Trial Attorney

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 128,664 - 157,257; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Attorney General in Washington, DC seeks a Trial Attorney to represent APS in guardianships for vulnerable adults who are abused, neglected, or exploited. You will collaborate with APS social workers, file intervention petitions, and manage research, discovery, and trial work.

You will join a limited back-up support structure and may assist in other practice areas while coordinating services for elder victims with stakeholders across the District.

Qualifications

• Three to seven years of relevant specialized experience.
• Substantive knowledge of District and federal law.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong legal research abilities.

Responsibilities

• Represent APS in obtaining guardians and conservators for vulnerable adults.
• Advise APS social workers and investigate allegations.
• File intervention petitions, conduct research, and manage motions and trials.
• Possibly file civil protection orders on behalf of incapacitated seniors or vulnerable adults.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Legal research

Case management

Interpersonal skills

Education

DC Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

Located in the nation’s capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies, and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Public Safety Division within the Domestic Violence & Special Victims Section.

The Public Safety Division handles all cases where young people commit a law violation in the District of Columbia and prosecutes selected adult misdemeanor cases. The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section (DVSV) and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care. The Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between the young people who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested. The Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust. The Juvenile Section holds young people who commit crimes accountable, protects the community, and assists in the rehabilitation of those individuals.

DVSV’s eight attorneys and two paralegals practice throughout D.C. Superior Court’s divisions to protect victims of domestic violence, victims of sexual assault, and vulnerable victims. In the Domestic Violence Division, attorneys prosecute violations of civil protection orders and anti-stalking orders, represent petitioners in obtaining such orders, and pursue extreme risk protection orders to remove guns from people who pose a danger to themselves or others. In the Family Court, attorneys prosecute youth who commit domestic violence, sexual assault, and offenses against vulnerable victims and staff HOPE Court – a specialty court aimed at reducing the risk of commercial sexual exploitation of delinquent youth. In the Criminal Division, attorneys prosecute offenses normally handled by OAG’s Criminal Section that involve victims within DVSV’s umbrella. In the Probate Division, DVSV represents social workers from Adult Protective Services (APS) in obtaining guardians and conservators for vulnerable adults who are being abused, neglected, or exploited.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

DVSV is seeking a Trial Attorney for its APS practice. The attorney’s primary responsibility will be to represent APS in obtaining guardians and conservators for vulnerable adults who are being abused, neglected, or exploited. The attorney will work closely with APS social workers, who are the petitioners in intervention cases. The attorney will advise social workers, investigate allegations, file intervention petitions, conduct research and discovery, negotiate settlements, engage in motions practice, and manage trial practice. The attorney may also file civil protection orders on behalf of incapacitated seniors or vulnerable adults in the name of the District of Columbia. The attorney will be the only attorney in the section with these primary responsibilities but will have the support of colleagues as back up. Similarly, the attorney will be expected to assist in the section’s other practice areas as back-up support. The attorney will also represent OAG at various meetings focused on coordinating services for elder victims.

HOW TO APPLY:Online Application must be completed in its entirety, along with the following submissions:

3) Legal Writing Sample

4) Unofficialtranscripts if the applicant has less than five years of experience (official transcripts may be required if selected)

5) A List of Three References

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL ATTACHMENTS WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM CONSIDERATION.

**If experiencing issues uploading attachments through the careers portal, please send the required documents to [e-mail]. Please be sure to add the JOB ID to the subject line. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position.**

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

The successful candidate must have at least three to seven years of relevant related specialized experience. The candidate must have substantive knowledge of District and federal law, excellent oral and written communication skills, and outstanding legal research skills. The candidate must also be organized and possess the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

Pay Plan, Series and Grade:LA-0905-13

Salary Range:The maximum salary for this position is negotiable up to $142,961 depending on qualifications and availability of funds.

Number of Vacancies: One (1)

Type Of Appointment: Legal Service – Regular Appointment

Tour of Duty:Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

In-person reporting with limited telework and flexible work schedules available upon eligibility.

Promotion Potential:No known promotion potential.

Collective Bargaining Unit:This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 1403

GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING:The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.

RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Code § 2-1401.01,et.seq., (the Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL