Skip to main content
Posted June 17, 2026

Trial Attorney (Corporate Financial Litigation)

Civil Division
Washington, D.C. Full Time
Compensation: $85,447 to $197,200 Annually
Reference: CivilDivision869441200

The Corporate/Financial Litigation Section handles an array of cases that reach all facets of the United States' economy, with a focus on federal programs that implicate significant financial and property interests of the government. Well-qualified candidates may be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $25,000, depending on qualifications, education, and other factors. All recipients of a signing bonus are required to fulfill a service obligation. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.

OR

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. The Corporate/Financial Litigation Section seeks experienced attorneys to represent the United States in a broad range of complex litigation matters. Trial Attorneys in the Section have a varied practice that includes both affirmative and defensive litigation in the United States bankruptcy, district and appellate courts. The practice encompasses, but is not limited to, bankruptcy, contract disputes, government loan and grant programs, and a variety of other matters involving the recovery of money for the United States. Trial Attorneys are expected to handle all phases of litigation, including conducting legal research and analysis, authoring motions, briefs and other legal documents, managing written discovery, taking and defending depositions, attending court hearings, arguing motions, and conducting trials. Trial Attorneys communicate regularly with client agencies, Department of Justice leadership, opposing counsel, and others. Trial Attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Branch's and Department's mission of defending the interests of the United States.

This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week. Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
  • To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year of legal experience.
  • To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have minimum (1) or more years post-J.D. legal experience
  • To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
  • To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
  • To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants with proven advocacy and legal writing skills preferred. Experience drafting and arguing motions, handling discovery, taking, and defending depositions, developing expert witness testimony, and trying cases are highly desirable.

Trial Period Statement
As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Sign up for Job Alerts