Attorney Advisor (Ethics)

Closing Date: 5th August, 2026

Description:

Summary:
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services to the Commission, ensuring that all agency actions comply with the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and related regulations. OGC represents the Commission in federal courts and before administrative bodies in litigation involving enforcement appeals, challenges to Commission actions, derivatives industry bankruptcies, employment matters, and other administrative proceedings.

Duties:
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking a highly skilled Attorney Advisor to serve in the General Law, Ethics, & Workforce Branch. As an Attorney Advisor (Ethics), you will:

• Carry out all aspects, programs, and activities of the CFTC's ethics program, including advising leadership, divisions, and employees on ethics requirements.
• Review public and confidential financial disclosure reports, conduct conflicts-of-interest analyses, and certify disclosures in accordance with governing regulations.
• Provide expert legal counsel on federal ethics laws and authorities, including:
• 18 U.S.C. 201 et seq.
• 5 C.F.R. 2634 et seq.
• CFTC supplemental ethics regulations
• Federal Vacancies Reform Act
• Hatch Act
• Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act
• 31 U.S.C. 1353
• Address exceptionally difficult legal or factual questions with broad policy impact.
• Provide legal interpretations and written opinions on complex ethics matters.
• Coordinate with program offices to ensure compliance with ethics rules, financial disclosure obligations, and training mandates.
• Serve as subject matter expert on ethics policy, conflicts of interest, and employee conduct standards.
• Support the Legal Division's broader mission by contributing to litigation analysis, rulemaking review, and administrative adjudication when ethics issues intersect with agency operations.
• Provide professional guidance to other attorneys and review designated assignments when cases or matters require coordinated legal work.
• Work collaboratively on a team to support other legal requirements as needed.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Favorable Background/Security Investigation
• Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be subject to a two-year trial period.
• Must be an active member of the bar in good standing.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas:

• Legal, Government, & Jurisprudence
• Ethics & Integrity
• Compliance & Enforcement
• Critical Thinking / Problem Solving

Qualifications:
Basic Requirement: All applicants must possess the following:

• J.D.; and
• Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty)

And

To Qualify at the CT-14 Grade Level: Candidates with a law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar membership and 4 years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school.

Relevant legal experience is defined as attorneys, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained after graduation from a law school. Legal and non- legal experience gained in the Federal government or private sector prior to completing a law degree cannot be used to satisfy the legal experience requirement. Work while in law school does not count.

Qualifying experience may include: Providing legal advice on ethics laws, financial disclosure requirements, conflicts-of-interest analysis, or employee conduct regulations.

Education:
Successful completion of a full course of study (J.D.) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see www.ed.gov.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional Information:
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Trial Period:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

This position is NOT a Bargaining Unit position.

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.

The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program (https://www.cftc.gov/careers/salary.htm) website for additional information.

The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

Additional Information:
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.

Benefits: