ATTORNEY ADVISOR

The United States Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 144,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) within The United States Department of Justice seeks experienced attorneys to conduct professional responsibility investigations. Candidates must have a J.D. and be an active member of the bar, with post‑J.D.

litigation experience to qualify for GS‑14 or GS‑15 levels. A Top Secret/SCI clearance is required, and candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and writing skills.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar membership in any State, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• 2.5+ years post‑J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience for GS‑14; 4+ years for GS‑15.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Experience in professional responsibility investigations and ability to handle depositions or case interviews.

Responsibilities

• Locate and review relevant records and physical evidence.
• Conduct in-depth interviews of witnesses and subjects.
• Research complex ethical issues and apply standards to facts.
• Identify relevant standards of conduct and reach well‑supported conclusions.
• Draft memoranda and reports summarizing investigation facts, legal analysis, and findings.
• Make recommendations for action to OPR and Department leadership.

Skills

Bar admission

Legal research

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Location: Washington, DC 20530 - United States

Location: Washington, DC 20530 - United States Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

About the Office

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of professional misconduct involving Department of Justice attorneys and law enforcement agents that relate to the exercise of an attorney’s authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice. OPRattorneys conductsensitive investigations involving all levels and components of the Department and relating to a wide range of challenging and topical ethical issues, including grand jury abuse, discovery violations, and lack of candor. OPR also has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of whistleblower retaliation made by current, former, and prospective employees of the FBI. Because professional misconduct and whistleblower retaliation allegations may involve highly publicized or sensitive cases, matters with complex legal or factual issues, and those with novel ethical questions, the office seeks experienced, detail-oriented attorneys with discretion, good judgment, and excellent analytical and writing skills.

OPR attorneys and administrative staff are public-service oriented and dedicated to OPR’s mission to ensure that Department attorneys perform their duties with integrity in accordance with the high professional standards expected of the nation’s principal law enforcement agency. OPR’s small size fosters collegiality and collaboration.OPR’s offices are in the historic RFK Main Justice Building in Washington, D.C., with convenient access to parking, public transportation, and downtown attractions. This is an in-office position.

OPR attorneys enjoy a challenging mix of responsibilities that require investigative, analytical, and oral and written communication skills. OPR attorneys are expected to work independently and to effectively manage multiple concurrent assignments. Duties include the following:

• Locating and reviewing relevant records and other physical evidence.
• Conducting in-depth interviews of witnesses and subjects.
• Researching complex and novel ethical issues.
• Identifying the relevant standards of conduct and applying the facts to reach well-supported conclusions.
• Drafting memoranda and reports that concisely summarize the facts developed during the investigation, discuss the legal analysis, and explain the investigative findings.
• Making recommendations for appropriate action to OPR and Department leadership.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar in goodstanding in any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below:

• At least 2.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level.
• At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level.

Meeting the minimum post-law degree legal experience requirements does not guarantee selection at that grade level. The individualselected for this position must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance as acondition of employment.

OPR seeks experienced attorneys with an interest in professional responsibility, who possess the legal skills and sound judgment necessary toevaluate the sensitive issues that arise during attorney misconduct investigations. Candidates should have experience in and be accomplished at investigating factual disputes, resolving challenging legal questions, and crafting polished written work products. The ability toarticulate critical issues accurately and precisely in written and oral communicationis essential. A successful applicant will have significant expertise in conducting depositions or case‑related interviews; handling trials at the federal, state, or local level; appellate advocacy; or similar litigation or investigative experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledgeofand familiarity with the rules and obligations imposed onprosecutors and other government attorneys by the Constitution, federal statutes , court decisions , orders,rules, regulations, Department policies, and applicable state bar rules.
• Possess the legal skills and sound judgment necessary to identify ethical issues and to evaluate the sensitive issues and complex legal problems that arise in the course of conducting attorney misconduct investigations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop positive working relationships in a wide variety of situations.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently in a demanding environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, outstanding organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorit<…>
• At least five years post-J.D. experience.

Applicants may be asked to complete a written legal analysis based on a factual scenario provided by OPR. Contact information for references may be required at a later time.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level (GS-14, $143,913 - $187,093) or (GS-15, $169,279 - $197,200).

Number of Positions

1

Travel

Occasional travel may be required.