Senior Level Attorney

Summary The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), under delegation from the Attorney General, provides authoritative legal advice to the President and all executive branch agencies. OLC drafts formal legal opinions, resolves complex and interagency legal disputes, and reviews the constitutionality of pending legislation. The Senior Counsel serves in OLC, which is led by an Assistant Attorney General who supports the Attorney General in overseeing DOJ operations and advising executive departments and agencies. Duties *Note: This is a Senior Level position (SL). Most senior level employees are in non-executive positions whose duties are broad and complex enough to be classified above GS-15. The position duties are primarily leading teams and projects, and do not meet the SES functional criteria. The incumbent of this position has wide experience, knowledge, and achievements in the field of national security law, as well as administrative and constitutional law. The incumbent's expertise in national security law includes, but is not limited to, surveillance statutes, cyber law, and the provisions of the Constitution bearing on national security questions. Advises, orally and in writing, about questions under the surveillance and cyber statutes, such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Stored Communications Act; other statutes bearing on the national security, besides those statutes dealing with surveillance and cyber matters; executive orders, such as Executive Order 12333; and constitutional provisions, such as the Fourth Amendment. The incumbent personally handles these matters and occasionally directs a team of attorneys. Provides a wide knowledge and experience in these fields a well as others in more general practice of the Office. Other areas of knowledge and expertise may include the separation of powers, administrative law, appointments and removals, and congressional oversight. Familiar with how questions in all of these fields are handled in the context of Executive Orders and proposed legislation. Consults with senior lawyers in other components of the Department, the Office of the Legal Advisor to the National Security Council, and in General Counsel offices in the Executive Branch. Leads special projects and initiatives, as assigned by a Deputy Assistant Attorney General, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, or the Assistant Attorney General for OLC. Ensures compliance with Departmental policies, regulations, and applicable laws. Requirements Conditions of employment Conditions of Employment: You must be a United States Citizen or National. You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position. You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines. You may be required to complete a one-or two-year probationary period You must have a JD degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and 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. You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met. DOJ uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, by visiting www.e-verify.gov/. Qualifications The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. Applicants must show clear evidence of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) embedded within their resume. The resume-based application should not to exceed 2 pages (1-sheet double-sided or 2 sheets one-sided) MTQ 1: Demonstrated experience with, and knowledge about, statutes bearing on the national security, such as those dealing with cyber and surveillance matters; national security issues arising under the Constitution; and executive orders or directives dealing with national security issues. MTQ 2: Demonstrated experience in other areas of the Office's practice, such as separation of powers, administrative law, appointment and removals, or congressional oversight. MTQ 3: Demonstrated experience with establishing and maintaining effective relationships with components or agencies within the government, or comparable demonstrated ability to establish and maintain such relationships. **Only experience obtained by the closing date (01/16/2026) of this announcement will be considered! Education In order to qualify, you must meet the basic educational requirements. A. Law Degree (J.D. or LL.B) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and possess at least 5 years of relevant post-J.D. experience AND B. Bar Membership: Be an active member of the bar in good standing a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. IMPORTANT: Applicants are responsible for citing J.D. and bar membership information (institution name, state(s) for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than J.D., may be subject to additional review by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management. Additional information General Employment Information: REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Our policy can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy DOJ EEO STATEMENT: The U.S. Department of Justice fosters an inclusive and diverse workforce, find our EEO statement online at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1394116/download SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov. 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. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.