About this role
Job SummaryThe U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent Federal agency that provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; investigates and makes determinations in proceedings involving imports claimed to injure a domestic industry or violate U.S. intellectual property rights; and maintains the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
QualificationsApplicants must meet all of the qualification requirements, including education and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. Education may only be substituted in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must have the general and specialized experience outlined below which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. To be hired as an Attorney Advisor (Section 337), you must: possess at least a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND currently be a member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements above, applicants must meet the experience listed below: To qualify at the GS-14 level: Applicant must have at least four (4) years of experience which consists of the following: One (1) year of general experience which is defined as professional legal experience of a broad, general nature, not requiring specialization or expertise in a specific area or type of law AND three (3) years of specialized experience defined as professional legal experience in areas such as: federal district court and appellate litigation, Section 337, intellectual property law, including patent law and trademark law, federal administrative practice law; and/or experience interpreting statutes, regulations, court decisions and agency determinations related to the USITC's unfair import (Section 337) practice. To qualify at the GS-15 level: Applicants must have at least five (5) years of experience which includes the following: One (1) year of general experience which is defined as professional legal experience of a broad, general nature, not requiring specialization or expertise in a specific area or type of law demonstrates the engagement of general law practices; or experience and knowledge of legal theories, or principles, methodologies, and practices of the application of legal skills in a field closely related to the duties to be filled AND at least four (4) years of specific experience defined as professional legal experience in areas such as: federal district court and appellate litigation, Section 337, intellectual property law, including patent law and trademark law, federal administrative practice law; and/or experience interpreting statutes, regulations, court decisions and agency determinations related to the USITC's unfair import (Section 337) practice. 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.
Major DutiesThe General Counsel serves as the USITC's chief legal advisor. The General Counsel and the attorney-advisors in the office provide legal advice and support to the Commissioners and USITC staff on Commission investigations involving import injury (AD/CVD), safeguards (Section 201), and unfair imports (Section 337), and prepare briefs and represent the USITC before the U.S. Court of International Trade, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and USMCA binational panels for import injury appeals, and before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, for Section 337 appeals as well as before US district courts. The Office of General Counsel is looking for attorneys interested in supporting the Commission's work in its fast-moving Section 337 trade remedy investigations. In the Attorney Advisor (Section 337) role, you will: Provide expert legal analysis and advice in unfair import investigations that involve allegations that are primarily directed to intellectual property infringement, including patent and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, and other unfair acts in import trade. Prepare high quality memoranda, draft opinions, and analytical documents that need minimal revision. Develop and shape agency decision making on complex intellectual property and trade issues. Participate in the development of procedures and regulations implementing new or revised legislation and that improve the Section 337 process. Defend Commission determinations before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and federal District Courts, including the preparation of briefs and delivering oral argument as needed. Conduct deep analysis of legal and factual records to craft litigation strategies that protect the Commission's interests. In the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. International Trade Commission, you'll join a team of highly skilled attorneys devoted to excellence, integrity, and impact. You'll broaden your expertise across intellectual property, administrative law, litigation, and international trade - all while contributing to a mission that protects American innovation and ensures fair competition. This is challenging work with national significance - and a rare opportunity to do it in a supportive, collaborative, and intellectually rich environment.