The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch brings affirmative litigation in courts throughout the country to protect Americans' health, safety, economic security, and data privacy. The Branch represents the United States by filing lawsuits to enforce consumer protection statutes and to ensure nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law.
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. Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience. Preferred qualifications: Applicants should also have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills. Experience drafting and arguing motions, handling discovery, taking and defending depositions, developing expert witness testimony, and trying cases is highly desirable, as are judicial clerkships. You must also be a U.S. citizen. 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.
The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch safeguards Americans' health, safety, economic security, and data privacy through proactive enforcement and high-impact affirmative litigation. The Branch's mission is to bring affirmative litigation to enforce federal laws and regulations, enjoin actions that conflict with or violate federal law, obtain declaratory judgments regarding the laws of the United States, and seek monetary penalties where appropriate. The Branch's work is overseen by two sections: the Enforcement Section and the Affirmative Litigation Section. The Enforcement Section brings affirmative litigation to enforce laws that protect consumers - whether it be from unfair and deceptive trade practices, unauthorized vaping products, defective consumer goods, or false and misleading claims about drugs and dietary supplements. Those laws include the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Controlled Substances Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act. The Affirmative Litigation Section represents the United States by filing lawsuits against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with or obstruct federal policies, ensuring nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law, including the Supremacy Clause. Trial attorneys in the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch are generalists who participate in significant, often high-profile investigations and litigation across a broad range of practice areas. Trial Attorneys are expected to handle all phases of district court litigation, including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, and conducting trials. Trial Attorneys also are expected to conduct investigations of violations of federal consumer protection laws. As part of their work, Trial Attorneys communicate regularly with client agencies, Department of Justice leadership, opposing counsel, and others. Trial Attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Branch's and Department's mission of advancing the interests of the United States. This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.