Civil Division Attorney - Location Negotiable

US Offices, Boards and Divisions; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice, Civil Division, seeks attorneys with a J.D. degree and active bar membership in good standing. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The position involves evaluating post-J.D. experience to determine eligibility across GS-11 to GS-15 levels.

Trial period of 2 years is required by Executive Order 14284. Strong legal research and writing skills, sound judgment, and civil litigation experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Review applicants and determine eligibility for GS-11 to GS-15 levels.
• Communicate with applicants and coordinate recruitment actions within the Civil Division.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical thinking

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

The Civil Division is the largest litigating component of the Department of Justice, representing the interests of the United States in some of the nation's most significant civil litigation matters. Our teams handle cases involving constitutional law, national security, immigration, government programs, civil fraud, and other matters of critical public importance. Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), be a U.S. citizen. The minimum years of post-law degree experience commensurate with the grade level of eligibility is shown below.

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

• GS-11: Up to one (1) year of legal experience.
• GS-12: At least one (1) year of post-J.D. legal experience.
• GS-13: At least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• GS-14: At least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• GS-15: At least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.

Preferred qualifications: The Civil Division seeks attorneys with strong academic credentials, excellent legal research and writing skills, sound judgment, and demonstrated civil litigation experience. Judicial clerkship experience is highly desirable.

Trial Period Statement

As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-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.