Attorney-Adviser

Federal Election Commission; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Election Commission seeks an Attorney in the Office of General Counsel, Litigation, Enforcement, or Policy Division. This standing register remains open for one year with future cut-offs at the hiring manager's discretion.

The incumbent serves in a bargaining unit position and must meet rigorous basic and specialized experience requirements for GS-11 through GS-14 levels. Applicants must hold a J.D.

Qualifications

• J.D. or LL.B from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in a state, DC, Puerto Rico, or U.S. territory.
• For GS-12: at least 1 year of progressively responsible attorney experience in compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or related areas.
• For GS-13: at least 2 years of such experience; GS-14: at least 3 years with leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research on policies, regulations, and compliance questions; research legal precedent.
• Draft briefs, motions, and other legal documents for litigation or administrative proceedings.
• Assist with depositions and sworn statements; participate in investigations and legal proceedings.
• Provide legal advice and analysis to senior staff; help negotiate settlements and present oral arguments.

Skills

Legal Research

Oral Advocacy

Written Briefs

Education

J.D. or LL.B from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

This position serves as an Attorney in the Litigation, Enforcement, or Policy Division of the Office of General Counsel at the FEC. This vacancy announcement is a standing register, open continuously for one year. The next cut-off date is 2/23/2026. Future cut-off dates are at the hiring manager's discretion. If you are found qualified and eligible, your name will remain on the register through the closing date of the announcement. This is a bargaining unit position.

In order to qualify, you must meet the Basic Requirements and the Specialized Experience Requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. A copy of your unofficial or official transcripts must be provided with your application.

Basic Requirements (applicable to ALL grade levels):

• A. Education: Possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• AND, B. Bar Membership: Be an active member in good standing of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.

In addition to meeting both of the Basic Requirements above, you must meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level listed below.

Minimum Qualification Requirement for GS-11:

Applicant must possess the minimum requirements of (1) a law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and (2) Bar admission, being licensed and in good standing to practice law as an Attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.

Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-12:

Applicant must have at least 1 year of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 federal grade level, participating in providing legal advice, analysis, research, or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching legal precedent; (2) drafting briefs, motions, or other legal documents; (3) assisting with taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; and (4) making oral presentations of legal research/analysis.

Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-13:

Applicant must have at least 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 federal grade level participating in providing legal advice, analysis, research, or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching legal precedent; (2) drafting briefs, motions, or other documents in preparation for trial or administrative proceedings; (3) assisting with taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; (4) assisting senior staff with settlement negotiations with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) making oral presentations of legal arguments or results of legal research/analysis.

Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-14:

Applicant must have at least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 federal grade level providing legal advice, analysis, research, and/or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting extensive legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching precedent or opinions bearing on a legal issue; (2) writing briefs, motions, reports, or recommendations in preparation for trial or administrative proceedings; (3) taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; (4) participating in negotiating settlement agreements with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) presenting oral arguments in a court or administrative hearing.

In addition, applicants must provide a cover letter of at least two pages summarizing your evidence of the following competencies:

1. Legal Writing: Writes clear, concise, persuasive legal documents.
2. Legal Analysis: Researches, analyzes, and explains complex legal issues.
3. Investigations: Gathers information and examines facts for investigations or research; takes depositions; conducts witness interviews; drafts formal and informal written discovery.
4. Negotiating: Develops negotiation strategy; drafts and negotiates settlement agreements; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
5. Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; communicates complex legal principles succinctly and clearly.

We recommend your cover letter include examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the functions, activities, or services you delivered; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed, and the results of your actions.

Part-time or unpaid experience

Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Volunteer work experience

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

Please Note:

• If you are selected at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the next higher grade level once you have served 12 months and met performance requirements.
• If you are selected at the GS-13 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the GS-14 level once you have served 18 months at the GS-13 level and met performance requirements.
• Selection at the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 level does not guarantee promotion to the GS-14, full performance level.