Trial Attorney

About the role

The Natural Resources Section has one of the most dynamic and complex practices in the Energy and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, representing virtually every federal agency in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and state courts in novel litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes.

Responsibilities

• Challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act or the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
• Stewardship of national parks, forests, rangelands, wildlife refuges, and offshore resources.
• Balanced use of federal natural resources for varied uses, including mineral extraction, conservation, preservation, recreation, and commercial uses.
• Vital federal programs ranging from national energy policy to nuclear materials management to military preparedness.
• Original actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve boundary and water allocation disputes in the western part of the country.
• Real property claims arising under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which involve issues such as military readiness, transportation infrastructure, and flood control.
• The United States' trust relationship with Native Americans and Tribes.

Requirements

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants must have the years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal experience for the specific grade level requirements listed below:

• At least 1 year of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level.
• At least 1.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-13 grade level.
• At least 2.5 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-14 grade level.
• At least 4 years of post J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience to qualify for the GS-15 grade level.

Qualifications

• A strong interest in federal litigation, trial work and/or appellate work, and an exceptional academic background.
• Judicial clerkship experience and familiarity with defensive civil litigation is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Fifth Amendment takings, natural resource law, or Indian law is a plus but not a requirement.
• Demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.

Skills

Attorneys should be comfortable having primary or sole responsibility in multiple complex cases, and have demonstrated and substantial experience in civil litigation, including some combination of discovery, working with experts, drafting substantive briefs, engaging in negotiations and mediations, appearing in court to argue motions, and going to trial.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

Not specified.

Schedule

Not specified.