Trial Attorney

Energy & Natural Resources Division; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy & Natural Resources Division in the United States government seeks attorneys with substantial civil litigation experience to handle a diverse docket. Candidates will manage complex cases, conduct discovery, draft substantive briefs, engage in negotiations and mediations, and appear in court to argue motions and try cases. Collaboration with client agencies, experts, and support staff is essential.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in civil litigation, including discovery, experts, briefs, negotiations, and trial work.
• Ability to manage multiple complex cases with intellectual rigor and rapid analysis of facts and law.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills with experience arguing motions and taking/defending depositions.

Responsibilities

• Manage case strategy and case management for multiple matters.
• Draft and file motions, briefs, and other pleadings; negotiate settlements as appropriate.
• Take and defend depositions; present oral arguments and conduct trials when required.
• Coordinate with client agencies and experts; utilize litigation support tools.

Skills

Civil litigation

Discovery

Brief writing

Negotiations and mediations

Trial advocacy

Litigation technology

Job description

Much of our work involves challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Natural Resources Section (NRS) has a dynamic practice with a diverse docket and attorneys may choose to focus on brief writing or trial practice or both. On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving:

• Vital federal programs ranging from national energy policy to nuclear materials management to military preparedness;
• The balanced use of federal natural resources for varied uses, including mineral extraction, conservation, preservation, recreation, and commercial uses;
• The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources;
• Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country;
• Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control; and
• The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes.

Because of the diverse nature of our docket, the ideal candidate should be comfortable having primary or sole responsibility in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including some combination of discovery, working with experts, drafting substantive briefs, engaging in negotiations and mediations, appearing in court to argue motions, and going to trial. The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, scientific principles, and legal issues, often rapidly.

Successful candidates will be intellectually curious, driven, and possess the ability to harness technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. Creative thinking and talent in problem-solving -- whether in a litigation or settlement context -- are critical. Collegiality is fundamental to our Section. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working collaboratively with other attorneys, learning from Section veterans, and providing support and mentorship to less experienced attorneys. On a day-to-day basis, our attorneys address case management issues, negotiate with opposing counsel, write motions and briefs, handle discovery, take and defend depositions, present oral arguments, and conduct trials. Our attorneys work closely with both attorneys and program staff at our client agencies, as well as with expert witnesses retained to offer opinions in our litigation.

In staffing our cases, we strive to create work opportunities for our attorneys that allow them to constantly learn and grow by providing new challenges. We provide new attorneys with robust skills-based and substantive training. We also have exceptionally talented attorneys who are generous with their time to mentor. The group of paralegals and legal assistants we have are valuable resources, offering expert help. Overall, the Section cultivates an atmosphere of respect among colleagues who work together to advocate on behalf of the United States.