Trial Attorney (Federal Programs Branch)

U.S. Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Occasional travel

Job summary

U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Programs Branch, seeks trial attorneys to defend the United States in federal district courts across a broad range of cases.

Candidates must have a J.D. and be admitted to the bar, and be prepared to handle all phases of district court litigation, including depositions, discovery, briefs, motions, and trials.

Qualifications

• J.D. or equivalent degree and admission to the bar in good standing.
• Active bar membership in any State, territory, or DC is required.

Responsibilities

• Handle all phases of district court litigation, including depositions, discovery, and court conferences.
• Draft briefs, write legal documents, argue motions, and conduct trials.
• Communicate with client agencies, DOJ leadership, and opposing counsel on cases.

Skills

Advocacy

Legal writing

Motion drafting

Discovery handling

Deposition handling

Trial experience

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

Trial Attorney (Federal Programs Branch)

Hiring Organization

Hiring Office

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

AT-13039539-26-BLC

Location: Washington, DC 20005 - United States

Location: Washington, DC 20005 - United States Application Deadline: Thursday, November 12, 2026

About the Office

Federal Programs Branch seeks attorneys to defend the United States, Executive Office of the President, and federal agencies in cases challenging the legality of policies and actions brought in federal district courts. The Branch's work touches on almost all areas of government.

Job Description

Trial attorneys in the Federal Programs Branch are generalists who participate in significant, often high-profile litigation across a broad range of practice areas. Trial Attorneys are expected to handle all phases of district court litigation, including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, and conducting trials. As part of their work, Trial Attorneys communicate regularly with client agencies, Department of Justice leadership, opposing counsel, and others. Trial Attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Branch's and Department's mission of defending the interests of the United States.

Qualifications

Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

• To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year of legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have minimum (1) or more years post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.

Preferred qualifications

Applicants with proven advocacy and legal writing skills preferred. Experience drafting and arguing motions, handling discovery, taking, and defending depositions, developing expert witness testimony, and trying cases are highly desirable.

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;
• 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.

$85,447.00 to $197,200.00 Per Year; Unless you have prior federal experience, you will likely be appointed at step 1 of the applicable pay scale.

Travel

Occasional travel

Relocation Expenses

Not Authorized