Attorney-Adviser (General)

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 link below: Legal Careers | OLC Attorney-Advisor (General) | United States Department of Justice

Duties

About the Office

By delegation from the Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) provides legal advice to the President and all executive branch agencies. The Office provides written opinions and other advice in response to requests from the Attorney General, the Counsel to the President, the General Counsels of the various agencies of the Executive Branch, and other components of the Department of Justice. Such requests typically deal with legal issues of particular complexity and importance or those about which two or more agencies disagree. The Office is also responsible for reviewing and commenting on the constitutionality of pending legislation.

All executive orders and substantive proclamations proposed to be issued by the President are reviewed by OLC for form and legality, as are various other matters that require the President's formal approval.

The Office reviews all proposed orders of the Attorney General including regulations that require the Attorney General's approval. It also performs a variety of special assignments referred by the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General.

Job Description

The Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking highly qualified attorneys to serve as Attorney-Advisers in Washington, D.C. The Office's principal function is to assist the Attorney General in fulfilling the role of legal adviser to the President and Executive Branch agencies. For more information, please visit OLC's internet website, http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/.

OLC's responsibilities include the following:

• Advising the Attorney General, the Counsel to the President, the General Counsels of executive departments and agencies, and the various components of the Department of Justice on constitutional and statutory matters;
• Resolving legal disputes within the Executive Branch through the issuance of authoritative legal opinions;
• Reviewing for constitutionality proposed legislation; and
• Reviewing for form and legality all executive orders and substantive proclamations and memoranda proposed to be issued by the President as well as all Attorney General Orders including regulations that require the Attorney General's approval.

Salary

• $121,785 - $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

Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and have at least one year of post-J.D. legal experience.

OLC is highly selective in its hiring because OLC attorneys handle some of the most difficult and important legal issues confronting the Executive Branch. The ideal candidate would have exceptional academic credentials, a judicial clerkship or comparable experience, a strong background in constitutional law, outstanding legal research and writing skills, and the ability to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance.

Education Applicants must have a J.D. degree. Other Information Salary GS-0905-13 to 15$121,785 - $197,200 (Salary includes locality pay) This position is subject to the availability of funds at the time a hiring decision is made. Number of Positions Many Travel Minimal travel required Relocation Expenses None Required Documents

Please see the 'How To Apply' section.

How to Apply

Application Process

Applicants must submit the following documents via email: 1) a resume; 2) a cover letter addressing the qualifications listed above; 3) a writing sample; 4) a law school transcript; 5) a copy of your most recent performance rating (if applicable); and 6) a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50 (if applicable). Please submit all documents to OLCRecruit@usdoj.gov.

Applications received after 11:59PM on September 28, 2026, will not be considered.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.