Senior Litigation Counsel

Closing Date: 25th September, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
The Section is soliciting applications from experienced attorneys for the position of Senior Litigation Counsel in Washington D.C. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a powerful aptitude for sophisticated litigation, facility in the legal analysis of novel and complicated issues, and the ability to harness leading-edge technology and litigation support in the preparation of cases. They will be expected to provide advice and guidance on trial strategy and trial advocacy as well as oversee the formulation of trial roadmaps and coordinate discovery. The candidate should have significant experience with complex emergency motion practice and handling some of the Department's most high-profile cases, including fluency with complex regulatory analyses, statutory interpretation and constitutional law.

The role also requires intensive trial work, including working with expert witnesses: identifying factual issues that require expert witness testimony, locating and retaining qualified expert witnesses, and coordinating and synthesizing the opinions of multiple expert witnesses and their reports across different specialties. Further, this position involves both impromptu and formalized mentoring of trial attorneys during case assignments and in environments specifically set aside for training. Training topics include substantive areas of law, as well as procedural best practices. The position also requires direct consultation with the ENRD Front Office and senior management of other DOJ divisions and federal agencies.

Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and be a U.S. citizen or national. This Senior Level position requires a minimum of 10 years of post-J.D. litigation experience.

You must meet the mandatory technical qualifications (MTQ) listed below. Please address the MTQs below by providing concrete and succinct examples of your experience that demonstrate the complexity of the experience you possess. Do not exceed one page per MTQ.

• Demonstrated expertise in natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource law and complex litigation involving statutes and areas of the law within the Section's portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing the work products of attorneys and providing advice and direction in handling complex litigation cases and projects.
• Demonstrated experience writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively and communicating effectively with various audiences.
• Qualifications must include a demonstrated record of complex case management, superb courtroom and presentation skills, excellent negotiation skills, outstanding legal writing, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. Experience litigating cases in the federal district court or the Court of Federal Claims is highly desired but not required.

Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Additional Information:
DOJ offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.

Veterans Preference Policy
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).:

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