Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The staff attorney position is in the Court's Central Legal Staff, which is located in the Office of the Clerk of the Court. The duties and responsibilities of the position are performed under the general supervision of the Chief Staff Attorney and include, but are not limited to the following:
- Conducting conferences with the litigating parties, using mediation techniques, to explore the possibility of settlement or to narrow the issues to be briefed; to settle applications for attorney fees and expenses; and to resolve disputes over the content of the record on appeal;
- Analyzing case materials and drafting procedural orders for Judges and the Clerk of the Court;
- Responding to inquiries from Judges and others about Court cases, including screening appeals and petitions and researching and preparing memoranda of law;
- Performing other legal duties, as required.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Submit application and resume by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
- Provide all required documents by closing date.
- Direct Deposit is required.
- A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of fingerprinting and a background security investigation with favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
Qualifications
The selectee must have:
- A professional law degree (juris doctor (J.D.)) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member of the bar of the highest court of any state, the District of Columbia, or a territory, possession, or commonwealth of the United States within the meaning of 48 U.S.C. § 1904(e)(5).
- Progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Applicants must have two years of post-J.D. legal work experience to qualify for grade 12, three years of post-J.D. legal work experience to qualify for grade 13, or four years of post-J.D. legal work experience to qualify for grade 14. One year must be at, or equivalent to, the next lower grade in the federal service.
- Experience in veterans' benefits law is required.
Note: Mediation experience, a judicial clerkship, and experience in court operations or administration is beneficial but not required.
Educational Substitutions: A masters of law (LL.M.) degree is equivalent to one year of legal work experience.
Promotion Potential: This position will be filled at CS-12, 13, or 14, dependent on the successful applicant's level of experience. The position may have promotion potential up to CS-14 without further competition, subject to satisfactory performance and compliance with applicable Court policies.
Note: Selectee will be subject to a two-year probationary period.
Education
A professional law degree (juris doctor (J.D.)) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member of the bar of the highest court of any state, the District of Columbia, or a territory, possession, or commonwealth of the United States within the meaning of 48 U.S.C. § 1904(e)(5).
Educational Substitutions: A masters of law (LL.M.) degree is equivalent to one year of legal work experience.
Additional information
- The Court does not pay relocation expenses.
- Preference will be given to veterans; if the applicant is applying for a 5- or 10-point preference, the applicant must submit proof of eligibility with the application.
- This appointment is made without regard to Title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service. All appointments are excepted service.
- The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.
The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, or political affiliation.Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once your completed application package is received, we will conduct an evaluation and the selected candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for future consideration and possible interview.
Required Documents
- Cover letter;
- Resume;
- Completed OF 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment) (available on the Court's website at www.uscourts.cavc.gov under Employment);
- Self-edited legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages); and
- Two professional references (non-family members) with the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of those references.
See 'How to Apply' for instructions.
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.