This is an entry-level position located in the Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks, Trademark Examining Groups. This vacancy is developed for applicants seeking an Attorney Advisor position who: currently have a Juris Doctor (JD) , and either have plans to sit for the bar or are awaiting results from the bar.
Applicants must complete Bar Admission (Licensed and Sworn in) within fourteen (14) months of being hired in order to maintain employment. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not issued qualification standards for law clerk positions. USPTO sets minimum qualifications for law clerk positions and sets forth these qualifications in each vacancy announcement. To be eligible for this position, you must: 1. Be a U.S. Citizen or National 2. Meet the following education requirement: possess Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school (with active plans to sit for the Bar of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court Under the Constitution). If selected, the above qualifications must be maintained throughout the period of employment. 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 physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. This rewarding opportunity is ideal for you if: You're committed to being responsible for the complete ex parte examination of applications for the registration of trademarks to ensure compliance with the Trademark Act of 1946 and related statutes. You are excited to conduct preliminary review of applications which may pose complex factual and legal questions; analyze the record; evaluate facts; and determine questions of law. You have experience recommending approval of a mark for publication for opposition or draft the final position of the Agency. You're a collaborative relationship builder who looks forward to meeting with counsel in order to resolve issues that arise during examination. You are interested in preparing cases for ex parte appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. You have experience exploring alternative work methods and providing feedback to management on their effects on examination tools and performance. You're looking for an opportunity to test new technologies by assisting in the evaluation of innovative tools for trademark examination, such as artificial intelligence. You're committed to taking part in trials of new work structures and processes, while offering recommendations to management for streamlining operations and resolving issues. Applicants hired under this vacancy announcement (except in particular circumstances concerning current and former Federal Government employees with significant relevant trademark experience) will have their grade and pay set at the GS-0904-09 Step 01 grade level at $69,923 per annum. Upon ADMISSION TO THE BAR, the Law Clerk (GS-0904-09) position will be converted to the Attorney Advisor (GS-0905-11) position with a full performance level to the GS-14. Applicants who apply to this vacancy prior to being licensed as an attorney and are able to obtain licensure prior to the start date may be hired at the GS-0905-11 grade level. These positions are projected to start in April 2026.