The Legal Policy Office provides legal and policy guidance on complex trademark matters affecting USPTO programs and operations. The incumbent analyzes difficult legal issues involving statutes, regulations, treaties, and case law; conducts research; develops policy in response to new legal developments; advises agency officials; and drafts rules, comments, recommendations, and decisions for agency consideration.
You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at General Attorney Series, 0905. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service. For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-14. Qualified applicants should possess both specialized experience and professional/legal experience as listed below: Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience applying trademark law, policy, practice, and procedure relating to the examination of applications for trademark registration; and Experience developing examination policy and analyzing complex legal documents, including conducting legal analysis of procedural and substantive arguments from legal counsel or pro se parties in the area of trademark law; and Experience communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with senior-level officials. AND Applicants must possess a minimum of four (4) years of professional law/legal experience, post J.D. as described below: Professional Legal/Law Experience is defined as having experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled in the area. This experience is characterized by breadth and depth of experience in rendering professional legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters falling within the purview of a Federal government agency, private sector, law firm, or other organization; preparing interpretative and administrative orders, rules, or regulations to give effect to the provisions of governing statutes or other requirements of law; drafting, negotiating, or examining contracts or other legal documents; drafting, preparing formal comments, or making substantive recommendations regarding proposed legislation; editing and preparing for publication statutes enacted by Congress and opinions or decisions of a court, commission, or board; drafting and reviewing decisions for consideration and adoption by an organization or official; conducting investigations to obtain facts; determines questions of law; studies, analyzes and evaluates legal precedents, to present findings. Legal work is described as extremely complex and difficult and requires a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in balancing conflicting interests; has broad or wide-scope impact on an economy, industry, private or public interests; and may involve directly or indirectly very large sums of money. Work may also involve acting as principal attorney in charge of the preparation and presentation of cases; recommending policies and developing procedures and regulations to implement new or amended legislation; and acting as legal, general or senior counsel to a major firm or organization. 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. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year. As a legal policy office attorney advisor shaping trademark examination policy, rulemaking, and agency guidance, the individual selected for this position must ENJOY: Leading development and revision of trademark policies, procedures, and guidance, including updates to the TMEP and Trademark Rules of Practice. Advising leadership on complex legal issues involving statutes, regulations, treaties, case law, and proposed legislation affecting trademark operations. Drafting and reviewing administrative orders, formal correspondence, legal comments, and policy recommendations for agency consideration. Conducting in-depth legal research and analysis on trademark filing matters, register integrity, petitions, appeals, and related proceedings. Serving as a liaison to internal USPTO business units and stakeholders on trademark application, registration, and post-registration matters. Representing the USPTO in public forums, conferences, and outreach events by communicating policy changes and examination guidance. Designing and delivering presentations, training, and educational materials to support consistent application of trademark law and policy.