Copyright is a form of legal protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) to authors of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other works. The Office of the General Counsel of the US Copyright Office interprets the copyright law. The General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights has the responsibility at the highest level for a wide range of complex tasks related to the administration of the US copyright law
Duties
Career Showcase | General Counsel & Associate Register of Copyrights (VAR003048) This event was held virtually on April 4, 2025. Access the recording by clicking here. The United States Copyright Office, located within the Library of Congress and under the direction of the Register of Copyrights, administers the Copyright Law, advises Congress and government agencies on legal and policy matters; provides international representation on copyright issues; administers the national copyright registration system; provides collections materials to the Library through voluntary registration and mandatory deposit programs; records documents relating to copyright chain of title; administers statutory license provisions of the law, including collecting and distributing royalties; maintains the world's largest database of copyright public records; and provides information and reference services to the public. Serves as a senior advisor to the Register of Copyrights. Interprets Copyright Office programs and practices and makes policy recommendations as requested in specific areas of copyright law. Represents and speaks for the Copyright Office in speeches and discussions at legal and professional meetings, conferences, and seminars in the United States and in foreign countries. Contributes articles and other writings to law reviews, collections, professional journals, etc. Provides professional supervisory oversight of the employees, some of whom perform at GS-15 grade level. Manages and supervises the administrative and technical aspect for accomplishing the work. Manages the Office of the General Counsel's participation in the Copyright Law Clerk Program, including reviewing applications, interviewing, selecting and supervising interns. Directs and coordinates research on the entire range of problems involved in the development, implementation, and operation of the U.S. Copyright law including related laws contained in title 17. Works with supervised attorneys and other Copyright Office employees to ensure that reports for Congress and statements are complete, accurate, and on time. Provides congressional staff members advisory services and oral briefings that clarify legal questions, identifies and discusses legal options, and informs congressional staff. Maintains and uses these contacts to keep abreast of legislative developments and congressional concerns. Analytical assignments in direct support of legislative deliberations may originate from these contacts, in recognition of the attorney's professional authority in a specific area of the law. Drafts rules, policy statements, explanations, commentaries, determinations of novel questions of law and other questions of law referred to the Register of Copyrights by the Copyright Royalty Judges, and participates in the processes of rule-making, including hearings and the evaluation of testimony and written comments. Consults actively and widely with the entire range of communities such as legal, authorship, publishing, entertainment, educational, library, communications, art, and others affected by title 17, and informs these entities about pertinent Copyright Office policies and practices. Prepares probing and innovative written legal analyses, arguments, briefs, or other analytical documents for courts, congressional members, committees, and staff which relate to the attorney's comprehensive knowledge of a range of specialized areas of the law to the development, interpretation, or implementation of sensitive public policies that have long-range national or international significance. These analyses may define or clarify controversial or disputed legal issues; apply sophisticated legal analysis to intractable problems; assess political and institutional constraints; organize and present legal options and analyze their consequences; and anticipate the direction of policy questions. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Salary
Qualifications
The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position. A candidate's resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has: Ability to Conduct, Manage and Write Research Materials Related to Copyright and Administrative Law**: The successful candidate has the ability to direct and coordinate research on range of problems involved in the development, implementation, and operation of U.S. copyright law, administrative law and Title 17. Ability to Manage and Lead a Diverse Workforce**: The successful candidate has the ability to manage a diverse workforce and demonstrated proficiencies toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Knowledge of Copyright Law**: The successful candidate has knowledge of copyright law, litigation, statutory licensing, copyright registration and document recordation. Knowledge of Administrative Law**: The successful candidate has knowledge of administrative law or regulatory processes. Ability to Convey Legal Analysis and Information Orally Through Briefings, Consultations, and Other Presentations: The successful candidate has the ability to communicate analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations. Ability to Initiate and Lead Change: The successful candidate has the ability to lead tasks and people effectively and inspire change in developing and implementing an organizational vision that integrates key goals, priorities, values, etc. Ability to Communicate Effectively Other than in Writing: The successful candidate has the ability to communicate effectively in both formal and informal settings with colleagues and others, consulting both within and outside the organization and/or giving formal presentations at outside meetings.
Education
Applicants must possess an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Appointees must maintain active membership in good standing of the bar throughout their employment. Legible copies of transcripts demonstrating that applicant is a graduate from an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree program in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law must be attached to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of the application. Official documents will be required if selected. Also, a copy of bar membership demonstrating that applicant is a member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico must be attached to your online application. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.
Required Documents
Applicants must possess an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Appointees must maintain active membership in good standing of the bar throughout their employment. Legible copies of transcripts demonstrating that applicant is a graduate from an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree program in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law must be attached to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of the application. Official documents will be required if selected. Also, a copy of bar membership demonstrating that applicant is a member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico must be attached to your online application. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application. Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent). Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Office at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
How to Apply
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure that you are considered for the position. Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress. Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the job announcement to review the qualifications listed to ensure that your resume reflects your accomplishments in those areas. Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements. Step 4: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov, no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date.
