GENERAL ATTORNEY (TR) (Antitrust Law Enforcement)

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

The American Competition Enforcement Division (ACE) is the Bureau's newest division, proudly building on a century-long history of exceptional competition work carried out through its regional offices. ACE's portfolio encompasses the full range of the Bureau's priorities, including the investigation and litigation of both conduct and merger matters. It also carries a specific mandate to strengthen cooperation with state attorneys general. This position is seeking attorneys to establish ACE's newest branch in Dallas, Texas.


Successful attorneys demonstrate strong initiative and the ability to immerse themselves in new industries and technologies, with excellent legal research, oral communication, and writing skills. They should also have practical business acumen and the ability to apply this knowledge within an antitrust legal and economic framework. Highly successful attorneys demonstrate the ability to work effectively with colleagues in a non-hierarchical team structure, exercise independent judgment, and exhibit commitment to the mission and work of the Bureau of Competition and the Federal Trade Commission. More specifically, incumbents will:

• Conduct all phases of antitrust merger or conduct investigations, including making initial determinations as to whether cases should be investigated further, identifying legal theories and plans for preliminary investigations, obtaining evidence from a variety of sources, and negotiating settlements.
• Confer with government agencies, public authorities, attorneys, businesspersons, and other members of the public to obtain information relevant to Commission investigations and to provide them with information on matters of law, Commission procedures, and policy.
• Prepare antitrust cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence, conferring with witnesses, participating in pretrial conferences, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and drafting legal documents needed during the various stages of litigation.
• Prepare internal documents for review by the Commission and perform special assignments as directed.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory - US, PR, DC.
• If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the two-year trial period.
• This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is represented by the National Treasury Employees Union, Local 344.
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Qualifications

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-12 Positions:
For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

To qualify for the GS-12 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-11 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-11 level includes examples such as working on non-complex litigation matters and performing basic legal research, drafting, and legal analysis.

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.

To qualify for the GS-13 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-12 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-12 level includes work on moderately complex, novel, or broadly significant matters. This work entails solid drafting skills, original research, strong legal analyses, and effective oral communications.

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. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-13 level

To qualify for the GS-14 level: Qualifying experience at the GS-13 level includes examples such as independently plan, organize and conduct analysis of the matters on which you are working, based on preliminary background and policy information provided by the supervisor. Written work is expected to be technically correct and not require detailed review. At this level, attorneys are journeymen attorneys whose work entails demanding legal research and analysis; drafting and reviewing motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, rule proposals, and memoranda; and, where appropriate to the office, participating in investigational hearings, negotiating settlements, and trials. Such attorneys contribute to the tactical and policy decisions inherent in various matters and, where appropriate, they should be able to assist in the trial of these matters. Attorneys at this level take charge of basic matters, moderately complex and novel matters, and make substantial contributions to the most complex, novel, or significant matters.

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.

To qualify for the GS-15 level: Qualifying experience at the GS-15 level includes examples such as being an outstanding writer and highly effective oral advocate. You must also exercise sound judgment, supervise, work well with, and motivate others, and make decided contributions to the work of the office. You must function independently and your work should not require close supervision or substantive review. Your supervisor(s) must have complete confidence in your judgment. At this level, you should be recognized for your competence. These attorneys should be able to represent the agency before any group or in any setting, and to effectively manage the preparation and trial of virtually any major case, all stages in the appeal of such a case, or conduct evaluation and analysis of the most complex cases of major significance for which little if any precedent exists.

Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the private sector or federal government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience/ requirements.

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.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

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 based on the overall strength of your credentials as demonstrated by your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and experience. The most qualified candidates will be selected for interviews, which will also be considered in making the final decision.

Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Federal Trade Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. If you are eligible for veterans' preference, you are encouraged to include that information in your cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214 or other substantiating documents) to your submission.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your résumé showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, Optional
• Writing Sample, Optional
• Graduate Transcript(s), if the position has an education requirement - REQUIRED
• Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF- 15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
• Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)

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