Closing Date: 25th June, 2026
Description:
General Job InformationJob Summary:
Located in the nation's capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends and provides legal advice to the District's government agencies, and protects the interests of the District's residents. This position is located in the Public Safety Division within the Mental Health Section.
The Public Safety Division handles all cases where young people commit a law violation in the District of Columbia and prosecutes selected adult misdemeanor cases. The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care. The Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between the young people who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested. The Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust. The Juvenile Section holds young people who commit crimes accountable, protects the community, and assists in the rehabilitation of those individuals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General seeks a trial attorney for the Mental Health Section of its Public Safety Division. Attorneys in the Mental Health Section perform the following duties:
Litigate probable cause, civil commitment, emergency, revocation, status, motion, guardianship, and Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) hearings, bench and jury trials before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and hearings before the Commission on Mental Health (comprised of a judge and two clinicians).
- Reviews information presented for legal sufficiency to determine whether a petition or other court filing should be completed. For this purpose, the incumbent reviews legal, clinical, and other documents, and communicates with client agency representatives and contractors.
- Prepares petitions, motions, legal briefs/memoranda, and other pleadings as appropriate.
- Prepares cases for litigation, which includes reviewing medical records, completing discovery, preparation of witnesses and exhibits, collection and organization of evidence, and interviewing expert and lay witnesses.
- Prepares and conducts probable cause hearings which are scheduled within 48 hours of the respondent's request for a hearing.
- Argues evidentiary hearings, status hearings, motions hearings, emergency hearings, bench and jury trials.
- Negotiates resolution of cases and determines, with the approval of the client agency and OAG supervisor, when continued proceedings should be dismissed.
- Prepare documentation and necessary court papers to implement negotiations and settlements.
- Provides legal advice for its client agency, the Department of Behavioral Health.
- Performs all functions related to case and calendar management, such as pretrial, motion, and trial scheduling, preparation of case transfer or close-out reports, case file entry updating, documentation of action taken or orders issued, timely preparation and service of filings, timely issuance of subpoenas, and any other administrative function associated with litigation.
- The attorney is responsible for keeping abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the function of programs and the recommendation of appropriate courses of action to the OAG.
- Compiles monthly statistical and status reports on cases assigned.
- Conducts training on mental health, guardianship and ERPO law.
- Cover Letter
- Résumé
- Legal Writing Sample
- Unofficial transcripts if the applicant has less than five years of experience (official transcripts may be required if selected)
- A List of Three References
Failure to Submit All Attachments Will Eliminate You from Consideration.
If Experiencing Issues Uploading Attachments Through the Careers Portal, Please Send the Required Documents to Oa Grecruitment@dc.Gov. Please Be Sure to Add the Job Id to The Subject Line. Failure to Submit the Required Documentation May Lead to Non-Consideration for The Position.**
Qualifications and Education:
Trial Attorney La-0905-12
The Successful Candidate Must Have at Least Two to Three Years of Relevant Related Specialized Experience. the Candidate Must Have Substantive Knowledge of District and Federal Law, Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills, and Outstanding Legal Research Skills. the Candidate Must Also Be Organized and Possess the Ability to Multi-Task in A Fast-Paced Environment. the Candidate Must Have Strong Interpersonal Skills and The Ability to Build and Maintain Working Relationships with Stakeholders at All Levels. Previous Experience Prosecuting Violent Felonies, Including Murder, Is Desired.
Trial Attorney La-0905-13
The Successful Candidate Must Have at Least Three to Seven Years of Relevant Related Specialized Experience. the Candidate Must Have Substantive Knowledge of District and Federal Law, Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills, and Outstanding Legal Research Skills. the Candidate Must Also Be Organized and Possess the Ability to Multi-Task in A Fast-Paced Environment. the Candidate Must Have Strong Interpersonal Skills and The Ability to Build and Maintain Working Relationships with Stakeholders at All Levels. Previous Experience Prosecuting Violent Felonies, Including Murder, Is Desired.
License and Certification:
The Incumbent Must Be an Active Member in Good Standing of The District of Columbia Bar or Have the Ability to Waive in And Be Admitted Within 360 Days of Appointment.
Other Significant Factors
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: La-0905-12
Salary Range: The Maximum Salary for This Position Is Negotiable up To $113,540 Depending on Qualifications and Availability of Funds.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: La-0905-13
Salary Range: The Maximum Salary for This Position Is Negotiable up To $142,961 Depending on Qualifications and Availability of Funds.
Number of Vacancies: One (1)
Type of Appointment: Legal Service – Regular Appointment
Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:30 Am - 5:00 Pm
In-Person Reporting with Limited Telework and Flexible Work Schedules Available upon Eligibility.
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This Position Is in The Collective Bargaining Unit Represented by Afge Local 1403
General Suitability Screening: The Selected Candidate Will Be Subject to A Background Investigation Including Reference Checks.
Residency Preference: Applicants Claiming "residency Preference” Will Be Required to Maintain Residency in The District of Columbia for A Minimum of (7) Years. Failure to Do so May Result in Forfeiture of Employment.
