Trial Attorney

Clarification from the agency

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page

About the Office

This position serves as a Trial Attorney, located in the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Security Division (NSD), in Washington, D. C. The mission of the NSD is to coordinate the Department's efforts in carrying out its core mission of combating terrorism and protecting national security. NSD is responsible for supervising the enforcement of all federal criminal laws related to counterterrorism and counterespionage, except those specifically assigned to other divisions. NSD also serves as the Department of Justice's liaison to the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) and represents the USIC before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. In addition, NSD advises the Attorney General regarding all matters of national security policy.

The incumbent may serve as a Trial Attorney in the Counterterrorism Section, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, or National Security Cyber Section of the NSD. As a GS-14 and GS-15 Trial Attorney, the incumbent provides advice, assistance and counsel to the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for NSD (OAAG) on a wide range of matters relating to the activities of NSD and the Department. The incumbent will present the views of the OAAG and other officials in correspondence and other communications with agency managers and program officials.

The position requires mastery of the legal profession, as the attorney will be expected to apply novel legal theories to issues; to make decisions or recommendations that significantly change, interpret, or develop important public policies or programs; and to serve as a recognized expert in the specialty area.

Litigates the most complex cases, as an expert in a specialized area of law.

Responds to matters arising during trial, recognizing opposition tactics designed to obscure the focus of the case.

May provide agency representation in direct negotiations and discussions with senior officials of states, counties, and cities throughout the country, and/or lawyers and high-level officials of some of the largest corporations in the United States.

Serves as an expert, providing advice and policy determinations in matters involving the planning, discussion, and coordination of activities related to the litigation of cases.

Responds to telephonic or written inquiries from U.S. Attorneys on matters of law, procedure, or policy in pending potential litigation.

Provides expert advice to others in preparing the most complex cases for litigation.

Serves as an expert in a specialized area of law preparing the most complex cases for litigation. Reviews and analyzes facts; conducts legal research; and oversees the preparation of drafts of pleadings, motions, briefs stipulations, affidavits, and/or other legal documents.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, and have at least four or more years of post-J.D. professional experience. Applicants must have superior academic credentials, possess excellent analytical and writing skills, and have the dedication and capacity to work independently in a very demanding environment. Past experience in the national security or intelligence field is not required but is preferred. Prior federal litigation experience is also strongly preferred.

Must be able to meet NSD suitability criteria for this position.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.

Failure to obtain or retain this level of security clearance and access will be grounds for reassignment, demotion, or removal from the Federal Service. Employee must successfully pass a urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and subsequent periodic drug screening thereafter.

Occasional travel is required, which may involve the use of commercial and/or government aircraft.

This position is MISSION ESSENTIAL. Most, if not all, essential job functions must be performed in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). The incumbent is required to report for duty, in person, as necessary, in an emergency (regardless of holidays, weekends, nights, furloughs) or conditions such as weather in which non-essential personnel are not expected to report.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Optional Narrative Statements:

The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment to public service to hiring managers and agency leadership. Although responses are optional and will not be scored, applicants are encouraged to address each question thoughtfully. Please limit each response to 200 words or fewer. At the beginning of your submission, please certify that the responses are your own work and that you did not use a consultant or any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or Copilot.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Evaluation Process:

A panel of subject matter experts will review applications to assess how well each candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Qualified candidates will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee, and candidates in the best qualified category will receive further consideration.

Required Application Documents:

• A cover letter explaining interest in the position and demonstrating how all qualifications are met.

• A current résumé not to exceed two pages, including months and years of education, employment, and earliest bar admission. Résumés longer than two pages will result in removal from consideration.

• A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's own work and includes legal analysis.

• DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 copy), if applicable.

• CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable.

Next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.