Trial Attorney

DutiesAbout the OfficeThe United States Trustee Program (USTP) is a litigating component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders, debtors, creditors, and the public. The USTP is a national program with 21 regions consisting of 89 field offices, and has broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authorities in bankruptcy cases, including chapter 7 and 13 consumer cases, family farmer chapter 12 cases, small business reorganizations, and complex chapter 11 corporate reorganizations. The USTP is the only participant in the bankruptcy process uniquely positioned to address multi-jurisdictional misconduct or other issues of national scope that give rise to systemic fraud and abuse, while also effectively combatting local matters affecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.The Office of the General Counsel (OGC), within the Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST), oversees the Program's legal activities, coordinates appeals, and provides in-house counsel services and ethics advice. OGC formulates and oversees the Program's national legal policies and litigation strategies before the bankruptcy courts and through the appellate process, implements the Program's legal priorities, and advises senior managers and field-based personnel on a wide range of cutting-edge legal issues. Chapter 11 attorneys develop guidance, policies, and training on retention and compensation, official committees, plans and disclosure statements, fiduciary appointments, executive bonuses, and case dismissals, among other issues.The USTP offers a flexible telework policy, including four (4) telework days per bi-weekly pay period.Job DescriptionThe USTP seeks an experienced chapter 11 attorney to provide expert legal advice on a wide range of chapter 11 issues, including complex chapter 11 litigation, to senior managers and field-based personnel. This position reports to the Associate General Counsel for Chapter 11 Practice and serves as a member of a cohesive and collegial chapter 11 team based in OGC that seeks to ensure consistency across jurisdictions and rigorous adherence to the Code by developing litigation strategies, conducting legal research, drafting and reviewing pleadings, memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents as well as developing, guidance, policies, and training.Under the direction of the Associate General Counsel, the typical duties of a Chapter 11 Trial Attorney include:Provide legal advice and litigation support for field offices involved in challenging or novel chapter 11 issues arising in a variety of chapter 11 cases-from small individual chapter 11s and subchapter V cases to the largest, most complex business reorganizations-often on a short deadline;Advise and counsel on a broad spectrum of complex legal issues including, among others, fraudulent or improper practices by a debtor in possession that may require the appointment of a trustee to replace management or of an examiner to analyze the debtor's affairs, executive compensation arrangements proposed in violation of 11 U.S.C. § 503(c), professional retention and compensation, committee formation and related litigation, and plan and disclosure statement litigation;Draft and review pleadings, memoranda, and briefs;Develop and implement chapter 11 policies on matters of USTP significance;Prepare and present training sessions, both live and distance, for USTP personnel on a variety of chapter 11 issues;Assist in the drafting, review, and preparation of public presentations and articles;Identify emerging issues and developing trends in chapter 11 practice and recommend USTP responses, as appropriate;Participate in working groups and other collaborative efforts relevant to chapter 11 practice;Assist and advise a team of dedicated appellate lawyers on the defense and prosecution of appeals relevant to chapter 11 issues from district courts to the U.S. Supreme Court, recently including, among others, Purdue Pharma, FTX, LTL I and II (J&J), and Aero (3M);Cooperate and support other departments in EOUST on special projects, as assigned, related to chapter 11 practice, including media, congressional, and public inquiries and information requests;Consult and advise on cases under other chapters of the Bankruptcy Code, where issues may affect or intersect with chapter 11;Support USTP outreach to interested constituents and those involved in the bankruptcy system, such as the bankruptcy court, the bar, other federal and state agencies, and professional organizations; andWork on other national projects and priorities, as assigned.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentMust be a U.S. Citizen or NationalMust complete a Background Investigation to include drug testingSelective Service Registration is required, as applicableMay require completion of one year probationary periodFinancial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines. QualificationsQualificationsRequiredApplicants must demonstrate excellent academic and professional credentials; superior oral and written communication skills; outstanding legal research, analytical, and legal reasoning skills; outstanding judgment; and the ability to function with minimal guidance in a demanding legal environment. Further, an applicant must have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school; be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) in good standing; and have at least four (4) years post-J.D. professional legal or other relevant experience interpreting, applying, and advocating under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and related laws, rules, and regulations that arise in bankruptcy cases.Applicants must be an active member of a state bar in good standing. Please note, in a select few jurisdictions, federal attorneys are required to be active members of the jurisdiction's state bar.PreferredOutstanding organizational skills and the ability to address a broad array of issues arising in a large volume of cases.The ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical issues in a wide variety of cases and projects. The ability to manage and balance diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorities.Demonstrated initiative and creativity.Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in a professional and collegial manner with staff and managers at every level in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.Strong information technology skills, including using data bases and IT systems to manage and track work.A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.The ability to work for a federal agency and to accomplish and execute the Program's priorities and policies.The ability to be a forceful advocate for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in the bankruptcy process and to act as a watchdog for the public's interest in the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system.Additional informationSalaryThe possible salary range is on the General Schedule, GS-15. The annual salary will depend on the applicant's qualifications, experience, and the locality pay adjustment for the duty station. Travel
Periodic travel may be required depending on work assignments and training.Relocation Expenses
Relocation expenses may be authorized to current USTP employees only, based on USTP policy. Help

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 benefitsEligibility 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.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Application ProcessThis vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. CITIZENS.To apply, interested candidates must submit ONE (1) PDF document containing the following:A cover letter that highlights the applicant's interest in the position and details how all qualifications are met;A current resume that details months and years of education, employment, and earliest bar admission;A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer writing sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's work and includes legal analysis;DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Member 4 copy (if applicable);CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable);Schedule (A) documentation (if applicable).Email your PDF application package to ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line Trial Attorney-OGCCH11-11-2024.Evaluation ProcessA panel of subject matter experts will review applications to determine how well a candidate meets the minimum position qualifications outlined above. If a candidate is deemed qualified, they will be contacted via email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee and those who fall into the best-qualified category will be considered for the position.Initial appointment is conditioned upon passing a preliminary background investigation and is not-to-exceed fourteen (14) months. The appointment may require 120-day increment extensions until the full background investigation is complete. The appointment will automatically become permanent following the favorable adjudication.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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
The application materials are required to be submitted electronically as a pdf file by all applicants (including attorneys currently appointed to positions in the Department of Justice) and emailed to ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line Trial Attorney-OGCCH11-11-2024.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
When addressing the specialized experience statement, applicants must present evidence of the experience in their resume. If the specialized experience statement is repeated, in the applicant's resume, Human Resources will deem the applicant as ineligible.