Trial Attorney

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the links below: Legal Careers | Trial Attorney (Appellate Law) | United States Department of Justice EOUST - Trial Attorney (Appellate Law) - Washington, DC

Duties

About the Office

The United States Trustee Program (USTP or Program) is a litigating component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders, including debtors, creditors, and the public. The Program operates nationwide through twenty-one (21) regions comprised of 82 field office locations and exercises broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authority in bankruptcy cases. Its responsibilities extend across chapter 7 and 13 consumer matters, chapter 12 family farmer cases, small business reorganizations, and complex chapter 11 corporate restructurings.

As the only participant in the bankruptcy process with a national footprint and independent oversight mandate, the USTP is uniquely positioned to identify and address multijurisdictional misconduct and other issues of national significance that threaten the integrity of the bankruptcy system. At the same time, the Program remains equipped to respond effectively to local matters involving fraud, abuse, or other practices undermining the fair and efficient administration of bankruptcy cases.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC), within the Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST), oversees the Program's legal activities. OGC formulates and oversees the Program's national legal policies and litigation strategies before the bankruptcy courts and through the appellate process, implements the Program's legal priorities, resolves signifcant legal issues, and provides advice to staff on constitutional and administrative law issues.

Job Description

OGC is seeking an attorney experienced in complex civil appellate litigation or complex civil litigation to provide expert legal advice and litigate complex civil appeals before federal appellate courts across the nation. The incumbent will serve as a civil appellate expert and will use his or her expertise to help OGC litigate roughly 100 appellate matters annually. Periodically, the incumbent will brief constitutional issues before federal trial courts. The incumbent will also craft administrative decisions.

As a Trial Attorney (Appellate Law), GS-0905-15, duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as a member of a cohesive and collegial team of experienced civil appellate attorneys based in OGC and reporting to the Associate General Counsel for Appellate Practice.
• Litigating complex and important civil bankruptcy appeals across the nation. Litigating constitutional matters before trial and appellate courts. The public's interest in these matters may be substantial. Writing appellate briefs, making oral arguments, and participating in moot courts in USTP appeals.
• Overseeing appeals that attorneys in USTP field offices litigate by acting as a resource, editing draft briefs, and providing guidance.
• Researching and drafting memoranda, which recommend whether to participate in appeals, including matters before the Supreme Court, based upon cases' importance, potential impact upon federal law, and other relevant considerations.
• Providing recommendations to other governmental components, including the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), about significant or novel appeals that the USTP is not litigating directly.
• Acting as a resource, including editing draft briefs, providing guidance, and participating in moot courts in appeals being argued by other Departmental components, including OSG.
• Implementing legal strategies in complex civil appellate matters to advance the policies and goals of USTP and the Department.
• Devising solutions to complex and challenging legal questions involved in USTP civil litigation and presenting them to OGC supervisors and EOUST Senior Leadership.
• Leading, organizing, and preparing material for training and conferences. Developing guidance, programs and procedures to govern USTP activities.
• Presenting USTP and Departmental positions to agencies, private sector organizations, congressional staff, and Departmental components. Addressing and resolving sensitive problems and helping develop guidance.
• Drafting administrative decisions to be issued by Senior Leadership.
• Providing technical advice and assistance, which may include active participation in novel cases.
• Drafting EOUST comments and recommendations on proposed changes to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Preparing congressional testimony. Tracking proposed rulemaking. Recommending action plans, guidance, and procedures. Drafting responses to congressional inquiries.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Salary

• $169,279 - $197,200/year

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 which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
• 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.

Qualifications

Required

To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have at least five (5) years post Juris Doctorate professional legal experience in complex civil appellate law and/or complex civil litigation. The successful applicant should have substantial expertise handling such matters. Strong writing skills are required. Bankruptcy experience is not required. At least two years of the required professional legal experience must be at or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

Applicants must be an active member of a state bar in good standing. Please note, in a select few jurisdictions, federal attorneys are required to be active members of the jurisdiction's state bar.

Preferred

• Significant experience providing a full spectrum of legal services concerning complex civil appellate litigation;
• Ability to utilize their extensive knowledge of complex civil or appellate litigation to provide thoughtful, nuanced, comprehensive and sophisticated legal advice to Senior Leadership;
• Ability and expertise to assume front-line responsibility for handling and overseeing complex civil appeals;
• A record of analyzing complex legal problems, interpreting statutory, rule, and regulatory provisions, developing litigation strategies, and demonstrating superior trial practice skills;
• A record of litigating complex matters including persuasive briefs and oral advocacy;
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to address a broad array of issues arising in a large volume of cases;
• The ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical issues in a wide variety of cases and projects;
• The ability to set, manage, and balance diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorities;
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills;
• Experience working with or for federal agencies; and,
• A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.

Other Information Salary Position is on the GS pay scale, full-time and permanent, and possible current annual salary range is: GS-15 ($169,279- $197,200). Years and type of experience will determine the appropriate salary. Number of Positions Many Travel Periodic travel is required depending on work assignments and training. Relocation Expenses Relocation expenses will not be authorized. Required Documents

Required Application Documents:

• Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining interest in the position and demonstrating how all qualifications are met.
• Resume: Your two-page resume showing relevant experience should include your name and contact information in addition to the following for proper determination to be made: where you worked, job title, series and grade, if applicable, duties and accomplishments for each position, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week and salary. Resumes exceeding two pages will be disqualified.
• Writing Sample: A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's own work and includes legal analysis.
• Transcripts: If this position has a positive education requirement or you are using your education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts. The unofficial transcripts must include the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, quarter or semester hours earned, and date degree conferred. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide an official certified copy of your transcripts before a start date will be established.
• SF-50(s): Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent, non award SF 50. The SF 50 must include the full position title, series, grade and step, organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and the employee's service type and tenure.
• Performance Appraisal: Current Federal employees must submit a copy of their most recent completed annual performance appraisal.
• Veterans' Preference Documentation: If claiming preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active-duty service, type of discharge and the character of service.

How to Apply

Application Process

This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. citizens. Applicants must submit a complete application package as described below.

Submit your full application package as a single PDF to ustp.employment@usdoj.gov using the following subject line: TRIAL ATTORNEY (APPELLATE LAW)-09-2026. Important: Candidates who applied to the previous announcement (Job ID: TRIAL ATTORNEY (APPELLATE LAW)-07-2026) that closed on August 23, 2026, will be automatically considered and do not need to reapply.