Trial Attorney

The Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division is seeking an attorney for the position of Trial Attorney to work on complex, pattern or practice investigations, litigation, and enforcement of settlement agreements and remedial orders that affect the constitutional and other federal rights of people with disabilities. These matters are sensitive, of high public interest and often involve working with disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups. 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. The attorney selected will be dedicated to the Section's Disability Practice Group which works to ensure that people with disabilities who are served in the public health system are not subjected to unnecessary institutionalization in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and that their rights are protected in publicly run residential institutions. The work is pursuant to the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control ("HCFAC") Program.

The Trial Attorney will be responsible for duties such as, but not limited to:
(1) personally handling and leading team members on sensitive and/or complex investigations, litigation, negotiations; monitoring/enforcement of systemic reform;
(2) working with the Section's management team to develop and establish strategies and priorities for disability-related enforcement;
(3) coordinating with other federal agencies to develop strategies for effective and efficient information sharing and case referrals; and
(4) conducting outreach to witnesses, victims, and those who are affected by the Section's work.

The Trial Attorney will be responsible for screening and developing new matters, conducting comprehensive investigations involving in-person visits, interviewing witnesses, working with experts, analyzing data, drafting written recommendations including legal analyses, litigating claims and negotiating, monitoring, and enforcing settlement agreements. Litigation associated with these investigations is typically complex, involving extensive discovery, pretrial motions practice, preliminary injunction hearings, trials, and post judgment enforcement and contempt proceedings. This position requires travel and may require extended hours. Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and possess the minimum years of post-professional law degree experience commensurate to the grade level of eligibility, as shown below. Applicants also must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have outstanding professional references.

Preferred Qualifications:

Given the nature and volume of this work, the Section generally seeks candidates with significant experience in complex litigation. Applicants with one or more of the following qualifications are preferred: (1) extensive civil trial experience; (2) extensive federal civil litigation experience; (3) experience with complex investigations and negotiations; (4) substantive knowledge of Olmstead, Medicaid, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable law; and (5) experience conducting outreach to a broad array of stakeholders. Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as charging parties, witnesses, respondents, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies are also preferred. Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

• GS-14 - minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience
• GS-15 - minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience