Chief Litigation Counsel

Summary

The Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking an individual to serve as Chief Litigation Counsel, which is a Senior Level Attorney position in its Torts Branch - Aviation, Space, & Admiralty Section.

Duties

The Aviation, Space, and Admiralty Section of the Torts Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice, seeks an exceptional attorney for its Chief Litigation Counsel position. The Branch's substantive work is organized into three subject-matter areas: (1) ASA handles a variety of litigation that falls under admiralty jurisdiction, including maritime tort, maritime contract, and vessel pollution cases including environmental actions such as those arising from vessel oil spills; (2) ASA handles a variety of aviation litigation, including litigation that arises from the government's varied activities in the regulation of air commerce, the operation of the nation's air traffic control system, and the government's operation of its own civil and military aircraft; (3) ASA handles a variety of litigation arising from space launch or space vehicle incidents. As Chief Litigation Counsel, you will serve as a lead expert on some of the Department's most complex and high-visibility litigation arising from one or more of these core subject-matter areas, in an extremely fast-paced environment. Though you may work across these areas as is necessary, you will lead and mentor attorneys and case teams and work closely with the most senior officials within the Branch and the Division. General duties may include: Litigating complex, high-visibility cases brought against the United States, including sensitive cases of substantial public and congressional interest; providing advice and making formal recommendations to the most senior officials in the Division and across the Department of Justice on district court, appellate, and other matters of interest; and developing key litigation strategies in complex and precedent-setting Torts cases; Acting as team lead on complex legal matters; providing counsel to the Director on issues of strategy for ASA; and providing advice to the Director on necessary training for attorneys and support staff; Analyzing and reviewing proposed and pending legislation that may be relevant to the work of the Torts Branch; Preparing appellate briefs and conducting arguments in the Court of Appeals, coordinating with the Appellate Staff of the Civil Division and the Office of the Solicitor General within the Department of Justice.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess at least 4 years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. Candidates must also demonstrate technical expertise in the following subject-matter areas on their two-page resume and in an interview. The incumbent is expected to be highly knowledgeable in the following areas. Demonstrated expertise and experience in personally handling exceptionally challenging and precedential cases that fall under aviation and/or admiralty jurisdiction. Demonstrated ability to review and ensure the highest quality of work product of attorneys in sensitive, controversial, and/or high visibility aviation, space, and/or admiralty litigation under short timeframes.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, have at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience, and be an active member of the bar in good standing a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. 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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

How You Will Be Evaluated

Evaluation will focus on the quality and extent of your accomplishments, experience, and education. Applications will be reviewed by a panel, and highly qualified candidates may be invited for an interview and reference check. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet at least one of the technical qualifications listed above. The Section seeks candidates who have expert knowledge in at least one of the three subject-matter areas that ASA handles, as demonstrated in the two-page resume and interviews.

Required Documents

Applicants who fail to submit all information and documents (i.e., resume not-to-exceed two-pages, and other documents as applicable) WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.

How to Apply

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Only experience obtained by the 11:59 pm EST closing date of October 13, 2026, of this announcement will be considered. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Complete Resume not to exceed two pages. If you are a current or former federal employee, please provide your last or most recent SF-50 (not an award SF-50) and if applicable, the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis (please refer to the "Required Documents" section for additional information). Recent Performance Appraisal (for current or former federal employees) Proof of active bar membership. Other supporting documentation as required. Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

What to Expect Next

Once your complete application is received, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. Applicants deemed minimally qualified will be reviewed by a panel, and highly qualified candidates may be invited for an interview and reference check.

Additional Information

EEO Policy Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Reasonable Accommodation: 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. Veterans Information Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions may be eligible for veterans' preference. For service beginning after October 15, 1976, the veteran must have served the required length of time and have a Campaign Badge, Expeditionary Medal, a service-connected disability, or have served in the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and January 2, 1992. The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) gives veterans access to job vacancies that might otherwise be closed to them. The law allows eligible veterans to compete for vacancies advertised under agency's promotion procedures when the agency is seeking applications from outside of its own workforce. To claim veterans' preference, veterans should be ready to provide a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof. Veterans with service connected disability and others claiming 10 point preference will need to submit Form SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. For more specifics on all veterans employment issues such as Veterans preference or special appointing authorities see the VetGuide. Legal and Regulatory Guidance Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number may be requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action. 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.

Candidates must possess at least 4 years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. Candidates must also demonstrate technical expertise in the following subject-matter areas on their two-page resume and in an interview. The incumbent is expected to be highly knowledgeable in the following areas. Demonstrated expertise and experience in personally handling exceptionally challenging and precedential cases that fall under aviation and/or admiralty jurisdiction. Demonstrated ability to review and ensure the highest quality of work product of attorneys in sensitive, controversial, and/or high visibility aviation, space, and/or admiralty litigation under short timeframes.