Trial Attorney-Office of Immigration Litigation

Trial Attorney-Office of Immigration Litigation Location: 450 5th Street NW, Washington, DC Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026 About the Office The Office of Immigration Litigation is seeking attorneys to work on the Department's most significant immigration cases, handling litigation in federal circuit courts of appeals and leading nearly all immigration matters in district courts nationwide. Well-qualified candidates may be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $25,000 with priority given to applicants in D.C., Raleigh, San Francisco, Dallas, and N.Y.C. However, strong applicants from any location are encouraged to apply. Job Description The Civil Division's Office of Immigration Litigation is responsible for all civil litigation arising under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA), as amended (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), and related statutes and regulations. The Office's work involves issues of pressing national importance. Immigration litigation is primarily defensive in nature, with the volume and character of the cases reflecting the varied personal, political, and economic circumstances that bring persons to the United States. OIL's central mission is federal court defense of agency action in immigration removal proceedings in aid of the Department of Homeland Security's immigration enforcement efforts, and federal court defense of individual and class action challenges to immigration laws and programs. Construction of the Office's current work can be categorized across five broad topics: programmatic immigration challenges, review petition challenges to final removal orders, habeas challenges to civil immigration detention in aid of removal, mandamus litigation compelling agency action, and affirmative denaturalization litigation. OIL likewise handles important matters arising under the INA's Terrorism Related Inadmissibility Grounds in support of national security. Trial Attorney responsibilities primarily involve coordinating with agency clients; crafting litigation strategy; conducting pre‑trial work; drafting complaints, motions, answers, and briefs; participating in hearings, oral arguments, and court‑ordered discussions; engaging in settlement talks; deciding on supreme court or certiorari review; handling attorney's fees litigation; and acting as expert consultants on immigration‑related inquiries from Congress and the Department. OIL's district court litigation often involves high‑profile matters, short‑fuse emergency temporary restraining orders, and complex immigration, administrative, statutory interpretation, and constitutional law issues. Appellate court litigation includes responding to motion for stays of removal, filing affirmative or dismissive motions, drafting complex appellate briefs, and appearing for oral arguments nationwide. Current and anticipated litigation includes defense of challenges to expedited removal procedures, defense of review petitions, defense of executive orders on border security, defense of habeas petitions under the Laken Riley Act, and defense of mandamus litigation involving agency delays. Given the Administration's focus on immigration enforcement, OIL's workload is expected to increase dramatically. The organization works closely with U.S. Attorney's Offices and provides support to all federal agencies involved in immigration regulation and removal under domestic statutes and national security concerns. Qualifications Applicants must possess a J.D. or equivalent, be licensed to practice law in any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS‑15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post‑J.D. legal experience. Preferred qualifications: excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; good judgment; experience in trial work; and desirable judicial clerkship experience. Trial Period Statement As a condition of employment, a 2‑year trial period will be conducted. During this period performance and conduct, the agency's needs and interests, organizational goals, and federal service efficiency will be evaluated. Certification of continued employment will be provided in writing if the employee is found to advance the public interest. performance and conduct; needs and interests of the agency; advancement of organizational goals or the Government; and efficiency of the Federal service. Salary $147,945.00 to $197,200.00 per year; salary will be set based on duty location and applicable locality pay rate at the time of appointment. Number of Positions Many Travel Occasional Relocation Expenses None #J-18808-Ljbffr The United States Department of Justice