Trial Counsel

Securities and Exchange Commission; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement, Trial Unit, seeks a Trial Attorney to develop, litigate, and conduct trials in federal courts and agency proceedings. This role presents opportunities to set legal precedent and influence enforcement outcomes.

You will handle complex matters with rigorous legal analysis, manage confidential records, and coordinate with multiple offices to ensure sound, timely outcomes in high-stakes cases.

Qualifications

• J.D. or LL.B. degree and active bar membership in good standing.
• Four years post-J.D. experience with identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, and preparing legal documents.
• Three years litigating complex civil or criminal cases in federal district court.
• Knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
• Accomplishment Record narratives addressing Legal Analysis, Critical Thinking, Record Development, and Program Management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, litigate, and conduct trials and hearings in federal district courts and agency proceedings.
• Provide legal analyses and recommendations; prepare pleadings and motions.
• Contribute to the SEC's enforcement mission and professional development.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal analysis

Critical thinking

Federal Rules of Evidence

Program management

Education

J.D. or LL.B.

Job description

The Division of Enforcement, Trial Unit is seeking a Trial Attorney (Trial Counsel). As Trial Counsel, you will develop, litigate and conduct trials and hearings of cases in federal district courts and agency administrative proceedings that present unique legal, evidentiary and policy challenges and present the opportunity to establish legal precedent, and monitoring decisions that impact the SEC.

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following:

• J.D. or LL.B. degree --AND--
• Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement.

SK-16:

Applicant must have at least four years post J.D experience identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as pleadings, and motions, which also includes at least three years: (1) Litigating complex civil or criminal cases in federal district court; (2) Knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

CCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES:

Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:

• Legal Analysis - Utilizes expert legal knowledge to apply relevant law to the facts of each case.
• Critical Thinking - Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case.
• Development and Use of Record - Strategically collects, analyzes, and organizes an evidentiary record.
• Program Management - Ability to develop and execute programs to deliver results that efficiently and effectively meet Agency's mission, strategic plan and goals, with little or no guidance.