What are the responsibilities and job description for the Civil Division Attorney - Location Negotiable position at Civil Division?
The Civil Division is the largest litigating component of the Department of Justice, representing the interests of the United States in some of the nation's most significant civil litigation matters. Our teams handle cases involving constitutional law, national security, immigration, government programs, civil fraud, and other matters of critical public importance.
Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.
Preferred qualifications: The Civil Division seeks attorneys with strong academic credentials, excellent legal research and writing skills, sound judgment, and demonstrated civil litigation experience. Judicial clerkship experience is highly desirable.
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:
In the application questionnaire, applicants may indicate the offices for which they would like to be considered.
Federal Programs Branch (FPB): Attorneys in the FPB are at the center of some of the Nation's most consequential and high-profile litigation. Across a broad range of practice areas, Branch attorneys tackle complex legal challenges with significant national impact, managing all phases of district court litigation, including discovery, legal research and analysis, briefing, motion practice, and trials. Attorneys regularly engage with client agencies, DOJ leadership, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders while working independently and as part of teams to defend the interests of the United States.
Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation (EAL): The EAL protects the interests of the United States through affirmative litigation and enforcement actions. Attorneys in the Affirmative Litigation Section represent the United States in landmark litigation against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with federal law and policy. The Section challenges unlawful state and local actions, files statements of interest and amicus briefs, and advocates for nationwide compliance with the Constitution and federal law.
Civil Fraud Section: The Fraud section investigates and litigates some of the Civil Division's most significant cases and leads the Department's False Claims Act enforcement efforts. The Section handles major and multi-jurisdictional cases involving tens of millions of dollars, complex and novel legal questions, and significant enforcement policy matters. It coordinates civil fraud investigations across the Department, promoting consistency in enforcement policies and legal positions, and providing litigation resources, training, and supplemental staffing to U.S. Attorneys' Offices. The Section also manages agency relationships, leads the Department's health care data analytics program and other data initiatives, and houses the Elder Justice Initiative, which coordinates efforts to combat fraud and abuse involving seniors.
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): The RECA section provides compensation to individuals who developed certain serious illnesses following exposure to radiation from the U.S. nuclear weapons program, as well as to eligible survivors. Reauthorized in 2025, RECA is a unique federal program designed to provide compensation through a non-adversarial process rather than traditional litigation. Attorneys working on RECA matters help implement this important program and determine whether claims satisfy statutory eligibility requirements.
Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL): Attorneys in OIL are shaping the future of immigration law through some of the Nation's most consequential immigration litigation, representing the United States before federal district courts and the United States Courts of Appeals nationwide. OIL attorneys handle complex matters involving the immigration and nationality laws, including appellate litigation, detention, removal, constitutional claims, and other significant civil actions. They work closely with federal client agencies, United States Attorneys' Offices, and Department of Justice components on cases with nationwide implications, playing a critical role in advancing immigration law and representing the interests of the United States.
While the Civil Division has particular hiring needs in the sections identified above, the Division welcomes applications from talented attorneys interested in serving across its broad range of litigation practices. Well qualified applicants may be considered for opportunities in other sections based on their experience, expertise, and the Division's mission needs.
Appellate Staff
Aviation, Space, and Admiralty
Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation
Corporate Financial Litigation Section
Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch
Environmental Tort Litigation
Federal Tort Claims Act
Federal Programs
Civil Fraud Section
Intellectual Property Section
International Trade Field Office
National Courts
Office of Immigration Litigation
Office of Foreign Litigation
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
Tax Litigation Branch
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
Qualifications:
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. 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.
- GS-11: Up to one (1) year of legal experience.
- GS-12: At least one (1) year of post-J.D. legal experience.
- GS-13: At least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
- GS-14: At least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
- GS-15: At least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
Preferred qualifications: The Civil Division seeks attorneys with strong academic credentials, excellent legal research and writing skills, sound judgment, and demonstrated civil litigation experience. Judicial clerkship experience is highly desirable.
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.
Responsibilities:
The Civil Division is seeking talented attorneys to join all of its sections, with opportunities of particular interest in the Federal Programs Branch, the Office of Immigration Litigation, the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch, and the Fraud Section, as well as time-limited appointments in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Program. The Division strongly prefers to hire attorneys for positions in its Washington, D.C., location, as well as in New York City for its International Trade Field Office. However, the Division will consider exceptionally well-qualified candidates for positions outside of Washington, D.C., on a limited basis.In the application questionnaire, applicants may indicate the offices for which they would like to be considered.
Federal Programs Branch (FPB): Attorneys in the FPB are at the center of some of the Nation's most consequential and high-profile litigation. Across a broad range of practice areas, Branch attorneys tackle complex legal challenges with significant national impact, managing all phases of district court litigation, including discovery, legal research and analysis, briefing, motion practice, and trials. Attorneys regularly engage with client agencies, DOJ leadership, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders while working independently and as part of teams to defend the interests of the United States.
Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation (EAL): The EAL protects the interests of the United States through affirmative litigation and enforcement actions. Attorneys in the Affirmative Litigation Section represent the United States in landmark litigation against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with federal law and policy. The Section challenges unlawful state and local actions, files statements of interest and amicus briefs, and advocates for nationwide compliance with the Constitution and federal law.
Civil Fraud Section: The Fraud section investigates and litigates some of the Civil Division's most significant cases and leads the Department's False Claims Act enforcement efforts. The Section handles major and multi-jurisdictional cases involving tens of millions of dollars, complex and novel legal questions, and significant enforcement policy matters. It coordinates civil fraud investigations across the Department, promoting consistency in enforcement policies and legal positions, and providing litigation resources, training, and supplemental staffing to U.S. Attorneys' Offices. The Section also manages agency relationships, leads the Department's health care data analytics program and other data initiatives, and houses the Elder Justice Initiative, which coordinates efforts to combat fraud and abuse involving seniors.
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): The RECA section provides compensation to individuals who developed certain serious illnesses following exposure to radiation from the U.S. nuclear weapons program, as well as to eligible survivors. Reauthorized in 2025, RECA is a unique federal program designed to provide compensation through a non-adversarial process rather than traditional litigation. Attorneys working on RECA matters help implement this important program and determine whether claims satisfy statutory eligibility requirements.
Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL): Attorneys in OIL are shaping the future of immigration law through some of the Nation's most consequential immigration litigation, representing the United States before federal district courts and the United States Courts of Appeals nationwide. OIL attorneys handle complex matters involving the immigration and nationality laws, including appellate litigation, detention, removal, constitutional claims, and other significant civil actions. They work closely with federal client agencies, United States Attorneys' Offices, and Department of Justice components on cases with nationwide implications, playing a critical role in advancing immigration law and representing the interests of the United States.
While the Civil Division has particular hiring needs in the sections identified above, the Division welcomes applications from talented attorneys interested in serving across its broad range of litigation practices. Well qualified applicants may be considered for opportunities in other sections based on their experience, expertise, and the Division's mission needs.
Appellate Staff
Aviation, Space, and Admiralty
Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation
Corporate Financial Litigation Section
Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch
Environmental Tort Litigation
Federal Tort Claims Act
Federal Programs
Civil Fraud Section
Intellectual Property Section
International Trade Field Office
National Courts
Office of Immigration Litigation
Office of Foreign Litigation
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
Tax Litigation Branch
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
Salary : $85,447