Chief Litigation Counsel

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 Branchs 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 governments varied activities in the regulation of air commerce the operation of the nations air traffic control system and the governments 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 Departments 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.

You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.

1. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
2. You will be required to obtain and maintain a final Top Secret. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in withdrawal of the job offer or removal.
3. It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and you may be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
4. Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department all Department attorneys are subject to a two-year trial period.
5. Selective Service registration is required for males born on or after December 31 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. You must be a United States Citizen or National.
6. Who may apply: This position is open to attorneys currently employed by the Department of Justice.

1. Demonstrated expertise and experience in personally handling exceptionally challenging and precedential cases that fall under aviation and/or admiralty jurisdiction.

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.

1. Demonstrated expertise and experience in personally handling exceptionally challenging and precedential cases that fall under aviation and/or admiralty jurisdiction.