Trial Attorney

Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) Wildlife and Marine Resources Section Location: 150 M Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States About this role The Wildlife and Marine Resources Section litigates civil defensive cases in federal courts across the country under federal wildlife and marine species conservation laws, including the Endangered Species Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. These are primarily record-review cases challenging agency rulemaking and decisions such as species listing determinations, fishery regulations, and the way in which protected species are considered when federal agencies carry out their missions. The Section's work intersects with critical federal missions such as public lands management, energy production, and national defense. The Wildlife Section also civilly enforces the Animal Welfare Act, often through emergency motions seeking injunctive relief, and pursues civil forfeitures of seized animals. The Section's docket is varied, fast-paced, and often involves novel issues and matters of national significance. WMRS seeks to hire and cultivate talented attorneys and provides its lawyers with regular and meaningful court experience in a variety of jurisdictions on a broad range of issues. Responsibilities Attorneys in the Section are expected to manage their own dockets with first-chair responsibility across all phases of litigation, including strategic planning with agency attorneys and staff, drafting procedural and dispositive motions, handling discovery, negotiating settlements, defending emergency motions, examining witnesses, and presenting oral argument. Attorneys are also expected to counsel client agencies on compliance with statutes under the Section's jurisdiction. Qualifications J.D. degree and active membership in good standing of any U.S. bar, U.S. citizenship or national. At least 1.5 years of post-J.D. litigation and/or judicial experience for GS-13; 2.5 years for GS-14; 4 years for GS-15. Strong interest in federal litigation, trial work and/or appellate work and an exceptional academic background. Experience as a judicial clerk and familiarity with defensive civil litigation highly desirable. Superior research, analytical, and writing abilities. Salary and Travel GS-13: $121,785 – $158,322 GS-14: $143,913 – $187,093 GS-15: $169,279 – $197,200 GS-13: $118,675 – $154,280 GS-14: $140,239 – $182,316 GS-15: $164,956 – $197,200 Travel: 25% or less. Relocation expenses not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr