Trial Attorney

JOB SUMMARY

Located in the nation’s capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends, and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Public Safety Division within the Juvenile Section.

The Public Safety Division handles all cases where young people commit a law violation in the District of Columbia and prosecutes selected adult misdemeanor cases. The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care. The Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between the young people who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested. The Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust. The Juvenile Section prosecutes all juveniles for all offenses.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Trial Attorney, LA-0905-11, Trial Attorney, LA-0905-12

Trial attorneys engage in all aspects of criminal litigation, including interviewing and preparing police and civilian witnesses for trial, making charging decisions, researching legal issues, writing and litigating motions, managing all aspects of a trial calendar from intake through sentencing, and conducting community outreach.

• The successful candidate will evaluate juvenile cases to determine the appropriateness of plea offers. The candidate will determine what services to offer in plea offers to hold youth accountable for delinquent acts and help rehabilitate them.
• The successful candidate will prepare felony and misdemeanor juvenile cases for trial. This includes reviewing the case file to determine what evidence is discoverable, gathering evidence to use at trial, issuing subpoenas for victims and witnesses to appear at trial, and preparing victims and witnesses to testify at trial.
• The successful candidate will present cases in court. This includes presenting opening statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations, and presenting closing arguments. The successful candidate will conduct legal research, write motions, and argue motions in court.
• The successful candidate will also make recommendations to the court about the placement of youth, disposition of youth, and implementation and termination of court-ordered services. The candidate will be responsible for running a court docket.

HOW TO APPLY: Online Application must be completed in its entirety, along with the following submissions:

1) Cover letter

2) Résumé

3) Legal Writing Sample

4) Unofficial transcripts if the applicant has less than five years of experience (official transcripts may be required if selected)

5) A List of Three References

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL ATTACHMENTS WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM CONSIDERATION.

**If experiencing issues uploading attachments through the careers portal, please send the required documents to OAGrecruitment@DC.gov. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position.**

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

Trial Attorney, LA-0905-11

Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment. A minimum of one (1) year of specialized experience is required.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-11

Salary Range: The maximum salary for this position is negotiable up to $84,143 depending on qualifications and availability of funds.

Trial Attorney, LA-0905-12

Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment. A minimum of two (2) years of specialized experience is required.

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-12

Salary Range: The maximum salary for this position is negotiable up to $100,847 depending on qualifications and availability of funds.

Number of Vacancies: One (1)

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Legal Service – Regular Appointment

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

In-person reporting with limited telework and flexible work schedules available upon eligibility.

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 1403

GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.

RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, genetic information, or political affiliation.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Code § 2-1401.01, et. seq., (the Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL