About this role
Job SummaryWith nearly 1,700 attorneys, IRS Chief Counsel is the largest tax law firm nationwide. Our attorneys are among top tax law practitioners and some of the very best legal minds found anywhere. Together with the IRS, we serve the public by applying the tax code with fairness and integrity. After pausing hiring in 2025, we now seek new law graduates and experienced attorneys to join us. Click to learn more: IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site Meet Our People Learn about our Legal Divisions
QualificationsIn order to qualify for this position of General Attorney (Employment and Labor Law), you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Basic Requirements for General Attorney (Employment and Labor Law): Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. GS-12 Experience Requirements: 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise GS-13 Experience Requirements: 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus 1 year of professional General Legal Service (GLS) legal experience GS-14 Experience Requirements: 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus 2 years of professional General Legal Service (GLS) legal experience Professional General Legal Service legal experience is defined as: Experience involving litigation and complex legal questions relevant to personnel and labor law requiring extensive research, analysis, and evaluation. At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service for the grade you are applying to. Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience. Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in Employment and/or Labor Law may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
Major DutiesThe Office of Chief Counsel, General Legal Services (GLS) serves as in-house counsel to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Chief Counsel, providing legal services over a broad spectrum of non-tax matters including labor and employment, ethics, fiscal, appropriations, procurement, contracts, and technology. Work in the GLS Area Counsel field offices is focused on providing advice, support, and litigation representation for IRS and Chief Counsel management in administrative fora and in arbitration, with the majority of case work centering on labor, equal employment opportunity (EEO), and personnel law. The field offices also provide assistance to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in federal courts on such matters, as well as for suits against IRS employees, and may assist with processing claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act. As a General Attorney (Employment and Labor Law), you will: Provide legal advice on labor, employment, personnel, and EEO matters to the Office of the Commissioner of the IRS, Chief Counsel and components reporting to those offices. Provide legal representation to the IRS and Chief Counsel in cases before administrative fora, such as the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), hearings in Office of Professional Responsibility matters and in arbitrations stemming from IRS and Chief Counsel collective bargaining agreements. Provide advisory opinions and advice, both written and oral, on issues arising from labor-personnel and EEO matters, the interpretation of civil service laws and regulations, government representation, the Federal Torts Claim Act, and other related non-tax matters. Provide legal assistance and support DOJ and/or Assistant U.S. Attorneys in federal court litigation and appeals. This is not an all-inclusive list. If selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform the duties of the position and will receive training to help you grow in the position.