What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Regional Counsel position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Atlanta, GA 30315 - United States
The legal practice at the Southeast Regional Office covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law, either through administrative channels or litigation in federal court. Issues include such matters as inmates' reasonable access to the courts (e.g., access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement (e.g., medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene & sanitation, and post-sentence administration (e.g., sentence computation and inmate discipline).
The position of Deputy Regional Counsel will provide legal, technical, and advisory services to the Regional Counsel, Regional Director, and serve as the legal and technical advisor to all regional Consolidated Legal Centers/institutions within the Region (see www.bog.gov for specific institutions and locations). The selected will directly supervise the attorneys and support staff in the Southeast Regional Office Consolidated Legal Center. The selected will be expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at these correctional facilities, particularly the Executive staff, and act on behalf of the Regional Counsel as needed. The selected will also be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts and agency officials. The selected will need to develop a thorough knowledge of all aspects of BOP policy and practice as he/she may be required to appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency's rationale for its correctional management decisions.
The selected will be expected to complete thorough legal research and well drafted written products, and timely review and edit attorney and support staff written materials. The selected will also supervise the administrative responsibilities of the Regional Office pertaining to requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act, and the Administrative Remedies program.
Applicant must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 4 years of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
Preferred qualifications: Prior and extensive experience in correctional law and/or federal civil litigation is preferred, but not required.
Applicants must submit a resume (not to exceed two pages), list of references, a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience) and a writing sample by January 2, 2026, to Latease Bailey-Close, Regional Counsel at lbaileyclose@bop.gov.
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.
Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-14 to GS-15.