Trial Attorney - Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch

About the role

The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch of the Department of Justice protects Americans' health, safety, economic security and data privacy through proactive enforcement and high-impact affirmative litigation. It seeks Trial Attorneys to handle a broad range of affirmative litigation, working with client agencies, leading investigations and litigation and coordinating with Department leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Enforcement Section: enforce consumer protection laws covering health, safety, economic security, data privacy and identity integrity, investigating unlawful conduct and pursuing enforcement actions nationwide
• Affirmative Litigation Section: file lawsuits against individuals, states, municipalities and other entities that obstruct federal policies, ensuring nationwide compliance with the Constitution and federal law
• Handle all phases of district court litigation, including depositions, discovery, legal research, briefs, motions and trials
• Prepare statements of interest or amicus briefs in cases where the United States is not a party but has a vested interest

Required profile

• U.S. citizen or national, with a background investigation including drug testing; male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must register for the Selective Service
• J.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited institution, licensed to practice as an attorney and in good standing on the bar
• GS-11: up to 1 year of post-J.D. legal experience; GS-12: 1 year; GS-13: 1.5 years; GS-14: 2.5 years; GS-15: 4 years
• Preferred: strong academic credentials, advocacy and legal writing skills, investigation and motion experience, judicial clerkship and familiarity with constitutional challenges
• May require a 2-year trial period and possibly a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility