General Attorney (Assistant General Counsel)

Clarification from the agency

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the How to Apply section below.

About the Office:

The Justice Management Division (JMD) is the administrative arm of the Department of Justice, headed by the Assistant Attorney General for Administration (AAG/A). The JMD Office of the General Counsel (OGC) functions as "in-house" counsel to the AAG/A, JMD managers, and senior Department leadership on a wide variety of matters relating to the organization, management, and administration of the Department. See 28 C.F.R. §§ 0.75-0.77. OGC attorneys advise JMD and Department management in areas such as appropriations, agency organizational management, personnel, procurement, access to government records (FOIA and Privacy Act), security, and delegations of authority. OGC attorneys also represent the Department of Justice in bid protests at the Government Accountability Office, contract disputes at the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, employment discrimination matters at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and personnel matters at the Merit Systems Protection Board, and they assist litigating divisions and U.S. Attorney's Offices (USAOs) when JMD matters are in the federal courts.

Job Description:

The primary duty of this position is to provide legal advice to JMD officials regarding JMD's responses to requests for government records under the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. These requests may be submitted directly to JMD by the requester, or they may be the result of a referral or consultation request by another Department of Justice component. The incumbent also assists USAOs in the defense of FOIA litigation involving JMD in the federal courts. In addition, the incumbent reviews and provides advice regarding FOIA-related policies and the JMD FOIA program generally. This position plays a key role in ensuring that JMD's FOIA program performs at a high level in compliance with the law.
This position reports to a JMD Deputy General Counsel. The incumbent may also have significant collaborative interaction with the General Counsel, other OGC attorneys, the JMD FOIA Office, the Office of Information Policy, and managers throughout JMD and the Department. The work of the attorney selected for this position involves research, review, and analysis of relevant statutes, regulations, administrative and judicial decisions, Department policy, and other applicable authorities to ensure that JMD's FOIA and Privacy Act responses and litigation positions are legally sound.
The selectee may have opportunities to perform work in the office's other practice areas, as described above.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a two-year trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
• Selective Service registration is required, see the "Additional Information" section for full details.
• This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Secret Security clearance.

Qualifications

OGC is looking for candidates with experience and expertise related to the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. The Office is interested in candidates with demonstrated ability to efficiently and thoroughly research and incisively analyze a variety of complex issues; to express themselves clearly and persuasively in oral and written presentations; to exercise sound judgment; to manage a workload consisting of a number of varied projects, often with short deadlines; and to contribute to and work in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Applicants must be United States citizens, have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school, be an active member in good standing of the bar of any state (or the District of Columbia), and have no less than four years post-J.D. legal experience to qualify for the position at the GS-15 level.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Application Process:

To apply, interested individuals must submit an application packet including a cover letter (highlighting the applicant's interest in the position and detailing how the applicant meets the qualifications), résumé, list of references, a brief writing sample or part of a longer writing sample (not exceeding 10 pages) that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's work and includes legal analysis, proof of active bar membership, and the applicant's contact information. Applications should be sent to the attention of Michelle M. Allen, Staff Assistant, Office of the General Counsel, Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice by e-mail to: Michelle.M.Allen@usdoj.gov. Please no applications by U.S. mail and no phone calls.

Application Deadline: 08/06/2026.

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on your eligibility.

• Resume

Please see How You Will Be Evaluated section for all documents required for this announcement.

Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

• Official position title,
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (including month and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

Veterans' Preference documentation: If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit:
(1) a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service, OR

(2) a certification letter from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. This letter must contain (a) military service dates including the expected discharge or release date and (b) character of service.
If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference as a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, in addition to the documents specified above, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF-15, and if applicable, a completed SF-15.

College Transcripts - If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required, you must submit: An unofficial transcript containing a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award. Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your first day.

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