ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (GENERAL)

Air Force Legal Operations Agency; Maryland; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Legal Operations Agency seeks a senior litigation attorney to provide specialized legal advice for the Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) and to handle environmental matters at a senior level. The role emphasizes complex litigation, research, and advocacy before courts and government agencies.

The candidate must hold a JD from an ABA-accredited school, be in good standing with the bar, and have 3+ years of relevant environmental law experience.

Qualifications

• Must have JD from ABA-accredited school and be in good standing with the bar of the highest court of a state/DC.
• Active bar status proof required within four months of application.
• Over 3 years of professional legal experience in environmental law or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized professional legal advice as senior litigation attorney for ERP and environmental matters.
• Lead complex environmental litigation strategies and client advocacy.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research using statutes, DoD policies, US Code and CFRs.
• Prepare written briefs and present oral arguments before courts and senior government officials.
• Coordinate with DoD, AF policy teams and other agencies on environmental law issues.

Skills

Environmental law

Litigation experience

Legal research

Written advocacy

Oral advocacy

Westlaw/Lexis

Negotiation skills

Federal court practice

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission (state/DC)

LL.M. in environmental law

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Job description

The primary purpose of this position is to provide specialized professional legal advice and services as senior litigation attorney for the Air Force's Environmental Restoration Program (ERP), and as a senior level litigation attorney for environmental legal litigation practice on all environmental matters.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

You MUST have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD). In addition, at the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status with a bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status. Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirement: you must have professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that commensurate with the position's duties and responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Must have a law degree (JD) from a recognized law school and be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state or the District of Columbia or other federal bar, as appropriate. Extensive environmental law and/or litigation experience and/or a master of laws (LL.M.) in environmental/natural resource law is required.
2. Must have the skill and ability to conduct complex legal research and a familiarity with the research resources most commonly involved in environmental, occupational safety and health, natural and cultural resources and property laws. This includes various statutes, Department of Defense and Air Force policy and guidance, the United States Code, court opinions, the Code of Federal Regulations, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, etc.
3. The incumbent must have in-depth experience as a practicing environmental law attorney and possess at least three years of relevant experience. This position requires a fully qualified attorney licensed and admitted to the practice of law in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. The incumbent must be thoroughly competent in federal civil procedure, environmental and natural resources law and knowledgeable in administrative and general law.
4. Must be highly skilled in written and oral advocacy in order to prepare and present written briefs and oral arguments on behalf of the Air Force. Must possess knowledge of research databases and resources such as Westlaw, Lexis, etc.
5. Must possess superior negotiation skills and be capable of rational, logical thinking in order to formulate, coordinate and present the government’s legal position before senior attorneys assigned to various government agencies as well as the court.
6. Previous experience in the use of computer word processing software such as Microsoft applications, etc. is highly desirable, but is not required. Experience working within a large and complex legal organization is desirable but is not required. Similarly, experience working at high levels within the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, and the Department of Justice is desirable, but is not a requirement. At the time of application, you must provide proof, dated within four months of application, of "active" status and in good standing with a bar of the highest court of a State, US commonwealth, US territory, or the District of Columbia. On-line information is allowed as long as it shows that you are in "active" status and dated within four months of application.

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.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Must have a law degree (JD) from an accredited law school and be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state or the District of Columbia or other Federal Bar, as appropriate, and at least 12 years of related experience. A master of laws (LL.M.) in a related field will count for three (3) years of experience.