Trial Attorney (National Courts)

U.S. Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 122,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Courts Section of the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch at the U.S. Department of Justice seeks litigators to handle first-chair trial and appellate litigation representing the United States in the Court of Federal Claims, Court of International Trade, and Federal Circuit.

Attorneys manage their own cases, conduct discovery, write briefs, take depositions, argue at trial and on appeal, and may appear in other courts as needed. A J.D.

Qualifications

• J.D. required. Active bar membership in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Strong writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent the United States in first-chair trial and appellate litigation.
• Manage own cases at trial and on appeal, including discovery, depositions, and briefing.
• Appear in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. Court of International Trade, and the Federal Circuit; may appear in other courts as needed.

Skills

Excellent writing

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Education

J.D. Degree

Bar admission in good standing

Job description

The National Courts Section is one of the largest, oldest, and most active litigating sections in the Department of Justice. It is one of five sections of the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch. The Civil Division is regularly voted one of the top places to work in the annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government survey.

Job Description

The National Courts Section handles complex trial and appellate litigation involving government contracts, constitutional claims, procurement challenges, government pay and personnel suits, veterans' and other benefits appeals, international trade and tariff matters, and customs fraud enforcement. It is among the Department of Justice's busiest litigating components, conducting many trials and hundreds of trial and appellate court arguments each year. Attorneys primarily represent the United States in three forums, the Court of Federal Claims, the Court of International Trade, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, although depending upon subject-matter, attorneys may also appear in district courts and regional circuit courts, as well as the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. As an office with a national practice, travel should be expected.

The National Courts Section is seeking one or more litigators to represent the United States in all aspects of "first chair" trial and appellate litigation. At the trial stage, attorneys personally manage their own cases, conduct fact investigations, work with expert witnesses, serve and respond to written discovery, take and defend depositions, write all substantive and procedural briefs, conduct all aspects of trial, and present oral argument in the United States Court of Federal Claims and the United States Court of International Trade.

Attorneys also personally handle all aspects of appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, both appeals from the aforementioned trial courts as well as appeals from other fora that may have been handled outside National Courts at the trial stage. As noted, attorneys also occasionally handle matters within the Section's various areas of expertise in other Federal district and circuit courts, as well as in administrative tribunals. In addition, attorneys first‑chair alternative dispute resolution proceedings and settlement negotiations, and recommend settlements of litigation when appropriate. For larger cases, attorneys work collaboratively as members of trial teams. Whether handling trial cases and appeals as counsel of record or as part of a trial team, all attorneys work closely with counsel from Federal client agencies.

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 have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; exhibit good judgment, and have experience in trial work. Judicial clerkship experience is 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; 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.

$121,785.00 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.

Number of Positions

Many

Travel

Occasional travel

Relocation Expenses

Not Authorized