General Attorney (Procurement Law)

Are you a client-focused Procurement Attorney with experience advising on information technology, software, and systems acquisitions? Are you excited to work on cutting-edge legal issues in a collaborative office while advancing USPTO's intellectual property mission?

If so, then apply to join our team as a General Attorney (Procurement Law) in the Office of General Counsel, Office of General Law--we're excited to meet you!

Duties

The individual selected for this position will…

• Thrive as part of a diverse and talented office that advises on complex and interesting questions that are frequently on the cutting edge of acquisition law issues.
• Excel at providing legal advice on information technology procurements within the USPTO. Specifically, review and provide guidance on all tasks associated with source selection and contract administration, to include: market research, statements of work, contract specifications, solicitation packages, claims/disputes, and other contract documents for clarity and legal sufficiency.
• Thoughtfully analyze proposed and existing USPTO policies and procedures concerning source selection, supply chain risk, and contract administration.
• Enthusiastically research and analyze applicable laws, regulations, and guidance relating to federal procurement, to include the unique USPTO procurement authorities as outlined in the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (PTOEA) and the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG); and provide interpretations of those laws and regulations to the USPTO General Counsel and other USPTO officials and personnel.
• Zealously represent the USPTO in litigation involving USPTO contract awards or disputes. Act as the Attorney-of-Record for USPTO bid protests filed before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and assist the Department of Justice (DOJ) when protests are filed at the Court of Federal Claims. Represent USPTO in contract appeals filed before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) and assist DOJ when appeals are filed before the United States Court of Federal Claims or the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
• Considerately provide training to the Office of Procurement or other business units as needed on matters such as: source selection, contract administration, conflict of interest, procurement integrity, Small Business Administration acquisition rules/guidance, suspension and debarment, Foreign Ownership and Control, and supply chain risk.
• Impress with top-notch oral and written communication skills, creative problem solving, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to continual improvement.
• Be a flexible teammate, willing to support OGL's other general law functions as needed by providing legal advice and litigation services in other disciplines.

>> APPLY on USAJOBS by 6/18/2026

>> LEARN MORE about the USPTO's comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

You must possess at least (1) one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal service AND at least (4) four-years of professional legal/law experience post J.D. performing attorney duties as defined below:

Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience advising clients and/or representing clients in on federal procurement involving the purchase of information technology hardware, software, systems, and networks: to include source selections, litigation, drafting memoranda of fact and law, motions, pleadings, litigation reports and other legal documents, and/or reviewing policies, procedures and other agency publications for legal sufficiency.

AND

In addition to the required one-year specialized experience, applicants must possess four (4) years of Professional Legal/Law experience post J.D. performing attorney duties as defined on the job announcement on USAJOBS under the "Qualifications" section.

Education

You must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or Master of Laws (L.L.M) degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school and an active member of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution.

Qualifications

Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals and your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies. If selected, you will be required to pass a background investigation.

The full list of conditions and qualifications can be found on the USAJOBS posting.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.