Trial Attorney (Senior Assistant General Counsel)

Apply now for an exciting opportunity at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). With an expanded mission and authority to include oversight of the swap markets, the CFTC continues to protect the American public by promoting market integrity, transparency and preventing and prosecuting fraud, manipulation and other abuse in the futures and options markets. Please visit www.cftc.gov to learn more about the CFTC.

Duties

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Litigation, Enforcement and Adjudication Branch. The Litigation, Enforcement and Adjudication Branch represents the Commission in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, and various administrative bodies. OGC Litigation staff represents the Commission principally in challenges to agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, appeals of CFTC enforcement actions, subpoenas directed to the CFTC, derivatives-industry bankruptcies, and as amicus curiae in a range of matters. The Branch also advises the Commission in the review of decisions issued by the Office of Proceedings.  As an attorney in the Litigation, Enforcement and Adjudication Branch, you will be responsible for:

• Developing case strategy, briefing and arguing cases in the federal district courts and courts of appeals in which the Commission is a party or amicus.
• Researching and analyzing applicable statutes, regulations, and case law involving complex and sometimes novel legal theories and advising the Commission of the same.
• Performing substantive review, on behalf of the Office of General Counsel, of litigation or proposed settlement of litigation proposed by the Division of Enforcement under the CEA and CFTC Regulations.
• Drafting memoranda and proposed orders recommending disposition of appeals from the Office of Proceedings.
• Handling subpoenas issued to the Commission for document production and testimony.
• Representing the agency in labor matters, including issues arising under the collective bargaining agreement or in the Federal Service Impasses Panel or the Federal Labor Relations Authority. 
• Representing the agency in employment matters, including matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Merit Systems Protection Board. 

Salary

• $202,549 - $284,600/year

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Favorable Background/Security Investigation
• Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
• May be subject to a two-year trial period.
• You must be an active member of the bar in good standing.

Applicants are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as JD and/or LLM equivalent and Bar membership information (institution name, state for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will result in an incomplete application.

Qualifications

To qualify for the CT-15, applicants must possess all of the following:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.); and
• Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty); and
• Five years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school.

Relevant legal experience is defined as attorneys, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained after graduation from a law school. Legal and non- legal experience gained in the Federal government or private sector prior to completing a law degree cannot be used to satisfy the legal experience requirement. Work while in law school does not count.

Qualifying experience may include: Mastery of the field of law and expert knowledge of the controlling statutes, and case law pertaining to the subject-matter of assigned particular issues sufficient to conduct research into extremely complex legal issues and to develop new legal theories and opinions which may alter the state of the law in the particular area or expand the charter of the agency.

Education Successful completion of a full course of study (J.D.) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see www.ed.gov. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR 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/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Other Information

All employees are required to follow the Agency’s telework policy. If selected, you will be required to report to your assigned duty station to complete all onboarding procedures.

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Trial Period: You may be subject to a two-year trial period, if applicable.

This is not a Bargaining Unit Position.

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions. 

The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

Required Documents

• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (cover letter optional). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
• JD/Transcripts (unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy with date degree was awarded is required prior to firm offer letter being extended);
• Bar membership details;
• Writing sample demonstrating analysis of complex legal issues (optional)

How to Apply

YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE:  Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV.  To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV.  Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to answer the questions and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application, go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

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