Legal Careers
Attorney Advisor
Washington, DC 20530 - United States
The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct committed by Department attorneys, agents, and immigration judges while performing their duties to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice. The office is recognized for its independent, comprehensive, and objective resolutions of misconduct allegations. OPR attorneys conduct sensitive investigations involving all levels and components of the Department and relating to a wide range of challenging and topical ethical issues, including grand jury abuse, discovery violations, and lack of candor. Because misconduct allegations may involve highly publicized or sensitive cases, matters with complex legal or factual issues, and those with novel ethical questions, the office seeks experienced, detail-oriented attorneys with discretion, good judgment, litigation experience, and excellent analytical and writing skills.
OPR’s small size fosters collegiality and collaboration. OPR attorneys and administrative staff are public-service oriented and dedicated to OPR’s mission to ensure that Department attorneys perform their duties with integrity in accordance with the high professional standards expected of the nation’s principal law enforcement agency. By working to improve the professional conduct of federal prosecutors and other Department attorneys, OPR attorneys uphold the highest standards of the legal profession.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
OPR attorneys enjoy a challenging mix of responsibilities that require investigative, analytical, and oral and written communication skills. OPR attorneys are expected to work independently and to effectively manage multiple concurrent assignments. Duties include the following:
- Developing investigative plans
- Locating and reviewing relevant records and other physical evidence
- Conducting in-depth interviews of witnesses and subjects
- Researching complex and novel ethical issues
- Identifying the relevant standards of conduct and applying the facts to reach well-supported conclusions
- Drafting memoranda and reports that concisely summarize the facts developed during the investigation, discuss the legal analysis, and explain the investigative findings
- Making recommendations for appropriate action to OPR and Department leadership
OPR’s offices are in the historic RFK Main Justice Building in Washington, D.C., with convenient access to parking, public transportation, and downtown attractions. A hybrid work mode is available that includes telework opportunities consistent with office policy. Work modes are subject to review and change based on the needs of the office. Remote work is not available.
If you previously applied to Announcement numbers ATY 22-001 or ATY 22-002, you need not apply to this vacancy announcement.
OPR seeks experienced attorneys with an interest in professional responsibility, who possess the legal skills and sound judgment necessary to evaluate the sensitive issues that arise during attorney misconduct investigations. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar in good standing in any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and have at least 5 years post-J.D. experience.
Candidates should enjoy investigating factual disputes, resolving challenging legal questions, and crafting polished written work products. The ability to produce well-reasoned, high-quality written work is essential. A successful applicant will have significant expertise in conducting depositions or case-related interviews; handling trials at the federal, state, or local level; appellate advocacy; or similar litigation or investigative experience. Candidates must be able to identify ethical issues, locate and obtain evidence, handle challenging interviews, and make recommendations regarding the appropriate resolution of a matter. Knowledge of and familiarity with the rules and obligations imposed on prosecutors and other government attorneys by the Constitution, federal statutes, court decisions, orders, rules, regulations, Department policies, and applicable state bar rules is preferred but not required.
The individuals selected for these positions must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance as a condition of employment.
Interested candidates should send via email a PDF file containing a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript, and writing sample (not to exceed 20 pages) to OPR.Applications@usdoj.gov. The cover letter should describe the applicant’s interest in the position and highlight relevant experience applicable to the stated job description and qualifications. Those selected for an interview will be asked at that time to provide proof of active bar membership, and if a federal government employee, a copy of their two most recent annual performance appraisals. Please reference announcement OPR ATY 22-003 in your cover letter and in the email subject line. No telephone calls please.
For more information about OPR, please visit our Web page at https://www.justice.gov/opr
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. Please notify this office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this office is involved, or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this office is involved, so that any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue may be evaluated and addressed.
The possible salary ranges for these positions are GS-14 ($126,233 - $164,102) and GS-15 ($148,484 - $176,300) depending on qualifications and experience.
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Department Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.