Attorney Advisor (General)

Summary

Department of Justice (DOJ) agencies post experienced attorney job announcements on the DOJ Careers page.

The DOJ typically hires hundreds of attorneys each year.

Duties

The Diversion Law Section works with investigators across the country to bring administrative enforcement actions against individuals and companies in the pharmaceutical industry who handle controlled substances in a manner inconsistent with federal regulations; provides legal guidance relating to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); litigates complex matters in administrative court and coordinates parallel criminal and civil proceedings; provides legal guidance in the promulgation of regulations; reviews legislative proposals; and provides training to DEA personnel in this area of law. Attorneys in the Diversion Law Section may engage in litigation activities legal review activities or both.

For litigation attorneys duties also include:

• Representing the DEA in administrative hearings and civil litigation regarding license revocations denials suspensions regulatory violations or revocation of DEA Registrations for doctors pharmacies distributors and manufacturers.
• Providing legal advice on the enforcement of the CSA and the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act.
• Working with DEA Special Agents Diversion Investigators federal/state law enforcement and prosecutors on criminal civil and administrative cases.
• Advising Diversion Investigators and Special Agents on civil and regulatory issues during active investigations and drafting charging documents.

For legal review attorneys duties also include:

• Serving as legal advisor on all issues related to the diversion of controlled substances and listed chemicals into illegitimate channels.
• Advising DEA on its authorities under the CSA including drug and chemical control drug scheduling actions and quotas.
• Reviewing and providing legal advice on relevant legislation and agency policies.
• Reviewing rules regulations and notices relating to the legitimate handling of controlled substances and listed chemicals and evaluating them for compliance with the requirements of federal statutes including the CSA and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Top-Secret Security Clearance
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service
• Drug testing designated position
• Must be active member of a Bar Association
• Initial appointment is conditional upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprints credit and tax checks and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• Selectee will be required to serve a 1-year OR 2-year trial period as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement .

All applicants must be an active member of a bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction) and possess: 1) a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and have at least 2-year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience; 2) excellent academic credentials; 3) strong oral and written advocacy skills; 4) superior legal research and analytical skills; and 5) a demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.

Preferred Experience: Expertise in the Controlled Substances Act is preferred. For litigating attorneys experience in litigation and regulatory compliance is highly preferred. For legal review attorneys extensive knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act is required and knowledge of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) or training and experience in scientific areas such as biochemistry or pharmacology is highly desirable but not required.

To qualify for each GS Level:

• Applicants applying for the GS-13 must have 2 or more years of post J.D. litigation APA legal experience and/or a judicial clerkship(s). Experience with narcotics prosecutions or the Controlled Substance Act is preferred.

• Applicants applying for the GS-14 must have 3 or more years of post J.D. litigation APA legal experience and/or a judicial clerkship(s). Substantial experience with narcotics prosecutions or the Controlled Substance Act is preferred. Applicants should also have significant courtroom experience and/or advising leadership on legal or policy matters.

• Applicants applying for the GS-15 must have 4 or more years of post J.D. litigation APA legal experience and/or a judicial clerkship(s). Substantial experience with narcotics prosecutions or the Controlled Substance Act is preferred. Applicants should also have extensive first chair experience leading litigation teams and/or advising senior leadership on complex legal or policy matters.

Education

A J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. 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 these criteria see .

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the 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 provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials visit:

Additional information

All applicants for employment with DEA must possess and maintain the highest levels of character and conduct. DEA will evaluate applicants qualifications based on these qualities. Once a conditional offer is made DEA will conduct a continuous evaluation of information as it is obtained to ensure that the prospective employees with DEA meet the agency-specific qualifications in the areas of character and conduct. To this end an unfavorable decision in any of the areas that follow will be deemed as disqualifying: Drug Policy Requirements (as specified in this announcement) Credit History Candor and Honesty Work History History with the Law and other qualities that would detract from the integrity and efficiency of the DEA.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. 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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority