Senior Counsel for Trademark Policy and Litigation

Summary This position is located in the Office of the Solicitor, Office of General Counsel. The Senior Counsel for Trademark Policy and Litigation will serve as one of the recognized administrative and legal experts on all trademark and practitioner/agent discipline matters. The incumbent is responsible for rendering legal advice on trademark and discipline matters to the Under Secretary and Director, General Counsel, Solicitor, and other members of the USPTO. Learn more about this agency Duties The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year. The Senior Counsel for Trademark Policy and Litigation serves as the administrative and legal expert for the entire USPTO on domestic and international intellectual property policy that involves trademark matters, and in that capacity may be consulted in connection with positions taken by the USPTO in litigation, rulemaking, or legislative efforts. The Senior Counsel for Trademark Policy and Litigation will also oversee all federal court litigation involving trademark matters in which the USPTO is affected. This position requires a high level of professional legal expertise in rendering advisory legal and administrative opinions relative to trademarks on a wide range of complex issues. Additional duties and responsibilities of the Senior Counsel for Patent Law and Litigation include, but are not limited to the following: Coordinating with the Solicitor's Office's efforts in district court litigation involving trademarks and disciplinary actions. Attending meetings on behalf of the Solicitor or Deputy Solicitor. Being prepared to serve as Acting Solicitor in the Solicitor's absence or as Acting Deputy Solicitor in the Deputy Solicitor's absence. Reviewing proposed revisions to statutes, rules, Trademark Manuel of Examining Procedure (TMEP) and reviews Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TT AB) decisions prior to publication as precedent authority. Advising and conducting training for Special Counsels and Associate Solicitors. Handling other matters as assigned by the Solicitor or General Counsel. Requirements Conditions of employment Refer to "Additional Information". Click "Print View" to review the entire announcement before applying. Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check. If this is your first federal appointment, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Current federal service employees may be given a new appointment, and a new probationary period may be required. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov). This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) will be required within the first 30 days of appointment. Qualifications To meet the minimum requirements for a Senior Level position, candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) for this position in their two-page resume and this experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show the candidate possesses the required subject matter expertise and technical qualifications set forth below. 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. To be considered, the resume must not exceed two pages. Written narratives for the Professional Technical Qualifications are not required. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume. PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQS): Knowledge of trademark, trade dress and unfair competition law and policy issues that relate trademark law, both domestically and internationally. Ability to oversee and litigate federal court cases on behalf of the USPTO that involve trademark matters. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the PTQs. Education A.) Education Requirement: Must have successfully completed a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited educational institution; B.) Bar Membership: Must have a current active bar membership from any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, or Federal Court. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov. Additional information If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Expand Hide  additional information 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. 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.