The Office of Immigration Litigation - General Litigation and Appeals Section (OIL-GLA) is responsible for the nationwide coordination of all civil immigration litigation before federal circuit courts of appeals and nearly all litigation in the district courts. OIL-GLA is comprised of more than 360 attorneys, litigation support, and administrative professionals. The office is led by a Director, three Deputy Directors, and one Associate Director, along with a dynamic group of attorney managers.
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year post-J.D. legal experience. To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) or more years post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-11 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents. Persuasiveness, reasoned judgment, strong writing skills, initiative and creativity, complex case management skills, a collaborative orientation, and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards are highly valued. Preferred qualifications: Experience or interest in immigration law, trial work, and or appellate advocacy are highly valued, but not required. Trial Period Statement As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
As a Trial Attorney, the incumbent is responsible for: Coordinating with agency clients. Crafting litigation strategy. Conducting necessary pre-trial work. Drafting all complaints, motions, answers, and briefs. Participating in hearings, oral arguments, and court-ordered discussions. Engaging in settlement talks to advance government's interests. Making determinations about whether to seek panel, en banc, or Supreme Court/cert. review of adverse decisions. Substantially participating in further review briefing and argument. Handling attorney's fees litigation. OIL-GLA Trial Attorneys likewise contribute significantly as consultants on immigration-related inquires from Congress and the Department. OIL-GLA's litigation often involves high-profile matters, frequently entails short-fuse/emergency, fast-paced temporary restraining order litigation, and ordinarily requires analyzing substantially complex immigration, administrative, statutory interpretation, and constitutional law issues and principles. This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.