Trade Attorney - Executive Office of the President

Who We Are

Would you like to make a difference in today's world?  Consider a career in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in the Executive Office of the President.  The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the President’s principal trade policy advisor, chief trade negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.  The U.S. Trade Representative and the Agency's staff are responsible for developing and implementing trade policies, overseeing trade negotiations with other countries, and monitoring and enforcing trade laws which create new opportunities for American businesses, workers and agricultural producers.  Through an interagency structure, USTR coordinates trade policy, resolves disagreements and frames issues for Presidential decision.

American trade policy works toward opening markets throughout the world to create new opportunities and higher living standards for families, farmers, manufacturers, workers, consumers and businesses. The United States is party to numerous trade agreements with other countries, and leads negotiations for new trade agreements with a number of countries and regions of the world.

This position is located in the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Major Duties

• Serves as an attorney in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).  Provides expert legal analysis and advice on a variety of trade issues.
• Conducts bilateral and multilateral negotiations concerning trade issues related to a variety of goods and services, committing the United States to the terms of the resulting agreements.
• Works closely with an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) in formulating U.S. trade policies.  Conducts research of laws, legal opinions, policies, or regulations on specific trade areas or broad trade issues.  Recommends policy options to the appropriate AUSTR or other senior level official.  Establishes policy options during trade negotiations to achieve satisfactory results.  Develops and applies negotiating strategies and tactics.  Based on knowledge of the trade issue at hand, prepares reports and other documents in anticipation of potential problems and issues.
• Provides expert advice and guidance to USTR officials on legal issues with respect to assigned trade issues.  Develops and coordinates USTR’s legal position on all issues related to area of responsibility.
• Reviews current and pending legislation related to assigned areas and potential effect and impact on U.S. trade and the economy.

Requirements

• Knowledge of general U.S. law.  In addition, knowledge of U.S. international trade laws and policies, Executive Orders and other statutes, court decisions and regulations affecting the work of the USTR, including laws dealing with import relief, unfair trade practices in import trade, tariff agreements and others.
• Knowledge of the various sources of legal reference material concerning U.S. trade agreements, regulations, decisions and policies.
• Knowledge of legal research methods.
• Ability to identify and analyze pertinent legal information. 
• Knowledge of antitrust, unfair trade practices, and intellectual property law and its application.

Annual Salary Range

$68,217 - $176,300

For additional information on USTR, please review our website (www.ustr.gov) or call our administrative office on (202) 395-7360.