Closing Date: 9th January, 2026
Description:
Summary:The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch brings affirmative litigation in courts throughout the country to protect Americans' health, safety, economic security, and data privacy. The Branch represents the United States by filing lawsuits to enforce consumer protection statutes and to ensure nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law.
Duties:
The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch safeguards Americans' health, safety, economic security, and data privacy through proactive enforcement and high-impact affirmative litigation. The Branch's mission is to bring affirmative litigation to enforce federal laws and regulations, enjoin actions that conflict with or violate federal law, obtain declaratory judgments regarding the laws of the United States, and seek monetary penalties where appropriate.
The Branch's work is overseen by two sections: the Enforcement Section and the Affirmative Litigation Section. The Enforcement Section brings affirmative litigation to enforce laws that protect consumers - whether it be from unfair and deceptive trade practices, unauthorized vaping products, defective consumer goods, or false and misleading claims about drugs and dietary supplements. Those laws include the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Controlled Substances Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act. The Affirmative Litigation Section represents the United States by filing lawsuits against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with or obstruct federal policies, ensuring nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law, including the Supremacy Clause.
Trial attorneys in the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch are generalists who participate in significant, often high-profile investigations and litigation across a broad range of practice areas. Trial Attorneys are expected to handle all phases of district court litigation, including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, and conducting trials. Trial Attorneys also are expected to conduct investigations of violations of federal consumer protection laws. As part of their work, Trial Attorneys communicate regularly with client agencies, Department of Justice leadership, opposing counsel, and others. Trial Attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Branch's and Department's mission of advancing the interests of the United States.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience.
The Branch's work is overseen by two sections: the Enforcement Section and the Affirmative Litigation Section. The Enforcement Section brings affirmative litigation to enforce laws that protect consumers - whether it be from unfair and deceptive trade practices, unauthorized vaping products, defective consumer goods, or false and misleading claims about drugs and dietary supplements. Those laws include the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Controlled Substances Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act. The Affirmative Litigation Section represents the United States by filing lawsuits against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with or obstruct federal policies, ensuring nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law, including the Supremacy Clause.
Trial attorneys in the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch are generalists who participate in significant, often high-profile investigations and litigation across a broad range of practice areas. Trial Attorneys are expected to handle all phases of district court litigation, including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, and conducting trials. Trial Attorneys also are expected to conduct investigations of violations of federal consumer protection laws. As part of their work, Trial Attorneys communicate regularly with client agencies, Department of Justice leadership, opposing counsel, and others. Trial Attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Branch's and Department's mission of advancing the interests of the United States.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Must complete and pass a drug test.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
- May require completion of a 2-year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.)
- Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation and may be required to obtain a clearance.
- It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
- May require completion of a fourteen month temporary appointment, subject to extension, pending the completion and adjudication of your background check.
Qualifications:
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience.
Preferred qualifications: Applicants should also have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills. Experience drafting and arguing motions, handling discovery, taking and defending depositions, developing expert witness testimony, and trying cases is highly desirable, as are judicial clerkships. You must also be a U.S. citizen.
Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will 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:
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education:
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
Or
Education Completed in Foreign Colleges or Universities May Be Used to Meet the Above Education Requirements if You Can Show that The Foreign Education Is Comparable to That Received in An Accredited Educational Institution in The United States. It Is Your Responsibility to Timely Provide Such Evidence by Submitting Proof of Creditability of Education as Evaluated by A Credentialing Agency with Your Application Materials. More Information May Be Found at Https://www.Ed.Gov/about/initiatives/international-Affairs/recognition-Of-Foreign-Qualifications
All Documentation Must Be in English or Include an English Translation.
Additional Information:
Veteran Preference: If You Are Entitled to Or Claim Veterans' Preference (vp), You Should Indicate the Type of Veteran Preference (5 or 10 Points) You Are Claiming on Your Resume. in Order to Determine Your Eligibility, You Can Find Additional Information At: Http://www.Opm.Gov/policy-Data-Oversight/veterans-Services/vet-Guide/.
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 Veterans' 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.Pdffor a Copy of Sf 15, Which Lists the Types of 10-Point Preferences and The Required Supporting Document(s).
Doj Eeo Statement/policy: Http://www.Justice.Gov/jmd/eeos/08-Eeo-Policy.Pdf
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies Must Provide Reasonable Accommodation to Applicants with Disabilities Where Appropriate. Applicants Requiring Reasonable Accommodation for Any Part of The Application and Hiring Process Should Contact the Hiring Agency Directly. Determinations on Requests for Reasonable Accommodation Will Be Made on A Case-By-Case Basis.
Schedule A: Doj Welcomes and Encourages Applications from Persons with Disabilities and Is Firmly Committed to Satisfying Its Affirmative Obligations Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to Ensure that Persons with Disabilities Have Every Opportunity to Be Hired and Advanced on The Basis of Merit Within the Department. Doj Also Encourages Eligible Schedule a Applicants to Submit Their Resumes to Resume@benderconsult.Com, and Reference "federal Career Opportunities" in The Subject Line. Additional Information Is Found At: Www.Benderconsult.Com.
Selective Service: If You Are a Male Applicant Born After December 31, 1959, You Must Certify that You Have Registered with The Selective Service System, or Are Exempt from Having to Do so Under the Selective Service Law. Additional Information Is Found At: Www.Sss.Gov.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless Otherwise Required by Law (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title5/pdf/USCODE-2022-tit
Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will 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.
Education:
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
Or
Education Completed in Foreign Colleges or Universities May Be Used to Meet the Above Education Requirements if You Can Show that The Foreign Education Is Comparable to That Received in An Accredited Educational Institution in The United States. It Is Your Responsibility to Timely Provide Such Evidence by Submitting Proof of Creditability of Education as Evaluated by A Credentialing Agency with Your Application Materials. More Information May Be Found at Https://www.Ed.Gov/about/initiatives/international-Affairs/recognition-Of-Foreign-Qualifications
All Documentation Must Be in English or Include an English Translation.
Additional Information:
Veteran Preference: If You Are Entitled to Or Claim Veterans' Preference (vp), You Should Indicate the Type of Veteran Preference (5 or 10 Points) You Are Claiming on Your Resume. in Order to Determine Your Eligibility, You Can Find Additional Information At: Http://www.Opm.Gov/policy-Data-Oversight/veterans-Services/vet-Guide/.
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 Veterans' 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.Pdffor a Copy of Sf 15, Which Lists the Types of 10-Point Preferences and The Required Supporting Document(s).
Doj Eeo Statement/policy: Http://www.Justice.Gov/jmd/eeos/08-Eeo-Policy.Pdf
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies Must Provide Reasonable Accommodation to Applicants with Disabilities Where Appropriate. Applicants Requiring Reasonable Accommodation for Any Part of The Application and Hiring Process Should Contact the Hiring Agency Directly. Determinations on Requests for Reasonable Accommodation Will Be Made on A Case-By-Case Basis.
Schedule A: Doj Welcomes and Encourages Applications from Persons with Disabilities and Is Firmly Committed to Satisfying Its Affirmative Obligations Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to Ensure that Persons with Disabilities Have Every Opportunity to Be Hired and Advanced on The Basis of Merit Within the Department. Doj Also Encourages Eligible Schedule a Applicants to Submit Their Resumes to Resume@benderconsult.Com, and Reference "federal Career Opportunities" in The Subject Line. Additional Information Is Found At: Www.Benderconsult.Com.
Selective Service: If You Are a Male Applicant Born After December 31, 1959, You Must Certify that You Have Registered with The Selective Service System, or Are Exempt from Having to Do so Under the Selective Service Law. Additional Information Is Found At: Www.Sss.Gov.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless Otherwise Required by Law (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title5/pdf/USCODE-2022-tit
