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Trial Attorney

Office of the Solicitor General
Washington, DC Other
POSTED ON 4/17/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/29/2026

The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for conducting and supervising the federal government's litigation in the Supreme Court of the United States. The Office determines the cases in which Supreme Court review will be sought by the government and the positions the government will take before the Court. The Office also reviews all cases decided adversely to the government in the lower courts to determine whether they should be appealed and, if so, what position should be taken.

Qualifications:

  • J.D. degree, active bar membership.
  • Exceptional academic background.
  • Federal appellate clerkship or Supreme Court clerkship strongly encouraged.
  • Significant federal appellate litigation experience.
  • Broad experience in areas of law germane to federal governmental practice;6. Exceptional writing skills
  • Strong oral advocacy skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with less experienced attorneys, providing guidance and assistance.

THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AT THE TIME A HIRING DECISION IS MADE.


Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities for a GS-Trial Attorney- 905-15 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Work on merit briefs, petitions for writs of certiorari, jurisdictional statements, briefs in opposition, motions to affirm, papers relating to stays and other emergency relief, and other forms of motion practice before the Supreme Court.
  • Make recommendations as to whether the government should seek Supreme Court review in cases it has lost, whether the United States should appeal to intermediate appellate courts cases it has lost in the trial courts, and whether the United States should pursue rehearing en banc when cases are lost at the appellate level.
  • Prepare memoranda to the Solicitor General containing such recommendations and also memoranda discussing other legal problems as assigned.
  • Argue cases before the Supreme Court.

Salary : $169,279

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