Attorney Advisor (Public Notice Flyer)

Office of the Secretary; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel, seeks full‑time Attorney-Advisors to support the International Trade Administration on international trade and investment matters. Positions require bar membership and progressively higher specialized experience across GS-12 to GS-14 levels.

Ideal candidates have strong research, writing, and analytical skills, plus a demonstrated interest in public service and government work. This is a DC-based, full-time opportunity within OCC-IC.

Qualifications

• J.D. or LL.M. from an ABA-accredited law school; active bar membership in a U.S. state, DC, Puerto Rico, or U.S. territory.
• GS-12 requires at least one year of specialized professional or legal experience; GS-13 requires two years (one year specialized).
• GS-14 requires five years of specialized experience, three years of which must be specialized legal experience.
• Interest in international economic or commercial matters; familiarity with government/public service preferred.
• Strong research, editing, and writing skills; analytical and reasoning ability; professional and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to the International Trade Administration on international trade and investment matters.
• Advise on policy and regulatory issues affecting international commerce; draft memoranda and opinions.
• Engage with peers, clients, and supervisors to manage assignments under tight deadlines.

Skills

Research skills

Editing

Writing skills

Analytical reasoning

Professional communication

Team collaboration

Public service interest

Education

J.D.

LL.M.

Job description

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of the General Counsel, is seeking full-time attorneys to join the Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce (OCC-IC). This Attorney-Advisor position provides legal support to the International Trade Administration on international trade and investment issues. Learn more about this agency

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

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.

To be considered for this position, applicants must have a demonstrated interest in international economic or commercial matters and a minimum of one year of specialized professional experience, ideally in the area of U.S. international trade, commercial, and investment policy. Specialised legal experience is preferred. For purposes of this position, specialised legal experience may consist of paid or unpaid experience post bar-admission, including Federal or State Government experience, law firm or legal practice, judicial clerkship, and/or unpaid or volunteer legal work.

We are seeking a candidate with the following additional qualifications: strong research, editing, and writing skills; effective analytical and reasoning skills with respect to identification and recommended minimization of legal risk; professional communication skills needed to successfully engage with peers, colleagues, supervisors, and clients; ability to handle and be responsible for a variety of assignments with short, time-critical deadlines; and interpersonal communication skills suitable for successfully working on a team on projects that require legal analysis. We are also seeking a candidate with familiarity or experience with Government work, or other demonstrated interest in public service, and a demonstrated ability to meaningfully contribute to OCC-IC's workplace culture.

Education and Active Bar Membership

Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or Master of Laws (L.L.M.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Official or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application package. In addition, applicants must have an active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.

AND

• For the GS-12 level have a minimum of one year of specialized professional or legal experience.
• For the GS-13 level have a minimum of two years of specialized experience, one year of which must be specialized legal experience.
• For the GS-14 level have a minimum of five years of specialized experience, three years of which must be specialized legal experience.