General Attorney (Trademark Law)

About the role

The Office of the Solicitor acts as litigation counsel for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on intellectual property law matters and also works in collaboration with the Department of Commerce on interagency intellectual property law matters. The incumbent will have opportunities to brief and argue cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as manage and participate in litigation in other federal courts. The work is challenging, and the atmosphere is professional and collegial.

Responsibilities

• Defend decisions of the Director and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in federal district and appellate courts.
• Prepare and file amicus briefs on behalf of the Director on issues of importance to the development of trademark law.
• Coordinate with the Department of Commerce and the Department of Justice to assist the Solicitor General in intellectual property cases before the United States Supreme Court.
• Manage all aspects of litigations and appeals, including case strategy, motions practice, oral arguments, written discovery, depositions, and trial.
• Provide legal and policy advice to senior management and other offices within the Agency on trademark, copyright, ethics and disciplinary matters, including rulemaking, procedures, and proposed legislation.
• Handle trademark clearance and enforcement matters.
• Assist the Deputy General Counsel and the Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline in prosecuting practitioners charged with misconduct before an Administrative Judge (and, if necessary, defending those decisions in federal court).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements, including