Trial Attorney (Special Matters Section)

Justice Management Division; Washington (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice's Fraud Division, Special Matters Section, seeks qualified attorneys for permanent Trial Attorney positions located in Washington, DC. These roles handle privilege and filter review issues, supervise teams, and advise prosecutors on strategic handling of privilege throughout investigations and litigation.

This posting is open until filled with rolling reviews; requirements include a J.D. and active bar membership, and GS-14 or GS-15 level experience.

Qualifications

• J.D. or equivalent, licensed to practice in any State, territory, or the District of Columbia, and active bar membership.
• GS-14 requires at least 2.5 years post‑J.D. legal experience, including specialized experience at GS‑13.
• GS-15 requires at least 4 years post‑J.D. legal experience, with specialized experience at GS‑14.
• Preferred: expertise in the law of legal privilege and related areas; experience supervising attorneys and support staff; experience with large-scale document reviews.

Responsibilities

• Litigates privilege and filter review issues before federal courts; writes pleadings and argues motions on privilege.
• Supervises teams of attorneys and paralegals reviewing potentially privileged materials.
• Advises prosecutors and federal agents on strategic approaches to privilege at all investigation and litigation stages.
• Develops and maintains policies to ensure compliance with ethical obligations related to privilege.

Skills

Legal analysis

Drafting pleadings

Civil & criminal litigation

Supervising attorneys

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Tools

Document review platforms

Job description

Summary

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:

About The Office

The Department of Justice's National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division") investigates and prosecutes those who commit fraud against the American people. We fulfill our mission by using advanced data-driven investigative techniques; coordinating with agencies responsible for administering taxpayer-funded programs; partnering with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement on fraud-fighting efforts; developing systems and processes that ensure efficient identification and investigation of fraud; and equipping prosecutors and law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to bring criminal actors to justice. The Fraud Division works every day to protect the financial integrity of the United States of America, ensure the vibrancy of the American economy, and seek justice for victims of fraud. This posting is for Trial Attorney positions within the Fraud Division's Special Matters Section. This announcement will be open until positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on or before October 21, 2026.

Job Description

The Fraud Division, U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking qualified and experienced attorneys for permanent Trial Attorney positions in the Division's Special Matters Section.

Generally, as a Trial Attorney in the Special Matters Section, the incumbent:

• Litigates issues of privilege and filter review protocols before federal courts by using the grand jury, writing appropriate pleadings, and arguing motions regarding privilege matters.
• Supervises and manages teams of attorneys and paralegals engaged in the review of potentially privileged materials.
• Advise Fraud Division prosecutors and their supervisors and federal law enforcement agents on strategic approaches to identifying and handling issues related to privilege at all stages of investigation and litigation.
• In collaboration with section managers, develops and maintains the Fraud Division's program to ensure that all prosecutors comply with their ethical obligations related to privilege, including developing litigation priorities, policy, and legislative recommendations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

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.

Education

Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree.

Salary

This is a permanent position at the GS-14 or GS-15 grade level. The salary range for this position will be based on the duty location. See OPM's Web page at

Number of Positions

One or more individuals may be selected from this announcement.

Travel

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Documents

Please refer to the link below for required documents.

Agency contact information

FRAUD Division
Email Address National Fraud Enforcement Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20530
US