Litigation Branch Attorney

Job Description:
Attorneys working in the Litigation Section apply their expertise, skills, and education to cutting-edge legal issues. The section handles a wide array of civil litigation involving issues and matters of national significance as well as claims brought against individual employees and officials, employment matters impacting critical agency operations and including complex class and collective action cases, and Freedom of Information Act litigation of requests seeking some of the FBI's most sensitive records. Attorneys work closely with Department of Justice Trial Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys across the country in defending the FBI in federal court litigation, and serve as first-chair litigators in employment discrimination and whistleblower reprisal cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and DOJ's Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management (OARM).
We are seeking experienced attorneys with diverse experience and perspectives to join our dynamic legal practice. We are looking for accomplished and well-rounded attorneys with strong communication (oral and writing), analytical, problem-solving, and litigation skills.
Major duties include-

• Serving as agency counsel to the FBI and its employees in defending civil, employment, and FOIA lawsuits filed in federal court; administrative claims; requests for testimony and documents; representation matters; and related areas.
• Working closely with DOJ Trial Attorneys and AUSAs to defend the FBI's interests in civil, employment, and FOIA litigation to include assisting in the taking and defending of depositions of FBI employees and others; drafting affidavits and declarations in support of motions, and otherwise assisting in the preparation of motions and briefs; managing civil discovery; and providing assistance at trial and in post-trial proceedings.
• Serving as first-chair litigators in employment discrimination and whistleblower reprisal cases before the EEOC, MSPB, and OARM. Conducting and responding to discovery requests; taking and defending depositions; writing and filing motions and briefs; engaging in settlement negotiations and mediations; and defending the agency in administrative hearings.
• Conducting legal research and writing analytical legal products.
• Providing expert-level advice and counsel directly to FBI executives, managers, and employees at all levels of the organization on myriad issues related but not limited to civil liability, employment, information access and protection, and privileges.
• Collaborating with DOJ attorneys and our litigating partners in other agencies and the U.S. Intelligence Community.

After six months of employment, Litigation Branch attorneys may telework, pursuant to Department of Justice policy, and subject to operational requirements, supervisor approval, and acceptable work performance.
Qualifications:
Key Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI clearance
• Selectee may be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• Selectee may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 annually.

Please be advised that candidates that are selected for this position must be approved by the Department of Justice.
Please make sure your experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements at the time of application.
Candidates deemed most competitive will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Governance and Legal Jurisprudence
• Analytical Thinking
• Communication
  
• Collaboration and interpersonal skills

Basic Requirement: All applicants must possess a law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member of the bar (any US jurisdiction).
Positive Education Requirement: This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic requirement by submitting both proof of JD degree and proof of good standing with a bar within a US jurisdiction. Please see the “Required Documents” under How to Apply for additional information.
Education: Applicant must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or have a LLM degree or other graduate law school degree in addition to a J.D.) and be an active member of the bar (any US jurisdiction).

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school, active bar status in good standing, and 1.5 years of professional legal experience post JD.
To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school, active bar status in good standing, and at least 2.5 year of professional legal experience post JD.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school, active bar status in good standing and have at least one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level or at least four years of professional legal experience post JD.
Examples of specialized experience include independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique or difficult legal issues; conducting highly complex counseling and litigation; and leading junior attorneys, paralegals, and support staff. Please identify in your written statement of interest/cover letter and resume any specialized experience in employment law, if applicable.