Trial Attorney (Appellate Law)

United States Trustee Program (USTP); Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Trustee Program (USTP) seeks an attorney with deep experience in complex civil appellate litigation to advise and litigate before federal appellate courts across the nation. The role focuses on expert appellate strategy, briefing, and advocacy in civil bankruptcy matters with periodic constitutional issue briefs at trial levels.

The Trial Attorney (Appellate Law) will work within OGC, report to the Associate General Counsel for Appellate Practice, and help manage roughly 100

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in complex civil appellate litigation.
• Ability to brief constitutional issues before trial and appellate courts.
• Proven skill in writing appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of a cohesive team of civil appellate attorneys.
• Litigate complex civil bankruptcy appeals and constitutional matters nationwide.
• Draft appellate briefs, argue orally, and participate in moot courts.
• Edit briefs and provide guidance on appeals in USTP field offices.
• Research and draft memoranda evaluating whether to participate in appeals, including Supreme Court cases.
• Provide recommendations to other government components on significant appeals.
• Develop guidance, programs, and procedures for USTP activities.
• Prepare and present material for training and conferences.

Skills

Appellate litigation

Constitutional issues

Brief writing

Oral advocacy

Moot court participation

Team leadership

Job description

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC), within the Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST) is seeking an attorney experienced in complex civil appellate litigation or complex civil litigation to provide expert legal advice and litigate complex civil appeals before federal appellate courts across the nation. The incumbent will serve as a civil appellate expert and will use his or her expertise to help OGC litigate roughly 100 appellate matters annually. Periodically, the incumbent will brief constitutional issues before federal trial courts. The incumbent will also craft administrative decisions.

As a Trial Attorney (Appellate Law), GS-0905-15, duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as a member of a cohesive and collegial team of experienced civil appellate attorneys based in OGC and reporting to the Associate General Counsel for Appellate Practice.
• Litigating complex and important civil bankruptcy appeals across the nation. Litigating constitutional matters before trial and appellate courts. The public's interest in these matters may be substantial. Writing appellate briefs, making oral arguments, and participating in moot courts in USTP appeals.
• Overseeing appeals that attorneys in USTP field offices litigate by acting as a resource, editing draft briefs, and providing guidance.
• Researching and drafting memoranda, which recommend whether to participate in appeals, including matters before the Supreme Court, based upon cases' importance, potential impact upon federal law, and other relevant considerations.
• Providing recommendations to other governmental components, including the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), about significant or novel appeals that the USTP is not litigating directly.
• Acting as a resource, including editing draft briefs, providing guidance, and participating in moot courts in appeals being argued by other Departmental components, including OSG.
• Implementing legal strategies in complex civil appellate matters to advance the policies and goals of USTP and the Department.
• Devising solutions to complex and challenging legal questions involved in USTP civil litigation and presenting them to OGC supervisors and EOUST Senior Leadership.
• Leading, organizing, and preparing material for training and conferences. Developing guidance, programs and procedures to govern USTP activities.
• Presenting USTP and Departmental positions to agencies, private sector organizations, congressional staff, and Departmental components. Addressing and resolving sensitive problems and helping develop guidance.
• Drafting administrative decisions to be issued by Senior Leadership.
• Providing technical advice and assistance, which may include active participation in novel cases.
• Drafting EOUST comments and recommendations on proposed changes to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Preparing congressional testimony. Tracking proposed rulemaking. Recommending action plans, guidance, and procedures. Drafting responses to congressional inquiries.
• Performing other duties as assigned.