Requirements: Position requires filing a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report
• -This role requires an understanding of key research‑related legal concepts, including human subject protections, animal research requirements, data rights and ownership, IP considerations, liability allocation, Federal ethics, HIPAA compliance, and informed consent.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Contract Negotiations

Lead the drafting, negotiation, and review of complex, multi‑party research agreements central to VA’s national research mission. These may include:

• Collaborative Research and Development Agreements
• Donation and Invention Management Agreements
• Memorandums of Understanding

Legal Advice and Assistance

Provide legal support to VA’s extensive research programs, including the Office of Research and Development and its oversight committees (e.g., Institutional Review Boards). Typical subject areas include:

• Protection of human subjects
• Research misconduct and oversight
• Subject injury and adverse events
• Application of research statutes, regulations, and emerging legislation
• Ethical and legal issues involving artificial intelligence and healthcare innovation

You will also advise VA’s National Artificial Intelligence Institute, the Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, and congressionally authorized Nonprofit Research Corporations supporting VA’s research and education mission.

Conditions of Employment

• Successful background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service registration (for males born after 12/31/1959)
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Active, unrestricted membership in the bar of a State, Territory, or D.C.

Why Work at OGC?

• Clear advancement pathways toward GS‑15 and SES leadership roles
• Access to Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities
• Direct engagement with clients and programs impacting Veterans nationwide
• No requirement to purchase professional liability insurance
• Employer qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Thrift Savings Plan (401(k)-equivalent with matching)
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Generous paid time off
• Federal employee benefits and work‑life programs