Supervisory Trial Attorney (Tax) (Strategic Litigation Counsel)

⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌⁠With nearly 1,700 attorneys, IRS Chief Counsel is the largest tax law firm nationwide. Our attorneys are among top tax law practitioners and some of the very best legal minds found anywhere. Together with the IRS, we serve the public by applying the tax code with fairness and integrity. After pausing hiring in 2025, we now seek new law graduates and experienced attorneys to join us.

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Learn about our Legal Divisions For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). The Strategic Litigation (SL) Division Counsel is a national organization with approximately 90 attorneys and 40 paralegals located in 33 cities nationwide. The SL Division, through its Special Trial Attorneys and paralegals, is responsible for handling the Office of Chief Counsel's most complex, high-profile, and significant cases in the United States Tax Court, which cases often establish national precedent or are otherwise important to tax administration. The SL attorneys and paralegals provide a full range of legal services on all issues, including advising the Internal Revenue Service on its most significant non-docketed cases, handling significant case litigation in the United States Tax Court, and assisting the Department of Justice in the handling of significant cases in both Federal and State Courts.

As a Supervisory Trial Attorney (Tax) (Strategic Litigation Counsel) , you will:

• Serves as first-line supervisor to a group of Special Trial Attorneys (STAs) and paralegal support staff engaged in providing large case litigation support to the IRS. Performs a full range of technical and administrative supervisory duties such as reviewing and coordinating work assignments and priorities; evaluating employee performance and identifying developmental and training needs of staff; proposing and effecting disciplinary and other personnel-related actions, etc. Develops STA subordinates to provide on-site supervision to remotely managed employees.
• Provides technical guidance and oversight to STA litigation teams, which may include employees from several SL offices and groups.
• Serves as a primary advisor on significant case matters, docketed and non-docketed, under the group's jurisdiction, keeping Division management informed of any unusual, sensitive, or controversial cases or developments.
• Makes recommendations to resolve outstanding issues, advising Division management of potential ramifications of alternate actions. When needed, makes determinations regarding settlement of large cases under the Division's jurisdiction, both independently or in consultation with other senior executives.
• Participates with Division management in the development and implementation of long-range strategic plans and goals for matters under the Division's jurisdiction, including industry-specific plans with nationwide applicability.
• Keeps informed of emerging trends/developments in significant case litigation and industry business practices to ensure such development issues are properly anticipated and considered in formulating goals.

This is not an all-inclusive list.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

To qualify for this position of Supervisory Trial Attorney (Tax) (Strategic Litigation Counsel) you must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing of this announcement:

Basic Requirements for Supervisory Trial Attorney (Tax) (Strategic Litigation Counsel):

• Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND
• Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

GS-15 Experience Requirements:

• 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus
• 3 year(s) of professional legal tax experience

Professional Legal Tax Experience is defined as: 1) Thorough and comprehensive professional knowledge of and understanding of Federal tax statutes and regulations pertaining to Subchapter C corporations, and subchapter S corporations and partnerships; (2) Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of litigation strategies and procedures, including technology used in case work; and 3) The ability to apply sound judgment in developing and assessing settlement options/interests. At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-14).

Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience.

Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in the field of the position (taxation) may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

Time in Grade Requirement for GS-15: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-14).