Closing Date: 21st October, 2025

Description:

Summary:
The Torts Branch defends the United States and its employees in litigation seeking monetary judgment for damages resulting from alleged negligent or wrongful acts. The Torts Branch is the principal guardian of the public fisc in tort suits that seek billions of dollars in monetary damages each year. The Vaccine Act is a critical component of our nation's vaccination system and ensures that the very rare cases where people are harmed by covered vaccines, appropriate compensation is available.

Duties:
As a Trial Attorney, the incumbent:
  • Prepares for and conducts hearings, settlement negotiations or trials of cases that may
  • involve difficult and complex factual situations.
  • Prepares memoranda such as pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents on the basis of factual and legal research.
  • Participates in pretrial and prehearing conferences.
  • Conducts trials or presents oral arguments in federal courts, state courts and administrative proceedings, as appropriate.
  • Examines formal filings for legal sufficiency.
  • Reviews submissions of party representatives to ensure procedural requirements are met.
  • Responds to inquiries from the White House, Congress, federal departments and agencies, state and local authorities, and private individuals on matters within scope of assigned statutory responsibilities.
  • Maintains personal contacts and works closely with officials and employees of the Division, officials and employees of the Department and other government agencies and the public on litigation and policy-related matters.

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-13 grade level, applicants must have minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience.
  • To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience.
  • To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience.

Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff. Preferred qualifications: Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation and interpersonal skills and exhibit good judgment. Trial experience is strongly preferred, although not required.

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.

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.