General Attorney (Trade Regulation)-WRSF

US Federal Trade Commission; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Federal Trade Commission is seeking attorneys for GS-12 through GS-15 levels. Applicants must hold a law degree, be a member in good standing of the bar, and demonstrate excellent writing and collaboration skills, with sound judgment.

Each GS level requires increasing years of post-law-school experience and demonstrated capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to draft and analyze legal documents, perform research, and communicate effectively in oral and written forms.

Qualifications

• LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing (state, DC, PR, or US territory).
• Excellent writing skills and ability to work with others; sound judgment.
• GS-12 requires 12 months legal experience after law school.
• GS-13 requires 24 months post-law-school experience; 12 months at least comparable to GS-12.
• GS-14 requires 42 months post-law-school experience; 18 months comparable to GS-13.
• GS-15 requires 60 months post-law-school experience; 18 months comparable to GS-14.

Responsibilities

• Draft motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, and memoranda.
• Conduct legal research and original analysis; strong drafting skills.
• Communicate effectively orally; participate in investigations, settlements, and trials where appropriate.

Skills

Writing skills

Teamwork

Sound judgment

Oral communication

Education

LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency.

GS-12 Positions:

For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-12 level:

In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-11 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-11 level includes examples such as working on non-complex litigation matters and performing basic legal research, drafting, and legal analysis.

GS-13 Positions:

For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-13 level:

In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-12 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-12 level includes work on moderately complex, novel, or broadly significant matters. This work entails solid drafting skills, original research, strong legal analyses, and effective oral communications.

GS-14 Positions:

For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-13 level

For the GS-14 level:

Qualifying experience at the GS-13 level includes examples such as independently plan, organize and conduct analysis of the matters on which you are working, based on preliminary background and policy information provided by the supervisor. Written work is expected to be technically correct and not require detailed review. At this level, attorneys are journeymen attorneys whose work entails demanding legal research and analysis; drafting and reviewing motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, rule proposals, and memoranda; and, where appropriate to the office, participating in investigational hearings, negotiating settlements, and trials. Such attorneys contribute to the tactical and policy decisions inherent in various matters and, where appropriate, they should be able to assist in the trial of these matters. Attorneys at this level take charge of basic matters, moderately complex and novel matters, and make substantial contributions to the most complex, novel, or significant matters.

GS-15 Positions:

For attorney appointments: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-14 level.

For the GS-15 level:

Qualifying experience at the GS-15 level includes examples such as being an outstanding writer and highly effective oral advocate. You must also exercise sound judgment, supervise, work well with, and motivate others, and make decided contributions to the work of the office. You must function independently and your work should not require close supervision or substantive review. Your supervisor(s) must have complete confidence in your judgment. At this level, you should be recognized for your competence. These attorneys should be able to represent the agency before any group or in any setting, and to effectively manage the preparation and trial of virtually any major case, all stages in the appeal of such a case, or conduct evaluation and analysis of the most complex cases of major significance for which little if any precedent exists.

Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the Federal Government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience.

requirements.

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