Senior Counsel (Detail Opportunity)

The Department of Justice, Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes complex criminal matters and assists the United States Attorney 's Offices in investigations, trials, and appeals. Senior Counsel in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General (OAAG) for the Criminal Division work at the center of the Division's most consequential policy, legislative, and strategic initiatives, helping shape how the Division communicates its work to Congress, Department leadership, and the public.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 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.

Grade Specific Qualifications:

• To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have at least one and a half (1.5) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least two and a half (2.5) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience handling federal criminal cases.
• Experience analyzing legal issues and making concise oral and written recommendations.
• Experience reviewing documents and responding to requests for information.
• Experience working with inter-agency processes and coordinating across offices and federal agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with high-ranking officials.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and analyze government initiatives and activities, gather and compile data, analyze problems, and prepare well-written, error-free work product.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, independent judgment, initiative, resourcefulness, and the ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities:

While this vacancy announcement expires 05/27/2026, the announcement may be closed at any time if a selection is made. This is a 6-month reimbursable assignment, with the possibility of extension with the approval of the originating and receiving component/agency. Applicants must be a current Federal employee and should receive supervisory approval before applying.

Senior Counsels are responsible for:

• Leadership support and counsel. Providing strategic support, advice, and assistance to the Assistant Attorney General, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, and the Deputy Assistant Attorneys Generals in the Criminal Division's Front Office, ensuring leadership has timely, accurate, and actionable information to advance Division priorities.
• Legislative affairs and congressional engagement. Coordinating the Criminal Division's legislative affairs work, including managing congressional correspondence, briefing congressional staff, and ensuring timely, accurate responses to inquiries from Congress on criminal cases, policy matters, and Division operations.
• Strategic communications. Drafting and refining testimony, hearing prep materials, policy papers, memoranda, talking points, and other communications to support the Division's engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
• Written-product review and quality control. Reviewing, editing, and quality-controlling a wide range of high-visibility written products - including press releases, correspondence, and reports - for accuracy, clarity, and consistency with Division and Department positions
• Cross-component and interagency coordination. Managing requests for information from Criminal Division sections, other Department components, federal agencies, and external partners, overseeing and ensuring timely and accurate responses.

Salary : $121,785