Trial Attorney - Land Acquisition Section (Open Continuous)

Justice Management Division; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 122,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy and Natural Resources Division seeks experienced civil litigators to join the Land Acquisition Section in Washington, DC. The role involves litigating federal land acquisitions, title review, and coordination with agencies for national priorities such as parks, military installations, and border infrastructure.

A strong background in civil litigation and post‑JD practice is preferred. Candidates should be prepared for first‑chair responsibilities and frequent court appearances, with

Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D. Degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Candidates should have post‑J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience per grade level: 1.5+ yrs for GS-13, 2.5+ yrs for GS-14, 4+ yrs for GS-15.
• Experience in litigation, administrative law, or environmental law is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Handle civil litigation and related matters in federal district court.
• Engage in pre‑trial discovery, motion practice, and oral arguments.
• Draft substantive motions/briefs and conduct depositions; participate in negotiations and trials.

Skills

Litigation experience

Administrative law

Environmental law

Education

J.D. degree

Bar admission

Job description

Summary

The Energy and Natural Resources Division is seeking experienced civil litigators for the Land Acquisition Section. This Section is responsible for acquiring real property on behalf of the United States through litigation, title review, and collaboration with agencies for purposes ranging from establishing national parks, expanding military installations, rebuilding energy and transportation systems, and facilitating border security.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT that will remain open until September 30, 2027. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, and positions will be filled when the need arises or as vacancies occur to meet immediate and future hiring needs. It will also allow the organization to maintain a standing pool of qualified applicants for Fiscal Year 2027.

Management may terminate this vacancy announcement early and without notice once a sufficient talent pool is established or authorized positions have been successfully filled.

The Land Acquisition Section (LAS) represents virtually every federal agency, in federal district court across the United States and its territories, tackling novel and complex civil litigation arising under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. LAS litigates condemnation cases to acquire real property for the United States for public uses including taking land into trust for tribes, expanding military installations, rebuilding federal courthouses, establishing national monuments, constructing border and immigration security infrastructure and land ports of entry, and maintaining the air traffic safety network throughout the United States. Our work safeguards the protection of the Fifth Amendment so that the amount of compensation for condemned property is fair to both property owners and taxpayers.

LAS also is responsible for ensuring the sufficiency of title for all real property that federal agencies acquire by direct purchase. For both litigation and title matters, the legal and factual issues are often complex and intellectually challenging and may include: the power of the United States to acquire land; ascertainment of the market value of property; and the physical, legal or financial feasibility of the potential uses of property. LAS also provides agencies with training and consultation during the planning process for major federal land acquisition projects.

Section attorneys are actively involved in every facet of our title work and cases from pre‑filing consultation with client‑agencies to discovery, motion practice, negotiations, and trial. On a day‑to‑day basis, our attorneys address case management issues, engage in case development, negotiate with opposing counsel, draft substantive motions and briefs, take depositions, present oral arguments, and conduct trials before juries, judges, and land commissions. Our attorneys work in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment, and consult closely with our client counsel as well as expert witnesses. LAS attorneys work in teams alongside our in‑house consulting appraisers and paralegals to develop successful and fair litigation positions.

The ideal candidates will bring a strong interest in federal litigation and trial work, and at least 2 years of post‑JD experience. LAS seeks to hire and cultivate talented trial attorneys and provides its lawyers with frequent and meaningful court experience in a variety of jurisdictions. Because of the nature of our docket, the ideal candidate should be comfortable in "first-chair" and supporting roles in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including pre‑trial discovery, motion practice, oral argument, and examination of fact and expert witnesses. The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, real estate and appraisal principles, and legal issues. Successful candidates will be hard‑working, intellectually curious, enjoy having primary responsibilities in sophisticated litigation, and proficiency in working with a wide range of experts. 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 and providing support and mentorship to less experienced attorneys.

In staffing our cases, we strive to create opportunities for our attorneys to constantly learn and grow. New attorneys will soon handle their own cases but will also be teamed with experienced co‑counsel on more complex matters, and will have access to substantive, on‑going training in every aspect of civil litigation and real estate law. In short order, attorneys author substantive motions and pleadings, argue in federal district court, take depositions, and conduct negotiations. The opportunity to participate in a trial typically occurs within the first two years of employment.

LAS is composed of exceptionally talented attorneys who enjoy a team‑oriented, collaborative work environment. The appraisers and paralegals we have are valuable resources, offering reliable help with a can‑do attitude. The Section cultivates an atmosphere of respect among colleagues who work together to advocate for the United States.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You must complete a background investigation to include pre‑employment drug testing.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
• You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit of salary.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below:

• At least 1.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level.
• At least 2.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level.
• At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level.

Experience in litigation, administrative law, and/or environmental law is highly desirable.

Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range for Washington D.C.:

• GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322)
• GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093)
• GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200)

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre‑accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Attorney positions within the U.S. Department of Justice are in the Excepted Service. Vacancies are filled using an alternative hiring process through an open continuous announcement. Appointments under this authority do not confer competitive status for transfer to the competitive service.

Veterans Preference

There is no formal rating system for applying veteran's preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however the Energy and Natural Resources Division considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive factor in the hiring process.

Suitability and Citizenship

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug‑free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

EEO Statement/Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non‑merit factor. More information can