Trial Attorney (Vaccine Litigation Section)

United States Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC seeks a Trial Attorney to prepare for hearings, conduct trials, and draft pleadings across complex cases.

The role emphasizes advocacy, legal writing, and strong negotiation and interpersonal skills. The position requires in-person work five days a week, with opportunities to engage in high-stakes tort litigation defending the United States and its employees.

Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D., be licensed to practice in any State, DC, or territory, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
• Post-law degree experience at the GS-13/14/15 levels is defined in the vacancy qualifications.
• Preferred candidates have advocacy, trial experience and strong legal writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepares for and conducts hearings, settlement negotiations, or trials of complex cases.
• Presents pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents based on research.
• Participates in pretrial/prehearing conferences and conducts trials or oral arguments.
• Examines filings for legal sufficiency and reviews submissions to ensure procedural compliance.
• Responds to inquiries from White House, Congress, agencies, and the public on applicable matters.
• Maintains close work with Division and Department officials on litigation and policy matters.

Skills

Advocacy

Legal writing

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

Hiring Organization

Hiring Office

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

AT-13100140-27-JS

Location: Washington, DC - United States

Location: Washington, DC - United States Application Deadline: Monday, November 16, 2026

About the Office

The Torts Branch defends the United States and its employees in litigation seeking monetary judgment for damages resulting from alleged negligent or wrongful acts. The Torts Branch is the principal guardian of the public fisc in tort suits that seek billions of dollars in monetary damages each year. The Vaccine Act is a critical component of our nation’s vaccination system and ensures that the very rare cases where people are harmed by covered vaccines, appropriate compensation is available.

Job Description

As a Trial Attorney, the incumbent:

• Prepares for and conducts hearings, settlement negotiations or trials of cases that may involve difficult and complex factual situations.
• Prepares memoranda such as pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents on the basis of factual and legal research.
• Participates in pretrial and prehearing conferences.
• Conducts trials or presents oral arguments in federal courts, state courts and administrative proceedings, as appropriate.
• Examines formal filings for legal sufficiency.
• Reviews submissions of party representatives to ensure procedural requirements are met.
• Responds to inquiries from the White House, Congress, federal departments and agencies, state and local authorities, and private individuals on matters within scope of assigned statutory responsibilities.
• Maintains personal contacts and works closely with officials and employees of the Division, officials and employees of the Department and other government agencies and the public on litigation and policy-related matters.

This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.

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. Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

• To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.

This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants with proven advocacy, legal writing, negotiation skills, interpersonal skills and ability to exhibit good judgment preferred. Trial experience is strongly preferred, although not required.

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.

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 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.