Senior Litigation Counsel

The United States Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

The Natural Resources Section of the Energy and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice seeks a Senior Litigation Counsel in Washington, DC. The ideal candidate will handle sophisticated litigation, perform complex regulatory analyses, and oversee trial roadmaps, discovery coordination, and trial strategy.

The position involves working with expert witnesses, mentoring trial attorneys, and coordinating with ENRD Front Office and other DOJ divisions to advance high-stakes federal

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource law and complex litigation involving statutes and areas of the law within the Section's portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing the work products of attorneys and providing advice and direction in handling complex litigation cases and projects.
• Demonstrated experience writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively and communicating effectively with various audiences.

Responsibilities

• Participate in high-level litigation strategy and trial advocacy; oversee trial roadmaps and discovery coordination.
• Mentor trial attorneys during case assignments and training sessions.
• Coordinate with ENRD Front Office and other DOJ divisions and agencies on case strategy and collaboration.

Skills

Natural resources law

Complex litigation

Regulatory analysis

Job description

Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD)

Hiring Office

Natural Resources Section

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

ENRD-26-062-SL

Location: 150 M Street, NE

Location: 150 M Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 - United States

Application Deadline:

Friday, September 25, 2026

About the Office

The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes and the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Job Description

The Section is soliciting applications from experienced attorneys for the position of Senior Litigation Counsel in Washington D.C. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a powerful aptitude for sophisticated litigation, facility in the legal analysis of novel and complicated issues, and the ability to harness leading-edge technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. They will be expected to provide advice and guidance on trial strategy and trial advocacy as well as oversee the formulation of trial roadmaps and coordinate discovery. The candidate should have significant experience with complex emergency motion practice and handling some of the Department's most high-profile cases, including fluency with complex regulatory analyses, statutory interpretation and constitutional law.

The role also requires intensive trial work, including working with expert witnesses: identifying factual issues that require expert witness testimony, locating and retaining qualified expert witnesses, and coordinating and synthesizing the opinions of multiple expert witnesses and their reports across different specialties. Further, this position involves both impromptu and formalized mentoring of trial attorneys during case assignments and in environments specifically set aside for training. Training topics include substantive areas of law, as well as procedural best practices. The position also requires direct consultation with the ENRD Front Office and senior management of other DOJ divisions and federal agencies.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. This Senior Level position requires a minimum of 10 years of post-J.D. litigation experience.

You must meet the mandatory technical qualifications (MTQ) listed below. Please address the MTQs below by providing concrete and succinct examples of your experience that demonstrate the complexity of the experience you possess. Do not exceed one page per MTQ.

• Demonstrated expertise in natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource law and complex litigation involving statutes and areas of the law within the Section's portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing the work products of attorneys and providing advice and direction in handling complex litigation cases and projects.
• Demonstrated experience writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively and communicating effectively with various audiences.

Qualifications must include a demonstrated record of complex case management, superb courtroom and presentation skills, excellent negotiation skills, outstanding legal writing, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Experience litigating cases in the federal district court or the Court of Federal Claims is highly desired but not required.

Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Additional information

DOJ offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits .

Veterans Preference Policy

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov .

$150,160 - $225,700 per year

Number of Positions

One

Travel

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

This and othervacancy announcements can be found underAttorney Vacancies andVolunteer Legal Internships . The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.