Attorney Adviser

U.S. Department of Commerce; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Petitions within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, seeks a highly qualified attorney to join a team that handles petitions, examiner actions, and the Director's authority.

The position emphasizes rigorous legal analysis and the ability to draft decisions affecting patent processes. Qualified candidates must meet professional legal experience standards, including three years post-J.D.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in analyzing patent files, legal matters, or case files to identify misconduct.
• Experience investigating suspected fraud or misrepresentation in patent processes.
• Applying regulations and guidance to identify appropriate legal actions in response to patent process safeguards.
• Drafting proposed final decisions by reviewing case files.

Job description

Imagine your career working alongside leaders in patent policy and examination. The Office of Petitions supports the USPTO's Patents Business Unit by evaluating petitions, addressing matters arising from examiner actions, and preparing decisions involving the Director's statutory and supervisory authority. Join our collaborative and skilled team to help shape petitions practice, promote patent quality, and advance the USPTO's mission to protect and promote American innovation The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not issued qualification standards for attorney positions. However, the USPTO sets minimum qualifications for attorney positions and sets forth these qualifications in each vacancy announcement. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at General Attorney Series 0905.

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 in the Federal service: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-13.

Qualified applicants should possess both specialized experience and professional law/legal experience as listed below:

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Analyzing patent application files, legal matters, or case files to determine whether fraud, misrepresentation, or other potential misconduct occurred.; AND
• Investigating suspected fraud, misrepresentation, or other potential misconduct in the patent processes to identify patterns of suspicious activity; AND
• Applying regulations, legal decisions, and guidance to identify and recommend appropriate legal or administrative actions in response to attempts to circumvent patent process safeguards.; AND
• Drafting proposed final decisions for officials by reviewing the case file to recommend outcomes.

In addition to the specialized experience listed above, you must have: Three (3) years post J.D. of the professional legal/law experience listed below.

Professional legal/law experience, post J.D. is defined as: Having experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled in the area. This experience is characterized by breadth and depth of experience in rendering professional legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters falling within the purview of a Federal government agency, private sector, law firm, or other organization; preparing interpretative and administrative orders, rules, or regulations to give effect to the provisions of governing statutes or other requirements of law; drafting, negotiating, or examining contracts or other legal documents; drafting, preparing formal comments, or making substantive recommendations regarding proposed legislation; editing and preparing for publication statutes enacted by Congress and opinions or decisions of a court, commission, or board; drafting and reviewing decisions for consideration and adoption by an organization or official; conducting investigations to obtain facts; determines questions of law; studies, analyzes and evaluates legal precedents, to present findings. Legal work is described as extremely complex and difficult and requires a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in balancing competing interests; and has broad or wide-scope impact on an economy, industry, private or public interests. Work may also involve acting as principal attorney in charge of the preparation and presentation of cases; recommending policies and developing procedures and regulations to implement new or amended legislation; and acting as legal, general or senior counsel to a major firm or organization.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.