Trial Attorney

Position can be filled at the grade 11 or 12 level via this announcement; the applicant must meet the requirements according to the qualifications below. An incumbent hired at the LA-11 level is subject to more and ongoing supervision than an incumbent hired or promoted to the LA-12 level.

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INTRODUCTION

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Department on Disability Services (DDS). The Department on Disability Services is a unique and complex agency providing community living services and support to District residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and providing vocational rehabilitation services to District residents with physical, psychological, and developmental disabilities for employment, self-sufficiency and/or independence. This position provides litigation with full responsibility for preparation for trial and actual trial of cases assigned.

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Incumbent reviews information presented and relevant case law to determine whether a proceeding or filing should be initiated.
2. Reviews for this purpose include interviewing agency officials, other potential witnesses, available documents, and sources of information.
3. Prepares complaints, responses, motions, legal briefs/memoranda as appropriate.
4. Prepares and conducts litigation including preparation of witnesses and exhibits; collection and organization of evidence; preparation and conduct of preliminary proceedings; identification, procurement, and preparation of expert services; examination of witnesses; and oral arguments.
5. Negotiates resolution of cases and determines (with the approval of supervisors) when continued proceedings are no longer in the best interest of the District of Columbia and prepares documentation and necessary court papers to implement negotiations.
6. Performs all functions related to case and calendar management — pretrial, motion and trial scheduling, preparation of case transfer or close-out reports, case file entry updating, documentation of action taken, or orders issued, timely preparation and service of filings, timely issuance of subpoenas, and any other administrative function associated with litigation.
7. Compiles monthly statistical and status reports on cases assigned.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

All candidates must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LL.B degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of appointment;

AND

Must be either a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or be admitted in another United States jurisdiction and have an application submitted and pending for admission to the District of Columbia Bar;

AND

Prefers incumbent one (1) full year of post J.D. professional legal experience.

Education, Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements

As indicated above, an applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD).

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit (as one combined PDF file): a resume, writing sample, statement of interest summarizing why you are interested in this position and the skills and abilities you possess that will enable you to succeed in this position, and a most recent job performance evaluation. If your D.C. Bar application is pending, please provide proof of the date of submission of the bar application.

Work Experience/Knowledge

1. Basic knowledge of laws, theories, principles, practices, and techniques of legal proceedings sufficient to represent the District of Columbia in litigation and related activities.
2. Basic knowledge of policies, regulations, and precedent court decisions; skill in interpreting and applying this legal knowledge to varying situations.
3. Skill in identifying and isolating controlling legal issues from complex legal issues in an orderly, systematic, and effective manner.
4. Skill in communicating precisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.
5. Skill in applying sound judgment in analysis of cases and deriving logical conclusions.
6. Basic knowledge of legal advocacy tactics and strategy as well as negotiation, pre-trial and trial techniques.

Collective Bargaining Unit

This position is covered under the collective bargaining unit represented by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE Local 1403). You may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll.

Work Schedule

This position is an in-office position, subject to the AFGE Local 1403 Collective Bargaining Agreement and DCHR and DDS policies and issuances on Compressed, Flexible, and Telework Schedules.

Additional information

Once applications are submitted, applicants will not be able to change their responses to the online questions.

The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring an enhanced suitability screening.

If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and

The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents (cover letter, writing sample, list of references and last performance evaluation). Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.