Legal Careers
Trial Attorney (ITFO-New York)
The International Trade Field Office (ITFO) represents the United States, its departments and agencies, and federal officials in both affirmative and defensive litigation in the United States Court of International Trade. The ITFO also handles appeals of Court of International Trade decisions in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Matters within ITFO’s area of responsibility include, among others: importer challenges to U.S. Customs and Border Protection decisions concerning the classification and valuation of imported merchandise, and other questions arising under the tariff laws; lawsuits relating to the interpretation and application of trade-related presidential proclamations, executive orders, international treaties and free trade agreements; disputes over the government’s refusal to grant or the revocation of various licenses under the customs laws; and actions for the collection of duties and penalties under the customs laws. The majority of ITFO’s cases are reviewed de novo, although some may be reviewed on an administrative record.
For more information about the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, visit the Justice Department web site at:
https://www.justice.gov/civil/commercial-litigation-branch
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
The Trial Attorney will be responsible for representing the United States in all aspects of "first chair" trial and appellate litigation. At the trial stage, attorneys personally manage their own cases, conduct fact investigation, work with expert witnesses, serve and respond to written discovery, take and defend depositions, write all substantive and procedural briefs, conduct all aspects of any trial, and present oral argument in the United States Court of International Trade. Attorneys also personally handle all aspects of appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition, attorneys engage in settlement negotiations, and recommend settlements of litigation when appropriate. In handling cases, attorneys work closely with counsel from Federal client agencies.
Matters within ITFO's area of responsibility include, among others: importer challenges to U.S. Customs and Border Protection decisions concerning the classification and valuation of imported merchandise, and other issues under the tariff laws; lawsuits relating to the interpretation and application of trade-related presidential proclamations, executive orders, international treaties and free trade agreements; disputes over the government's refusal to grant or the revocation of various licenses under the customs laws; and actions for the collection of duties and penalties under the customs laws.
The ITFO offers an energetic, collegial work environment that requires attorneys to exercise sound judgment at all times. Attorneys must have excellent time-management skills and be willing to assume substantial responsibility. Because ITFO attorneys appear in a court with nationwide jurisdiction, travel may be required. This is a non-supervisory position.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least 1.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; have at least 2.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and 4 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen.
Applicants must submit a resume by e-mail to nyitfo.resumes-attorney@usdoj.gov
On the subject line, please include the phrase “Civ-ITFO Trial Attorney”.
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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume showing relevant experience.
- Transcript
- Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length, and written in the past 3 years)
- DD-214 and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).
The writing sample should be exclusively or primarily the applicant’s work and should include legal analysis. References will not be checked without permission from the applicant.
No telephone calls, please.
$117,962.00 - $191,900.00
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Department Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
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