Trial Attorney

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Government, Office of the General Counsel for the Department on Disability Services, seeks an attorney to handle litigious matters for District residents with disabilities. The role requires preparing and trying cases, drafting pleadings, and managing litigation calendars.

Ideal candidates hold a J.D. or LL.B. from ABA-accredited school, with DC Bar admission or pending, and prefer at least one year of post-J.D. experience. This is an in-office position with strong advocacy expectations.

Qualifications

• Must hold a J.D. or LL.B. from ABA-accredited school.
• Must be in good standing with the DC Bar or have an application pending for admission.
• Prefers at least one year of post J.D. professional legal experience.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and court procedures relevant to DC litigation.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills and ability to manage complex cases and calendars.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and try cases assigned with full responsibility.
• Draft complaints, responses, motions, and legal briefs/memoranda.
• Conduct discovery, gather evidence, and prepare witnesses and exhibits.
• Manage case calendars, scheduling, and court filings; issue subpoenas.
• Coordinate with agency officials and outside parties as needed.

Skills

Legal Research

Litigation

Oral Advocacy

Written Briefs

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)/LL.B.

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Job description

Positioncanbefilledatthegrade12or13levelviathisannouncement;theapplicantmust meet therequirementsaccordingtothequalificationsbelow.AnincumbenthiredattheLA-12levelissubjecttomoreandongoingsupervisionthananincumbenthiredorpromotedtotheLA-13level.

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INTRODUCTION

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Department on Disability Services (DDS). The Department on Disability Services is a unique and complex agency providing community living services and support to District citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and providing vocational rehabilitation services to District residents with physical, psychological and developmental disabilities for employment, self-sufficiency and/or independence. This position provides litigation with full responsibility for preparation and trial of cases assigned.

MAJOR DUTIES

Incumbent reviews information presented and relevant case law to determine whether a proceeding or filing should be initiated. Reviews, for this purpose, include interviewing agency officials, other potential witnesses, available documents and sources of information. Incumbent is responsible for preparing complaints, responses, motions, legal briefs/memoranda as appropriate. Prepares and conducts litigation including preparation of witnesses and exhibits, collection and organization of evidence, preparation and conduct of preliminary proceedings, identification, procurement and preparation of expert services, examination of witnesses, and oral arguments. Negotiates resolution of cases and determines, with the approval of the supervisor, when continued proceedings are no longer in the best interest of the District of Columbia, and prepares documentation and necessary court papers to implement negotiations.

Performs all functions related to case and calendar management, such as pretrial, motion and trial scheduling, preparation of case transfer or close-out reports, case file entry updating, documentation of action taken or orders issued, timely preparation and service of filings, timely issuance of subpoenas, and any other administrative function associated with litigation.

Incumbent is responsible for keeping abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the function of programs and the recommendation of appropriate courses of action to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Incumbent may have to confer with and incorporate the concerns of District Government officials, members of administrative bodies, and officials outside of the District Government regarding actions taken during enforcement cases. Compiles monthly statistical and status reports on cases assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

AllCandidatesmustpossessa Juris Doctorate ( J.D.)orLL.Bdegreefromalaw school accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of appointment ;

AND

MustbeeitheramemberingoodstandingoftheDistrictofColumbiaBaror be admitted in another United States jurisdiction and haveanapplication submitted and pending for admission to the District of Columbia Bar;

AND

Prefers incumbent one(1)fullyearof post J.D. professional legalexperience .

EDUCATION, LICENSURES, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

As indicated above, anapplicantmust have successfullycompletedafull courseofstudyinaschoolof lawaccreditedbythe American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD).

WORK EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of laws, theories, principles, practices and techniques of legal proceedings sufficient to represent the District of Columbia in litigation and related activities.

Skills in the analysis and resolution of difficult legal issues in an orderly, systematic and effective manner.

Skills in interpreting and applying applicable laws, regulations and practices, including agency policies and relevant judicial decisions.

Skills in identifying and isolating controlling legal issues from complex factual situations.

Skills in applying sound judgment in the review and analysis of matters and deriving logical conclusions.

Knowledge of legal reference materials and research techniques, including the use of Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other automated legal and legislative retrieval systems.

Skills in communicating precisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Knowledge of legal advocacy tactics and strategy as well as negotiation, pretrial and trial techniques.

Collective Bargaining Unit

Thispositionis covered under thecollectivebargainingunitrepresentedbyAmerican Federation of Government Employees ( AFGE Local 1403).

Work Schedule

This position is an in-office position, subject to the AFGE Local 1403 Collective Bargaining Agreement and DCHR and DDS policies and issuances on Compressed, Flexible, and Telework Schedules.

Additional information

Onceapplicationsaresubmitted,applicantswillnotbeabletochangetheirresponsestotheonline questions.

Thepositionforwhichtheindividualisapplyinghasbeenidentifiedanddesignatedas requiringenhanced suitability screening.

Iftentativelyselectedfortheposition,acriminalbackgroundcheck,trafficrecordcheck,consumercredit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and

Theappointeetothepositionmaybeofferedemploymentcontingentuponreceiptofasatisfactory enhanced suitability screening.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Youwillbeevaluatedforthisjobbasedonhowwellyoumeetthequalifications above.

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents(coverletter,writingsample,listof three referencesandlastperformanceevaluation).Pleasebe sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.

EEO Statement

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.