Closing Date: 21st December, 2026
Description:
Summary:The Division of Market Oversight supports the CFTC's mission to promote the integrity, resilience, and vibrancy of the U.S. derivatives markets through sound regulation. The Division regulates derivative trade execution exchanges and swap data repositories.
Duties:
This position is located in the Products Compliance Branch (Branch) of the Division of Market Oversight (DMO) at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Products Compliance Branch reviews exchange product filings to help determine compliance with the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and Commission regulations, including susceptibility to manipulation given products terms and conditions and cash market fundamentals.
At the full performance level, the incumbent will serve as a senior attorney in the Products Compliance Branch performing the following duties:
- Review and analyze exchange product filings to ensure compliance with the CEA and Commission regulations for evaluating product design, underlying market conditions, and potential risks to market integrity.
- Conduct formal compliance reviews of exchange product filings, including product and amendments, and ensuring all filings are aligned with the CEA and Commission regulations.
- Perform legal analysis and remain abreast of current legislation as it relates to market trends and the impact on exchange product development, launch, and operations.
- Interact with exchanges and market participants for setting expectations, provide clear and concise regulatory requirements/instructions, and resolve deficiencies in filings.
- Conduct risk assessments for new or amended product filing to identify and prevent potential compliance concerns.
- Serve as a representative in the Product Compliance Branch on interdivisional projects and initiatives.
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.
Applicants are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as JD and/or LLM equivalent and Bar membership information (institution name, state for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will result in an incomplete application.
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)
To qualify at each grade level, you must have the following:
CT-11: You must have a Juris Doctorate (J.D). Degree and/or LLM equivalent, bar membership and 1 year of relevant legal practice experience, acquired post J.D., commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from 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.
Demonstrated skill in supporting the review process for product filing and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; and interact with market participants on meeting expectations and communicate clear regulatory requirements and interpretations.
CT-12: You must have a J.D. Degree and/or LLM equivalent, bar membership and 2 years of relevant legal practice experience, acquired post J.D., commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from 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.
Demonstrated skill in actively participating in the reviewing submissions for product filing and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; engage with exchanges and market participants on meeting expectations; provide communication on regulatory requirements and instructions.
CT-13: You must have a J.D. Degree and/or LLM equivalent, bar membership and 3 years of relevant legal practice experience, acquired post J.D., commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from 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.
Demonstrated skill in providing legal expertise in conducting formal compliance reviews and ensuring they are timely, consistent, and comply with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; engage with exchanges and market participants on meeting expectations; provide communication on regulatory requirements and instructions.
CT-14: You must have a J.D. Degree and/or LLM equivalent, bar membership and 4 years of relevant legal practice experience, acquired post J.D., commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from 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.
Demonstrated skill in providing legal expertise in conducting formal compliance reviews and ensuring they are timely, consistent, and comply with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; engage with exchanges and market participants on meeting expectations; provide communication on regulatory requirements and instructions; ability to function as a lead attorney and lead interdivisional projects and initiatives.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Selections may be made at any grade level.
Education:
Successful completion of a full course of study J.D. or LLM 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:
This is a Bargaining Unit position located i
Demonstrated skill in supporting the review process for product filing and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; and interact with market participants on meeting expectations and communicate clear regulatory requirements and interpretations.
CT-12: You must have a J.D. Degree and/or LLM equivalent, bar membership and 2 years of relevant legal practice experience, acquired post J.D., commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from 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.
Demonstrated skill in actively participating in the reviewing submissions for product filing and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; engage with exchanges and market participants on meeting expectations; provide communication on regulatory requirements and instructions.
CT-13: You must have a J.D. Degree and/or LLM equivalent, bar membership and 3 years of relevant legal practice experience, acquired post J.D., commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from 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.
Demonstrated skill in providing legal expertise in conducting formal compliance reviews and ensuring they are timely, consistent, and comply with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; engage with exchanges and market participants on meeting expectations; provide communication on regulatory requirements and instructions.
CT-14: You must have a J.D. Degree and/or LLM equivalent, bar membership and 4 years of relevant legal practice experience, acquired post J.D., commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from 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.
Demonstrated skill in providing legal expertise in conducting formal compliance reviews and ensuring they are timely, consistent, and comply with applicable laws and regulations; conduct legal analyses, and risk assessments; engage with exchanges and market participants on meeting expectations; provide communication on regulatory requirements and instructions; ability to function as a lead attorney and lead interdivisional projects and initiatives.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Selections may be made at any grade level.
Education:
Successful completion of a full course of study J.D. or LLM 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.
