The Bureau of Consumer Protection and the FTC's Regional Offices investigate and litigate civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws.
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-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. 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. GS-15 Positions For attorney appointments: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. 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.
The positions are located in the Division of Enforcement, Division of Advertising Practices, Northeast Region, and Southeast Region. The Division of Enforcement monitors compliance with administrative and federal court orders entered in FTC consumer protection cases. These orders address a wide range of consumer protection issues, including advertising and financial practices, privacy, data security, high-tech fraud, business and impersonation scams, subscription billing and cancellation, and telemarketing. The Division conducts investigations of possible order violations; files civil contempt actions in federal court to enforce injunctions; and initiates court actions to obtain civil penalties for order violations. In addition, the Division leads the FTC's enforcement efforts for the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, "Made in USA" program, Green Guides (environmental marketing), and several other consumer protection rules and guides. The Division also coordinates FTC actions with criminal law enforcement agencies through its Criminal Liaison Unit. Finally, the Division oversees the Bureau of Consumer Protection's bankruptcy and collections programs. The Division of Advertising Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive advertising for a broad range of products and services, including: addiction-related services, foods, dietary supplements, and drugs including those marketed to treat, cure, or prevent serious diseases; emerging technology offerings, broadband providers, social media platforms, online ticket sellers, online travel sites, and products and services marketed to kids and teens. In addition, DAP enforces the Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, the Unfair and Deceptive Fees Rule, Contact Lens Rule, Eyeglass Rule, the Inform Act and the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act. The Northeast Regional office ("NER") located in New York City and and the Southeast Regional office ("SER"), located in Atlanta, have responsibility for the Commission's consumer protection mission. NER's and SER's consumer protection attorneys investigate and litigate cases to protect consumers against deceptive, fraudulent, and unfair practices across a broad range of products and services in both the traditional and digital economy. 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.