Employment Type : Full-Time
The Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice is seeking 1 qualified, experienced attorney for a position in the Appellate Staff, located in Washington, DC. Appellate Staff attorneys represent the federal government in civil cases in the courts of appeals. Attorneys will personally brief and argue appellate cases, draft recommendations for the Solicitor General and other officials on litigation matters, and draft Supreme Court filings in civil cases. Due to COVID-19, if selected, you may be expected to telework for an undefined period under the Department’s evacuation authority, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Employees in this status may be notified of a requirement to report in person to the component workplace with an advance notice of not less than 30 days. Prior to a requirement to report to the workplace, employees may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the component’s telework policy. Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least two years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; have at least three years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in appellate work, excellent writing and analytical skills, and an exceptional academic background. Federal judicial clerkship experience is highly desirable. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by midnight, Eastern Daylight Time, on the listed closing date of this announcement. A complete application package must include: Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: civilappellate.vacancies@usdoj.gov. Please use "Appellate Staff Attorney Vacancy" as your subject line. Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to: No telephone calls, please. Applications must be postmarked by no later than the closing date of this announcement (applications submitted by e-mail must be received by midnight, Eastern Daylight Time on the closing date of 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. In particular, 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.
1. Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience). Address the cover letter to Mark Freeman, Director, Appellate Staff.
2. Résumé - Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
3. Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length).
4. If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division, Appellate Staff
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 7519
Washington, DC 20005
ATTN: Mark Freeman, Director