USAJOBS · 1 day ago
Trial Attorney (Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch)
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$169K/yr - $197K/yr
4+ years expUSAJOBS is seeking experienced attorneys for the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch to engage in high-impact affirmative litigation that protects public health and safety while ensuring compliance with federal law. The role involves litigating significant matters, enforcing consumer protection statutes, and challenging laws that undermine federal policy.
ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch is seeking a Trial Attorney to represent the United States in a broad range of affirmative civil litigation
The Branch is structured into two sections: an Enforcement Section that pursues cases under key consumer protection and public-safety statutes, and an Affirmative Litigation Section that files lawsuits to ensure nationwide compliance with federal law against state, local, or private actors
Trial Attorneys in the Branch play a central role on these matters - partnering with client agencies, leading investigations and litigation, and coordinating with Department leadership
Trial Attorneys in the Enforcement Section enforce consumer protection laws that safeguard consumers' health, safety, economic security, data privacy, and identity integrity
The Section tackles some of the most urgent enforcement challenges facing consumers, including harmful opioid products, unsafe food and drugs, deceptive trade practices, and data privacy violations
Trial Attorneys in this Section investigate unlawful conduct and pursue enforcement actions nationwide
They handle all phases of district court litigation, including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, and conducting trials
Recent cases include suits targeting sellers and distributors of unapproved vaping devices and 7-OH products, a suit against a company for failing to report dangerous and defective tools that injured hundreds of consumers, and injunction actions targeting entities that manufacture, sell, or distribute adulterated, unsafe, or deficiently labeled food, medical devices, and drugs
The Section also brings enforcement actions against some of the world's largest corporations for unfair and defective practices that trap consumers in online subscriptions, collect and retain children's personal information, and engage in deceptive data privacy practices
Trial Attorneys in the Affirmative Litigation Section represent the United States by filing lawsuits against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with or obstruct federal policies, ensuring nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law
Lawsuits often involve claims that state and local laws are preempted by federal law or unlawfully regulate or discriminate against the federal government
Trial Attorneys engage in all phases of district court litigation, including conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, and arguing motions
Aside from litigation, Trial Attorneys also prepare statements of interest or amicus briefs in cases in which the United States is not a party but nonetheless has a vested interest
The Section's work touches on a wide range of issues impacting American consumers, including artificial intelligence, affordability, energy independence, public benefits, consumer goods, immigration, and public safety
Recent cases include a challenge to California cities over unlawful natural gas bans, a challenge to Illinois laws that provide benefits to illegal aliens that are not provided to U.S. citizens, and a challenge to California laws that drive up national egg prices and burden consumers
Qualification
Required
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Must complete and pass a drug test
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
May require completion of a 2-year trial period
Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation and may be required to obtain a clearance
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment
Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines
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
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation
Preferred
Strongly preferred applicants will have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills
Experience conducting investigations, drafting and arguing motions, handling discovery, taking and defending depositions, and trying cases are highly desirable
Preferred applicants will be highly motivated and exhibit sound judgment and creativity
Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with constitutional challenges and the enforcement of federal laws is strongly preferred
Benefits
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.
Company
USAJOBS
USAJOBS enables federal job seekers to access job opportunities across hundreds of federal agencies and organizations.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
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