Attorney advisors will perform a variety of legal duties related to consumer protection matters, including: reviewing and analyzing opinions, cases, memoranda, reports, and statements to be presented to the Commission for action; advising the Chair on legal and factual matters of the case; conducting research and drafting legal opinions, memoranda, analyses, and summaries on particular laws, matters, issues, and policies; and performing other duties as assigned.

Duties

As an expert advisor and counsel to the Chair on consumer protection matters, the incumbent initiates oral and written legal advice and opinions with respect to the diverse matters, formal and informal, on which the Chair takes action. The incumbent studies and reviews the facts, the issues, and the recommendations of the staff with respect to matters coming before the Commission and provides the Chair with an analysis thereof. More specifically, the incumbent: Reviews and analyzes opinions, cases, memoranda, reports, and statements to be presented to the Commission for action and advises the Chair as to the particular legal and factual matters of the case, setting forth questions at issue and points of law involved, administrative interpretations and precedents that apply, and other pertinent factors Drafts legal opinions, memoranda, outlines, analyses, and summaries on particular laws, matters, policies, and issues, such as interpretations made by the Commission on various sections of the Acts enforced by the Commission, legal and technical reasons for any such interpretations and legislative histories of such sections, or any departures from conclusions of law and interpretations. Conducts research and prepares memoranda on matters involving new policies or new rules; and drafts, in the form of rules, suggestions or revisions approved by the Chair. Attends formal Commission meetings to observe proceedings or matters under consideration so as to provide advice, perform research, or conduct studies, as directed by the Chair. Performs necessary research and prepares relevant correspondence and statements with respect to matters presented to the Commissioner for comment relative to the application of Acts administered by the Commission. Examines recent opinions of Federal and State Courts and prepares analyses and reports of those that pertain to the Commission's work, and advises and informs the Chair on current legal developments and trends. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory - US, PR, DC.
• The position may be subject to completion of a two-year trial period.
• This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency. Additional Requirements GS-13 Positions For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-13 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 24 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 24 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-12 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-12 level include examples such as work on moderately complex, novel, or broadly significant matters. This work entails solid drafting skills, original research, strong legal analysis, and effective oral communications. GS-14 Positions For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-14 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-13 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-13 level include examples such as independently plan, organize and conduct analysis of the matters on which they are working, based on preliminary background and policy information provided by the supervisor. Their written work is expected to be technically correct and not require detailed review. At this level, attorneys are journeymen attorneys whose work entails demanding legal research and analysis; drafting and reviewing motions, subpoenas, complaints, orders, rule proposals, and memoranda; and, where appropriate to the office, participating in investigational hearings, negotiating settlements, and trials. They contribute to the tactical and policy decisions inherent in various matters and, where appropriate, they should be able to assist in the trial of these matters. Attorneys at this level take charge of basic matters, moderately complex and novel matters, and make substantial contributions to the most complex, novel, or significant matters. GS-15 Positions For attorney appointments: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-15 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school to qualify for the GS-15 level. At least 18 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-14 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-15 level include examples such as conducting excellent legal research and writing abilities, strong organizational and analytical skills in presenting written arguments and excellent oral communication skills. They must also exercise sound judgment, supervise, work well with, and motivate others, and make decided contributions to the work of the office. They must function independently and their work should not require close supervision or substantive review. The supervisor must have complete confidence in their judgment. At this level, they should be recognized for their competence. They should be able to represent the agency before any group or in any setting, and to effectively manage the preparation and trial of virtually any major case, all stages in the appeal of such a case, or conduct evaluation and analysis of the most complex cases of major significance for which little if any precedent exists. Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the Federal Government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

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. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION

Contacts

• Address Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite H-723 Washington, DC 20580 US
• Name: Dominique Hardy
• Email: [email protected]