Duties
About the Office
The United States Trustee Program (USTP) is a litigating component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders debtors, creditors, and the public. The USTP is a national program with 21 regions consisting of 89 field offices, and has broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authorities in bankruptcy cases, including chapter 7 and 13 consumer cases, family farmer chapter 12 cases, small business reorganizations, and complex chapter 11 corporate reorganizations. The USTP is the only participant in the bankruptcy process uniquely positioned to address multi-jurisdictional misconduct or other issues of national scope that give rise to systemic fraud and abuse, while also effectively combatting local matters affecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.
We invite you to visit the USTP's website for more information about the USTP and the Region 03 website for information on the USTP Philadelphia office. The City of Philadelphia website provides information about Philadelphia, PA.
The USTP offers a flexible telework policy, including four (4) routine telework days per bi-weekly pay period.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Job Description
The USTP is seeking an attorney experienced in litigation practice and bankruptcy law to oversee bankruptcy cases filed in the federal judicial districts covered by the Region and/or field office. This oversight would include litigating enforcement matters on behalf of the Program, overseeing private trustees, handling appellate matters, and referring criminal conduct identified in connection with bankruptcy cases. The Program seeks to hire talented Trial Attorneys and provide them with frequent and meaningful court experience on a variety of issues arising in bankruptcy cases.
The typical duties of a field office Trial Attorney include:
- Oversee the administration of bankruptcy cases filed in the judicial districts served by the Region and the field office;
- Litigate issues arising in chapter 11 proceedings, including those involving corporate governance, and issues arising in employment applications, fee applications, disclosure statements, and plan confirmation matters;
- Litigate civil enforcement matters arising in consumer bankruptcy cases, including discharge objections, dismissal proceedings involving debtors' ability to repay creditors, attorney misconduct matters, and non-attorney document preparation servicer misconduct;
- Assist with appellate matters arising in the Region and district;
- Partner with the Executive Office and the United States Trustee on issues of national importance to enhance the Program's mission locally, and to help develop and implement policies and strategies designed to faithfully execute a uniform application of bankruptcy law;
- Supervise private trustees in the Region who administer bankruptcy cases filed under chapters 7, 13, 11, Subchapter V, and 12 of the Bankruptcy Code;
- Work with Program bankruptcy Auditors, Paralegals Specialists, and support staff in the Region;
- Work with the Program's federal and state law enforcement partners to report criminal activity identified through bankruptcy case oversight;
- Provide outreach to interested constituents and those involved in the bankruptcy system, such as the bankruptcy court, the bar, and other federal and state agencies; and
- Work on other national projects and priorities, as assigned.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Application Process
This vacancy announcement is open to ALL U.S. CITIZENS. To apply, interested candidates must submit ONE (1) PDF document containing the following:
- A cover letter that highlights the applicant's interest in the position and details how all qualifications are met;
- A current resume that details months and years of education, employment, and earliest bar admission;
- A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer writing sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's work and includes legal analysis;
- DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Member 4 copy (if applicable);
- CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable).
Email the pdf document to: ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line Trial Attorney-Philadelphia-12-2024.
Evaluation Process
A panel of subject matter experts will review applications to determine how well a candidate meets the minimum position qualifications outlined above. If a candidate is deemed qualified, they will be contacted via email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee and those who fall into the best-qualified category will be considered for the position.
Initial appointment is conditioned upon passing a preliminary background investigation and is not-to-exceed fourteen (14) months. The appointment may require 120-day increment extensions until the full background investigation is complete. The appointment will automatically become permanent following the favorable adjudication.
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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
The application materials are required to be submitted electronically as a pdf file by all applicants (including attorneys currently appointed to positions in the Department of Justice) and emailed to
ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line
Trial Attorney-Philadelphia-12-2024.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
When addressing the specialized experience statement, applicants must present evidence of the experience in their resume. If the specialized experience statement is repeated, in the applicant's resume, Human Resources will deem the applicant as ineligible.
How to Apply
***** If you would like to be considered for the position of Trial Attorney (GS-0905-13/14/15), please submit your application to ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line Trial Attorney-Philadelphia-12-2024. *****
Note: The application materials are required to be submitted electronically as a PDF file by all applicants (including attorneys currently appointed to positions in the Department of Justice) and e-mailed to ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line Trial Attorney-Philadelphia-12-2024.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
No telephone calls please.
For more information about USTP, please visit our Web page at U.S. Trustee Program | U.S. Trustee Program
Relocation expenses or extended TDY will not be authorized.
Next steps
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships.
This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the links below:
Legal Careers | Trial Attorney | United States Department of Justice
https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/job/trial-attorney-135
For more information about USTP, please visit our Web page at: U.S. Trustee Program | Department of Justice