Attorney (Entry-Level).

Offices-to-go; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Justice in Washington, DC, seeks a Trial Attorney to investigate civil rights matters, review extensive documents, interview witnesses, and prepare memoranda for potential litigation. The role involves presenting evidence in federal or district court and working with expert witnesses and federal partners.

The candidate will develop cases for possible litigation, negotiate settlements, and enforce remedial orders, while adhering to rigorous government procedures and timelines.

Qualifications

• Must hold a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school and be an active member of the bar.
• U.S. citizenship or national status is required.
• Resume must not exceed two pages.

Responsibilities

• Investigate civil rights allegations and potential violations of the law.
• Conduct extensive document review to gather, analyze, and evaluate data and evidence; interview witnesses.
• Present evidence to federal or district court; develop cases for possible litigation.
• Work with expert witnesses and other federal partners; negotiate settlements and remedial orders.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Judgment

Initiative

Collaboration

Education

J.D. degree from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Duties

As a Trial Attorney, your duties may include: investigating allegations of civil rights discrimination or potential violations of the law; conducting extensive document review to gather, analyze, and evaluate data and evidence; interview witnesses; drafting legal and factual memoranda; presenting evidence to federal grand juries (if appropriate); developing cases for possible litigation; working with expert witnesses and other federal partners; presenting the government's case in federal or district court; conducting negotiations and mediations on a range of issues; and enforcing settlement agreements and remedial orders.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
• You may be required to complete a one- or two-year probationary period.
• You may be required to complete a pre-employment security screening to initiate your background investigation, which includes a drug screening. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion and adjudication of your investigation.
• You must have a JD degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• DOJ uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, by visiting www.e-verify.gov/.
• Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date.
• Resume cannot exceed two (2) pages.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one- or two-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Applicants must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the work of the section or substantially similar laws, rules, and regulations; written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have outstanding professional references. Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking a February 2027 bar examination may be considered, provided they meet these requirements prior to entry on duty.

Possessing the minimum legal experience or a law degree does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected at that grade level.

• GS-11 - Up to one year of post-J.D. legal experience, or possess J.D.
• GS-12 - Minimum of one year of post-J.D. legal experience

Preferred Qualifications

The following demonstrated qualifications are preferred but not required: Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as charging parties, witnesses, respondents, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred.

Education

You must possess a J.D.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Equal Employment Opportunity: The DOJ is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities

The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list

Suitability and Citizenship

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see,

FAIR CHANCE TO COMPETE FOR JOBS

The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee has violated your rights under the Fair Chance Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly with the DOJ component hiring office listed in the job opportunity announcement. For more information visit

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.