General Attorney (Trade Regulation)

The Bureau of Consumer Protection and the FTC's Regional Offices investigate and litigate civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws.
This position has an education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION The positions are located in the Division of Marketing Practices, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, and Western Region San Francisco.

The Division of Marketing Practices leads the Bureau's fraud program, filing actions in federal district court against entities perpetrating telemarketing, online, or high-tech frauds such as sham business opportunities, fraudulent investment schemes, and technical support scams. It also focuses on entities that facilitate frauds, such as payment processors, lead generators, and VoIP service providers, and directs the Bureau's Do Not Call Program. The Division fights fraud that targets or disproportionately affects particular segments of the population, such as lower-income communities, communities of color, older adults, and others.


The Division of Privacy and Identity Protection oversees issues related to consumer privacy, data security, artificial intelligence, and credit reporting. The Division enforces the statutes and rules within its jurisdiction, engages in outreach and policy development, and educates consumers and businesses about emerging privacy, AI, credit reporting, and information security issues, as well as identity theft prevention and assistance. BCP enforces consumer protection laws through aggressive litigation in a fast-paced environment. Attorneys get the opportunity to lead cases and take on primary responsibility for all aspects of the litigation.

The Western Region San Francisco (WRSF) plays an integral role in fulfilling the FTC's consumer protection mission by bringing law enforcement actions to stop unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices; building state and local partnerships; and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. WRSF's work covers the full breadth of the agency's enforcement priorities, including investigating unfair or deceptive privacy and data security practices; addressing illegal robocalls and telemarketing scams; pursuing deceptive advertising practices, and protecting consumers, including workers, from false information in the marketplace. Headquartered in San Francisco, WRSF serves the residents of Colorado, Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Utah.



As a General Attorney (Trade Regulation), you will:

- Make initial determinations as to whether matters should be investigated.
-Determine legal theories and plans for investigations and litigation and carry them out.
- Recommend whether cases should be closed, resolved informally or through administrative or federal court settlements, or litigated administratively or in federal court.
- Investigate matters and engage in all aspects of civil litigation, including preparing cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence; conferring with witnesses; deposing witnesses; drafting motions and legal briefs; drafting and responding to discovery requests; participating in pretrial conferences; examining and cross-examining witnesses; trying cases; and negotiating settlements.
- Prepare and prosecute difficult, complex, and important cases.
- Confer with government agencies, public authorities and attorneys, business people and other members of the public, providing them with information on matters of law, Commission procedure and policy.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency.


Additional Requirements

GS-12 Positions

For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-12 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-11 level.Qualifying experience at the GS-11 level include examples such as working on non-complex litigation matters and performing basic legal research, drafting, and legal analysis.

GS-13 Positions

For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-13 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-12 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-12 level includes work on moderately complex, novel, or broadly significant matters. This work entails solid drafting skills, original research, strong legal analyses, and effective oral communications.

GS-14 Positions

For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-14 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-13 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-13 level include independently planning, organizing and conducting analyses, based on preliminary background and policy information provided by your supervisor. Your written work is expected to be technically correct and not require detailed review. This work entails demanding legal research and analysis; drafting and reviewing motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, rule proposals, and memoranda; and, where appropriate to the office, participating in investigational hearings, negotiating settlements, and trials. You contribute to the tactical and policy decisions inherent in various matters and, where appropriate, you should be able to assist in the trial of these matters. You should be able take charge of moderately complex and novel matters, and make substantial contributions to the most complex, novel, or significant matters.

GS-15 Positions

For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-15 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-14 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-14 level includes being an outstanding writer and highly effective oral advocate. You must also exercise sound judgment, supervise, work well with, and motivate others, and make decided contributions to the work of the office. You must function independently and your work should not require close supervision or substantive review. The supervisor must have complete confidence in your judgment. At this level, you should be recognized for your competence. You should be able to represent the agency before any group or in any setting, and to effectively manage the preparation and trial of virtually any major case, or conduct evaluation and analysis of the most complex cases of major significance for which little if any precedent exists.

Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the Federal Government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience