Duties

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The United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, is seeking highly qualified attorneys to serve as Trial Attorneys in its Competition Policy and Advocacy (CPA) Section, for its office based in Washington, DC. The CPA Section provides expert internal guidance and external advocacy to further the Division's mission to promote competition. It engages with Division leadership and staff, consumers, business, and lawmakers in the state and federal governments. It plays a key role in developing the Division's guidance documents, such as the Merger Guidelines, and in promoting a whole-of-government competition policy in connection with other federal partners. The section's work on evolving issues of competition policy is typically fast paced and high profile.

The CPA Section serves a valuable range of functions for the Division: analyzing complex antitrust matters; advising on a wide range of civil and criminal antitrust policy issues, including agriculture, technology, healthcare, financial services, technology - including digital platforms and artificial intelligence - labor, intellectual property and standards; developing and supporting the Division's legislative work; analyzing the competitive effects of proposed state and federal laws and regulations; and developing and implementing short- and long-range policy projects and programs of interest to the Assistant Attorney General.

As an attorney in the CPA Section, responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Providing authoritative advice on all policy and legal issues to the Division Front Office;
• Working with and providing policy advice to the Division's litigating sections on investigations and litigations;
• Analyzing the competitive impact of draft federal and state laws and regulations; and
• Working on congressional, interagency, and international matters involving competition.

Work also often involves assignments on other Division matters where investigations and enforcement intersect with ongoing policy projects. The attorneys hired can expect a collegial and stimulating environment working with highly experienced attorneys and economists on cutting-edge matters as well as the satisfaction of serving the public interest.

Please note: Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for this position.
• You may be required to complete a pre-employment security screening to initiate your background investigation, which includes a drug screening. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion and adjudication of your investigation.
• You must submit a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement.
• SELECTIVE SERVICE: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service (see SSS.gov). If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• This position is ineligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit.
• This is a full-time, non-supervisory appointment in the excepted service, subject to a one-or-two-year trial period in accordance with 5 CFR Part 11.

Qualifications

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this position, your resume and supporting documentation will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. To qualify, an applicant must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States;
2. Possess a J.D. or equivalent degree, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one and one-half years of post J.D. legal experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; two and one-half years of post J.D. legal experience to qualify at the GS-14 level, and/or at least four years of post J.D. legal experience to qualify at the GS-15 level;
3. Have superior writing, editing, oral communication, interpersonal and organizational skills; and
4. Possess substantial familiarity with competition law and policy.

A background in economics and/or public policy are beneficial.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

You must possess a J.D. or equivalent degree to qualify for consideration as a Trial Attorney for the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division.

Additional information

Additional information about the Antitrust Division can be found at http://www.justice.gov/atr/. Additional information about the Policy and Advocacy Programs can be found at https://www.justice.gov/atr/about-division/other-offices

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.