Trial Attorney (Constitutional Torts Staff)

United States Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division, Torts Branch, Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation, seeks a Trial Attorney (Constitutional Torts Staff) in Washington, DC to defend federal officials in personal-capacity litigation.

You will represent defendants, prepare motions and briefs, conduct discovery, participate in hearings and trials, and collaborate with senior attorneys on strategy and policy issues.

Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent).
• Be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Minimum post-law degree experience as listed for grade eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Represent federal officials in civil litigation in their personal capacity.
• Prepare motions, briefs, and other documents; conduct discovery; prepare for and conduct hearings, settlement negotiations, and trials.
• Review facts and assist in developing evidence; apply legal principles to facts; consult with senior attorneys on trial strategy.
• Work with opposing counsel on settlements; discuss legal questions with senior staff; report on case status to leadership.
• Establish contacts and collaborate with Division staff on litigation and policy matters.

Skills

Outstanding writers

Strong interpersonal skills

Good judgment

Federal court motions practice

Experience with individual clients

Dispositive motions

Discovery handling

Trial preparation

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. Degree

Job description

Trial Attorney (Constitutional Torts Staff)

Hiring Organization

Hiring Office

Torts Branch, Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

AT-13108725-27-JS

Location: Washington , DC - United States

Hiring Organization Civil Division (CIV) Hiring Office Torts Branch, Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation Attorney Appointment Type Attorney Permanent Job ID AT-13108725-27-JS Location: Washington , DC - United States

About the Office

The Constitutional Torts Staff seeks attorneys to defend federal officials who face individual-capacity litigation for actions they took on behalf of the United States. Trial Attorneys in the office personally represent both line-level and high-level officials facing potential personal exposure for carrying out law enforcement and other activities on behalf of the United States. Given the scope of individual-capacity litigation, the office's work touches on many areas of government.

Job Description

As a Constitutional Torts Staff Trial Attorney, you would:

• Represent in their personal capacity federal officials who are defendants in civil litigation and other matters brought against them in their individual capacity.


• Prepare motions, briefs, and other documents on the basis of factual and legal research. Conduct discovery. Prepare for and conduct hearings, settlement negotiations, and trials.


• Review and analyze facts and assist in the development of evidence during the preparation of cases.


• Receive instruction from the Assistant Director, Deputy Director, and Director as to the policy of the Department in related litigation. Apply the applicable legal principles to a given statement of facts; examine witnesses; consult with more senior attorneys in planning trial strategy for their cases.


• Work with opposing counsel in the formulation of settlements in consultation with more senior attorneys in the office.


• Discuss legal and policy questions related to statuses administered by the Section with more senior attorneys.


• Prepare memoranda that apply relevant statutory and regulatory authority and evaluate legal, factual, and policy considerations.


• Report on the status of cases and matters related to legal issues within the assigned area of litigation with the Assistant Director, Deputy Director, and Director, as appropriate.


• Work to establish personal contacts; work closely with officials and employees of the Division on litigation and policy-related matters.


• May assist with responses to inquiries from the White House, Congress, federal departments and agencies, state and local authorities, and private individuals on matters within the scope of assigned statutory responsibilities.


• As requested, perform special legal and administrative projects requiring legal experience and sound judgement.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), be a U.S. citizen. The minimum years of post-law degree experience commensurate with the grade level of eligibility is shown below.
Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

• GS-13 - minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience


• GS-14 - minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience


• GS-15 - minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience

Preferred qualifications: Applicants should be outstanding writers, have strong interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, and have an interest in litigation. Experience with federal court motions practice is preferred. The ideal candidate would be interested in developing expertise in all and have experience in at least one of the following areas: dealing with individual clients; asserting personal defenses by way of a dispositive motion; handling discovery; or preparing cases for trial. Applicants should enjoy working independently and as part of a team, feel comfortable in varied federal courtroom settings, and enjoy occasional travel. Applicants must exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with clients, staff, attorney supervisors, and Department officials.

Trial Period Statement

As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;


• the needs and interests of the agency;


• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and


• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

This and othervacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer 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.