Trial Attorney (Special Matters Section)

Offices, Boards and Divisions; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Department of Justice, Trial Attorney (Special Matters Section) in Utah, seeks an attorney with a J.D. and active bar membership. The role involves high-stakes civil and criminal litigation, complex privilege issues, and leadership of paralegals and staff in review of sensitive materials.

GS-14/GS-15 level qualifications apply; candidates should have substantial post‑J.D. experience and be prepared to manage demanding, high‑profile cases within the federal judiciary framework.

Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney
• Active member of the bar in good standing in any State, territory, or D.C.

Responsibilities

• Advise on legal matters and formulate recommendations to senior managers.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, and other court documents in civil or criminal litigation.
• Lead paralegals and support staff in reviewing potentially privileged materials.

Skills

Legal analysis

Litigation

Briefs and pleadings

Leadership

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

Document review platforms

Job description

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the links below: Legal Careers | Trial Attorney (Special Matters Section) | United States Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/job/trial-attorney-special-matters-section

Required 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.

Grade Specific Qualifications:

• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least two and a half (2.5) years post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in the law of legal privilege, including Attorney-Client, Work Product Doctrine, Spousal Privilege, and all exceptions to such privileges, including waiver and crime-fraud exception
• Experience supervising attorneys and support staff engaged in the review of potentially privileged materials
• Experience overseeing large-scale document reviews, including familiarity with document review platforms.
• Experience litigating privilege matters in federal or state court.
• Knowledge of white-collar litigation.
• Experience in supporting, litigating, and supervising federal or state criminal cases.
• Experience with the federal judiciary.