Trial Attorney – Natural Resources Section (Open Continuous)

U.S. Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 102,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Justice, Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), Natural Resources Section, seeks experienced litigators in Washington, DC. The position is open-continuous with vacancies as needed and covers diverse environmental and natural resources cases.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be admitted to the bar, and be a U.S. citizen. Years of post-J.D. experience determine the appropriate grade level from GS-12 to GS-15.

Qualifications

• Must have a J.D. degree and be admitted to the bar in good standing.
• U.S. citizen or national is required.
• Years of post-J.D. litigation experience determine the appropriate GS grade level.

Responsibilities

• Handle a diverse civil litigation docket in federal courts and the Court of Federal Claims.
• Engage in discovery, draft briefs, negotiate, and argue in court.
• Collaborate with federal client agencies and expert witnesses in complex matters.

Skills

Legal research

Written advocacy

Oral advocacy

Education

J.D. degree (or equivalent)

Job description

Hiring Organization

Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD)

Hiring Office

Natural Resources Section

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

ENRD-27-001-EXC (6342)

Location: 150 M Street, NE

Location: 150 M Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002 - United States

About the Office

The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes.

The Natural Resources Section seeks experienced litigators in Washington DC and Denver, Colorado.

Job Description

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.

Much of our work involves challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Natural Resources Section (NRS) has a dynamic practice with a diverse docket and attorneys may choose to focus on brief writing or trial practice or both. On any given day, the Section's attorneys handle a vast portfolio of cases involving:

• Vital federal programs ranging from national energy policy to nuclear materials management to military preparedness;
• The balanced use of federal natural resources for varied uses, including mineral extraction, conservation, preservation, recreation, and commercial uses;
• The stewardship of our national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources;
• Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country;
• Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control; and
• The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes.

Because of the diverse nature of our docket, the ideal candidate should be comfortable having primary or sole responsibility in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including some combination of discovery, working with experts, drafting substantive briefs, engaging in negotiations and mediations, appearing in court to argue motions, and going to trial. The cases handled by the Section require attorneys to achieve intellectual command of complicated facts, scientific principles, and legal issues, often rapidly.

Successful candidates will be intellectually curious, driven, and possess the ability to harness technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. 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, learning from Section veterans, and providing support and mentorship to less experienced attorneys.

On a day-to-day basis, our attorneys address case management issues, negotiate with opposing counsel, write motions and briefs, handle discovery, take and defend depositions, present oral arguments, and conduct trials. Our attorneys work closely with both attorneys and program staff at our client agencies, as well as with expert witnesses retained to offer opinions in our litigation.

In staffing our cases, we strive to create work opportunities for our attorneys that allow them to constantly learn and grow by providing new challenges. We provide new attorneys with robust skills-based and substantive training. We also have exceptionally talented attorneys who are generous with their time to mentor. The group of paralegals and legal assistants we have are valuable resources, offering expert help.

Overall, the Section cultivates an atmosphere of respect among colleagues who work together to advocate on behalf of the United States.

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 year of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level.
• 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.

Applicants should have a strong interest in federal litigation, trial work and/or appellate work, and an exceptional academic background. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with defensive civil litigation is highly desirable and knowledge of Fifth Amendment takings, natural resource law, or Indian law is a plus but not a requirement. Applicants must demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.

Years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level.

The possible salary range for Denver, CO.:

• GS-12 ($ 99,800 - $129,742)
• GS-13 ($118,675 - $154,280)
• GS-14 ($140,239 - $182,316)
• GS-15 ($164,956 - $197,200)

The possible salary range for Washington D.C.:

• GS-12 ($102,415 - $133,142)
• GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322)
• GS-14 ($143,913 - $187,093)
• GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200)

Travel

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

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.