Trial Attorney (T-ASA)

United States Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 98,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Torts Branch, Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section, seeks attorneys to defend the United States in complex federal district court cases involving aviation, space and maritime matters.

Positions require a J.D. and bar admission, U.S. citizenship, and progressively responsible post‑J.D. experience (GS‑12 to GS‑15 levels). Strong writing, negotiation and trial skills are preferred, with opportunities across trial and appellate work.

Qualifications

• J.D. required and active bar in good standing.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Minimum post‑J.D. legal experience varies by grade level (GS‑12 to GS‑15).
• Strong writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Defend the United States in aviation, space and admiralty cases in federal district courts.
• Represent client agencies (e.g., FAA, NASA, Navy) in litigation.
• Develop and implement trial and appellate strategies; manage complex discovery.
• Collaborate with federal agencies to advance agency litigation goals.

Skills

Legal Writing

Negotiation

Trial & Appellate Work

Interpersonal Skills

Education

J.D. Degree

Job description

Torts Branch, Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

AT-13105380-27-JS

Location: United States

Location: United States Application Deadline: Thursday, November 19, 2026

About the Office

The Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section seeks attorneys to defend the United States, Executive Office of the President, and agencies in cases challenging the legality of policies and actions brought in federal district courts. The branch's work touches on many areas of government.

Job Description

The Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section of the Torts Branch handles aviation, space, and maritime cases and claims. Client agencies include the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, all military services including the Navy and the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, NASA, NSA, and the Departments of State, Interior, Transportation, and Commerce.

In its aviation practice, the Section defends the United States in wrongful death, serious personal injury, and extensive property damage actions arising from aircraft accidents. Federal activities giving rise to these lawsuits include air traffic control, military aviation operations, weather dissemination, charting of obstacles, operation of navigational aids, and certification of aircraft, airports, and air personnel. Since its establishment, the Section has litigated all commercial airline accident cases involving the United States, including the current litigation arising out of this year's D.C. midair tragedy. The Section is also responsible for litigation arising from space launch or space vehicle incidents; the Section handled litigation and claims arising from the Space Shuttle Columbia and Challenger disasters, for example.

In its admiralty practice, the Section represents the United States in the government’s role as ship-owner, regulator, and protector of the nation’s waterways and maritime resources. Its admiralty litigation concerns collisions involving U.S. vessels and warships, grounding of vessels while using U.S. government-produced charts, challenges to the boarding of vessels on the high seas during national security and drug interdiction activities, and maritime-based pollution incidents, including oil spills. Affimative admiralty actions seek compensation for damage to maritime infrastructure, damage to natural resources, and the costs associated with maritime pollution cleanups.

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-12 - minimum 1 year of post J.D. experience
• 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 an interest in trial and appellate work. Aviation, space and/or admiralty litigation experience is strongly preferred as well as complex litigation skills, including experience with expert witnesses and e-discovery.

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;
• 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.

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.

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.

This position requires extensive travel.

Relocation Expenses

No