Trial Attorney (Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation).

Duties The Branch is structured into two sections: an Enforcement Section that pursues cases under key consumer protection and public‑safety statutes, and an affirmative litigation Section that files lawsuits to ensure nationwide compliance with federal law against state, local, or private actors. Trial attorneys in the Branch play a central role on these matters—partnering with client agencies, leading investigations and litigation, and coordinating with Department leadership. Trial attorneys in the Enforcement Section enforce consumer protection laws that safeguard consumers’ health, safety, economic security, data privacy, and identity integrity. The Section tackles some of the most urgent enforcement challenges facing consumers, including harmful opioid products, unsafe food and drugs, deceptive trade practices, and data privacy violations. They investigate unlawful conduct and pursue enforcement actions nationwide, handling all phases of district court litigation, including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, and conducting trials. Recent cases include suits targeting sellers and distributors of unapproved vaping devices and 7-OH products, a suit against a company for failing to report dangerous and defective tools that injured hundreds of consumers, and injunction actions targeting entities that manufacture, sell, or distribute adulterated, unsafe, or deficiently labeled food, medical devices, and drugs. The Section also brings enforcement actions against some of the world’s largest corporations for unfair and defective practices that trap consumers in online subscriptions, collect and retain children’s personal information, and engage in deceptive data privacy practices. Trial attorneys in the affirmative litigation Section represent the United States by filing lawsuits against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with or obstruct federal policies, ensuring nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Lawsuits often involve claims that state and local laws are preempted by federal law or unlawfully regulate or discriminate against the federal government. Trial attorneys engage in all phases of district court litigation, including conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, and arguing motions. Aside from litigation, trial attorneys also prepare statements of interest or amicus briefs in cases in which the United States is not a party but nonetheless has a vested interest. The Section’s work touches on a wide range of issues impacting American consumers, including artificial intelligence, affordability, energy independence, public benefits, consumer goods, immigration, and public safety. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. citizen or national Must complete a background investigation to include drug testing All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law. May require completion of a 2‑year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.) May be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment and duty location. It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug‑free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Financial disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and federal ethics guidelines. Qualifications Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS‑11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year of legal experience. To qualify at the GS‑12 grade level, applicants must have minimum (1) or more years post‑J.D. legal experience. To qualify at the GS‑13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one‑half (1.5) years of post‑J.D. legal experience. To qualify at the GS‑14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one‑half (2.5) years of post‑J.D. legal experience. To qualify at the GS‑15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post‑J.D. legal experience. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Preferred Qualifications Strongly preferred applicants will have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills. Experience conducting investigations, drafting and arguing motions, handling discovery, taking and defending depositions, and trying cases are highly desirable. Preferred applicants will be highly motivated and exhibit sound judgment and creativity. Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with constitutional challenges and the enforcement of federal laws is strongly preferred. Trial Period Statement As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2‑year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct. The needs and interests of the agency. Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the government. Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Education All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre‑accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see the U.S. Department of Education website. OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of credibility of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at the relevant credentialing agency website. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional Information The division plans to onboard new attorneys by September 6, 2026, with recruitment incentives contingent upon the availability of funding. Because the onboarding process can be lengthy and funding is limited, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their completed application as soon as possible for consideration. Applicants approved for a signing bonus must sign a service agreement prior to onboarding, committing to a service period of two years or longer, depending on the candidate’s experience. Applicants who are currently employed by the federal government are not eligible for a recruitment incentive. Veteran Preference If you are entitled to or claim veterans’ preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at the Office of Personnel Management website. Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation such as the DD‑214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation. Applicants eligible to claim 10‑point preference must submit Standard Form (SF‑15), Application for 10‑Point Veterans’ Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. DOJ EEO Statement/Policy Reasonable Accommodation Statement Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. Schedule A DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to View email address on click.appcast.io , and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at the relevant Office of Personnel Management website. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non‑compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. #J-18808-Ljbffr Offices-to-go