Counsel- Office of the Inspector General

Federal Reserve System; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 145,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Reserve System is seeking a Counsel to support the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in Washington, DC. The role provides independent legal services, reviews junior staff work, and shapes legal and policy recommendations for IG enforcement and oversight.

Minimum education is a Juris Doctor, with at least three years' IG-related experience, and eligibility for a top secret/SCI security clearance. Telework is not available; relocation is not provided.

Qualifications

• Professional law degree (JD or LLM) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to a state, commonwealth, territory, or DC bar.
• At least three years of responsible work in inspector general programs and operations.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal and civil law.
• Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance; top secret/SCI readiness.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent legal services to the IG and OIG staff.
• Review junior staff work and contribute to legal/policy recommendations.
• Draft memoranda, regulations, directives, and testimony for OIG.
• Coordinate with DOJ and other agencies on litigation strategy.
• Manage FOIA and Privacy Act requests and assess legal sufficiency.
• Advise on complex audit, investigative, and management issues.

Skills

Legal experience

Regulatory compliance

Education

Juris doctor

Job description

Job Description - Counsel- Office of the Inspector General (R025804)

Always verify and apply to jobs on the official Federal Reserve Board career site or through verified Federal Reserve Board social media channels.

Counsel- Office of the Inspector General - R025804

Primary Location

DC-Washington

Employee Status

Regular

Overtime Status

Exempt

Job Type

Standard

Relocation Provided : No

Compensation Grade Low : FR PAY GRADE 28

Compensation Grade High : FR PAY GRADE 28

Minimum Salary : $144,500.00

Maximum Salary : $243,400.00

Posting Date

Aug 28, 2026

Position Description

Minimum Education
Juris doctor
Minimum Experience
3
Summary

The counsel provides independent legal services to the Inspector General (IG) and all staff of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). At this level, the counsel reviews the work of junior staff members and is involved in the formulation of legal and policy recommendations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Generally, assumes responsibility for legal projects in a particular area of the OIG's work, such as litigating cases; administering statutes such as the Inspector General Act, Freedom of Information Act, or Privacy Act; or serving as a resource to the OIG in a particular area of law. Coordinates and helps to review the work of staff members, including junior staff and legal interns, assigned to such projects.
• Prepares legal memoranda for the AIG for Legal Services, presenting analysis of legal issues and proposing alternate courses of action. Drafts regulations and directives for implementing OIG policy or new legislation within the OIG. Helps to prepare draft testimony for OIG staff and officers to present before congressional committees. Prepares other legal documents, including letters for the signature of OIG officers. Reviews the work product of other OIG staff, including junior legal staff and legal interns, assigned to such projects.
• Collaborates with other OIG staff and reviews existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to the OIG and the programs and operations of the Board and the CFPB, and conducts analysis and makes recommendations concerning the impact of such legislation or regulations on the economy and efficiency of the administration of programs and operations administered or financed by the Board and the CFPB or the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in such programs and operations.
• Provides explanations and advice to the AIG in response to inquiries from OIG staff concerning federal statutes, regulations, and interpretations regarding the programs and operations of the Board and the CFPB. Reviews explanations of, and provides advice to other OIG staff, including junior legal staff and legal interns, regarding such inquiries.
• Participates with OIG management and senior staff in the formulation of policy recommendations to the IG in particular areas of substantive expertise.
• Provides expert and timely legal advice to the AIG for Legal Services and other OIG officers, managers, and staff on a wide range of complex and difficult audit, investigative, and management issues, including highly sensitive and controversial legal problems that affect major and critical operations of the Board and the CFPB. Reviews and evaluates audit and inspection/evaluation findings and management improvement suggestions for legal sufficiency. Reviews investigative reports for their legal sufficiency, and evaluates investigative cases for potential criminal prosecution and potential referral to the Department of Justice. Serves as a legal liaison with the Department of Justice, United States Attorney’s Offices, and the Legal Divisions of the Board and the CFPB.
• Prepares OIG subpoenas and coordinates the enforcement of those subpoenas with the Department of Justice.
• Develops legal justification for OIG-initiated litigation. Assists the AIG in all aspects of complex appellate and trial court litigation, including researching and drafting appellate briefs and pleadings, preparing administrative records, negotiating agreements with opposing counsel, and advising and coordinating with counsel for parties supporting the OIG's action with respect to litigation strategy.
• Coordinates and evaluates Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act requests pertaining to the OIG. Reviews FOIA and Privacy Act requests and recommends proper courses of action. Provides advice on laws and regulations relating to FOIA and the Privacy Act.
• Represents the OIG at various meetings or conferences, often in order to present, justify, or defend the OIG's position on significant or controversial issues.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Professional law degree (JD or LLM) from an accredited law school; admission to a state, commonwealth, territory, or the District of Columbia bar; and at least three years of responsible work experience in areas related to inspector general programs and operations. Significant experience in applying and interpreting federal, state, and local criminal and civil laws, regulations, and policies, particularly those involving the interests of the Federal Reserve System (to include banking and related consumer laws). Incumbent should have a thorough understanding of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, as well as other authorities and precedents that may at various times affect OIG operations and activities. Must have or be able to obtain and maintain the required security clearance appropriate to the sensitivity of information and systems accessed. Is subject to the Board’s drug testing program.

Remarks

• Demonstrated experience and capability in litigating cases with substantial responsibility for all aspects of discovery, trial, and appeals is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in litigating civil or prosecuting criminal cases in federal court is a plus.
• Experience in working both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders at varying levels in a fast-paced, high-demand environment with limited guidance is preferred.
• Past performance evaluations may be requested.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret/SCI security clearance. Is subject to the Board’s drug testing program.
• Selectee will be required to complete a privacy waiver authorizing the OIG to contact previous federal employers.

This position is located in Washington, D.C. The OIG’s telework policy requires employees to be physically present in the office full-time. Relocation assistance is not available.

The expected salary range for this role is $144,500 - $243,400. Final offers are determined by experience and education, as well as internal and external factors.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or application, membership, or service in the uniformed services.