Summary
The Office of Foreign Litigation (OFL) is responsible for handling litigation in foreign courts in which the United States is a party or has an interest. OFL cases, which can be affirmative or defensive, civil or criminal in nature, are litigated in the courts of first instance, appellate courts, and supreme courts of foreign countries.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens
Duties
OFL is seeking experienced attorneys to work in the Washington, D.C. office. The incumbent will not litigate in court but will work closely with client agencies and foreign counsel to investigate and litigate civil and/or criminal cases abroad and/or advise and process individual judicial assistance requests, considering the legal issues that commonly arise in connection with such requests. The work with foreign counsel entails providing detailed instructions and advice relating to the handling of assigned matter. An important aspect of the position is to maintain close overall supervision of assigned matters and to develop appropriate litigation strategies that are consistent with the policies of the United States, the Department of Justice, the client agencies, the local law of the forum, doctrines of public international law, and the overall foreign policy and programmatic interests of the United States.
In addition, the incumbent will provide legal advice to other DOJ components, federal agencies, and U.S. embassies on a wide variety of issues involving current or potential foreign litigation, foreign and international law, and the impact of foreign and international law programs or activities undertaken abroad. Because foreign litigation impacts the foreign policy of the United States as well as other U.S. government policies and activities, the incumbent will closely coordinate with other agencies, including the Department of State and U.S. embassies abroad, regarding pending or potential foreign litigation.
Defensive cases handled by the office include employment, property, contract or tort litigation; criminal actions against U.S. officials acting within the scope of their duties; and other lawsuits challenging U.S. activities abroad. In addition to defensive matters, OFL conducts affirmative litigation, including civil litigation aimed at combatting fraud perpetrated against the United States, contract and other commercial claims, debt collection matters, and fighting cross-border fraud that targets American citizens, as well as affirmative criminal suits when the United States is a victim of a criminal act abroad. OFL has litigated in the courts of over 100 countries.
The Office of International Judicial Assistance (OIJA), which sits within OFL, acts as the U.S.
Central Authority for incoming requests for international judicial assistance to serve judicial documents or obtain evidence in civil or commercial matters. These requests for international judicial assistance are generally based upon, and require knowledge of, various treaties, including the Hague Evidence Convention, the Hague Service Convention, and the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory and Additional Protocol.
In addition to its Washington, D.C. office, OFL maintains field offices in London and Rome that are responsible for litigation in European countries and a field office in Panama that is responsible for litigation in Latin America. This announcement is limited to the Washington, D.C. office only.
Because OFL attorneys are not licensed to practice law in foreign jurisdictions, they do not appear in foreign courts. Instead, OFL handles litigation through the retention of foreign counsel who represent the interests of the United States in foreign proceedings. OFL attorneys closely supervise and instruct the foreign counsel with regard to litigation positions taken on behalf of the United States. The litigation handled by the office may involve issues of foreign law, as well as public and private international law, and covers the broad range of federal programs under which the United States operates abroad.
Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
- May require completion of a fourteen month trial period, pending the completion and adjudication of your background check.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
- It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
- Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two-year trial period.
Qualifications
Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least 2.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and 4 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen.
An exceptional academic background, experience in international law or foreign comparative law, and significant experience in investigating and managing complex litigation are desirable.
Applicants should have a strong interest in litigation, as well as excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. Excellent writing skills and good judgment are critical. Foreign language skills are desirable.
The incumbent must be comfortable in communicating with people, some of whom may have limited oral or written English skills or come from foreign cultures, and must be willing to adjust work schedules, as required, to accommodate international time zones and imminent deadlines. The successful applicant must be able to work independently.
All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications. Your application will be evaluated by a reviewing panel.
Please Note: The Selecting Official may select additional candidates if more positions become available within 120 days after the closing date of the vacancy.
Required Documents
- Cover letter
- Resume showing relevant experience.
- Writing sample (not more than 10 pages in length)
- List of references
- DD-214 and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample (not more than 10 pages in length), and list of references by email to: ForLit.Vacancies@usdoj.gov.
On the subject line, please put "OFL - Trial Attorney Application."
No telephone calls, please.
Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service (FedEx or UPS) to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Commercial Litigation Branch-Office of Foreign Litigation
1100 L. Street NW, Ste 8200
Washington, D.C. 20530
Attn: Ada Bosque, Assistant Director
Application materials must be received no later than 11:59 pm EST May 21st.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Next steps
Once the application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. All qualified applications will be sent to the hiring official for review. You will be contacted directly if an interview is desired.
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