About this role
Job SummaryThe Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section seeks attorneys to defend the United States, Executive Office of the President, and agencies in cases challenging the legality of policies and actions brought in federal district courts. Working in many areas of government. Well-qualified candidates may be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $25,000, with priority given to applicants in D.C., Raleigh, San Francisco, Dallas, and NYC. Strong applicants from any location are encouraged to apply.
QualificationsInterested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience. This is not a remote position. Well-qualified candidates may be considered for placement at any Department duty location nationwide, subject to management approval and agency needs. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Preferred qualifications: Applicants should have excellent writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, and have an interest in trial and appellate work. Aviation, space and/or admiralty litigation experience is strongly preferred as well as complex litigation skills, including experience with expert witnesses and e-discovery. Trial Period Statement As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Major DutiesThe Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section of the Torts Branch handles aviation, space, and maritime cases and claims. Client agencies include the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, all military services including the Navy and the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, NASA, NSA, and the Departments of State, Interior, Transportation, and Commerce. In its aviation practice, the Section defends the United States in wrongful death, serious personal injury, and extensive property damage actions arising from aircraft accidents. Federal activities giving rise to these lawsuits include air traffic control, military aviation operations, weather dissemination, charting of obstacles, operation of navigational aids, and certification of aircraft, airports, and air personnel. Since its establishment, the Section has litigated all commercial airline accident cases involving the United States, including the current litigation arising out of this year's D.C. midair tragedy. The Section is also responsible for litigation arising from space launch or space vehicle incidents; the Section handled litigation and claims arising from the Space Shuttle Columbia and Challenger disasters, for example. In its admiralty practice, the Section represents the United States in the government's role as ship-owner, regulator, and protector of the nation's waterways and maritime resources. Its admiralty litigation concerns collisions involving U.S. vessels and warships, grounding of vessels while using U.S. government-produced charts, challenges to the boarding of vessels on the high seas during national security and drug interdiction activities, and maritime-based pollution incidents, including oil spills. Affirmative admiralty actions seek compensation for damage to maritime infrastructure, damage to natural resources, and the costs associated with maritime pollution cleanups.