Attorney Advisor (General)

US Drug Enforcement Administration; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel, seeks a highly qualified attorney to provide legal advice and defend the agency in employment-related matters. You will review disciplinary proposals and support litigation defense in federal forums.

Applicants must be active bar members, hold a J.D. or equivalent, and have several years of post-J.D. experience, with strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills in a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• Active bar in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• J.D. degree (or equivalent) and at least 2 years post-J.D. legal or related experience.
• Excellent academic credentials.
• Strong oral and written advocacy skills.
• Superior legal research and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to DEA, Office of Chief Counsel.
• Review disciplinary proposals.
• Defend DEA in employment-related administrative litigation and federal employment lawsuits.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Employment law

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel.

This position's primary purpose is to provide legal advice, review disciplinary proposals, defend DEA in employment-related administrative litigation, and support the defense of DEA in federal employment-related lawsuits.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

All applicants must be an active member of a bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction) and possess: 1) a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and have at least 2-year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience; 2) excellent academic credentials; 3) strong oral and written advocacy skills; 4) superior legal research and analytical skills; and 5) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.

To qualify for each GS Level:

• Applicants applying for the GS-13 must have 2 or more years of post J.D. legal experience
• Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 3 or more years of post J.D. legal experience
• Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of post J.D. legal experience

Specialized experience:

• Applicants applying for the GS-13 must have 2 or more years of cumulative post J.D. legal experience in litigation, employment law, and/or a judicial clerkship.
• Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 3 or more years of cumulative post J.D. legal experience in employment in litigation, employment law, and/or a judicial clerkship. Applicants should have substantial post-JD experience working on relevant legal matters, such as employment law counseling matters or litigation matters, with little or no guidance and/or supervision. Applicants should have mediation and/or hearing experience.
• Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of cumulative post J.D. legal experience in employment in litigation, employment law, and/or a judicial clerkship. Applicants should have substantial post-JD experience working on relevant legal matters, such as employment law counseling matters or litigation matters, with little or no guidance and/or supervision. Applicants must have mediation and/or hearing experience leading teams and/or advising senior leadership on legal and policy matters.

Qualifying litigation experience may include civil, administrative, or criminal litigation. Applicants should have a strong interest in civil litigation and employment law. Preferred applicants will have prior experience in a judicial clerkship and/or civil or administrative litigation (particularly that is related to employment law). Applicants must possess superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.