Trial Attorney

Description:

The Torts Branch is seeking multiple trial attorneys for its Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section. The trial attorneys are responsible for all aspects of representing the United States in actions brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act and a variety of admiralty and maritime laws. Specific duties include preparation of pleadings, pretrial discovery, researching, writing and arguing motions, alternative dispute resolution, and trial and appellate work.

Requirements:

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, and possess at least 1 year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. 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.

• To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have 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; 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.