Offices, Boards and Divisions
Trial Attorney (Environmental Torts Litigation)
Offices, Boards and Divisions, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Trial Attorney (Environmental Torts Litigation)
The Environmental Torts Litigation (ETL) is within the Torts Branch. The Branch is responsible for the defense of the United States and its employees in tort litigation seeking monetary judgments for damages from negligent or wrongful acts under Federal Tort Claims Act. ETL is responsible for defending toxic tort cases, including mass torts and also litigating cases under the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.Duties
The Environmental Torts Litigation Section, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice defends the United States in complex, high stakes civil litigation in federal courts nationwide. Its attorneys directly handle all aspects of wrongful death, personal injury, and property damage cases that often involve hundreds, even thousands, of plaintiffs. The cases typically stem from alleged exposure to environmental contaminants, such as biological agents, chemicals, and other substances. They also involve complex issues of causation, novel issues of federal and state law, and numerous expert witnesses. Given its unique expertise, the section has primary litigation responsibility for all suits brought against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act where the alleged injuries/damages are attributed to some form of an environmental contaminant. Many of the section's cases are litigated as mass torts or multidistrict litigation matters. Mass tort cases being litigated by the section relate to: alleged damage to water systems and personal injury claims due to the military's use of per-fluorinated compounds in firefighting; personal injury claims stemming from EPA's oversight of state and local entities involved in the Flint water crisis; personal injury claims related to a fuel spill at a Navy refueling facility in Hawaii; personal injury claims related to alleged groundwater contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and, damages from alleged contamination and remediation at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Handling complex jurisdictional questions, devising creative case-management solutions, and analyzing overlapping issues of history, law, and science are often the norm. At capacity, the section is comprised of approximately forty-five attorneys and ten members of support staff.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.Salary
$117,962 - $191,900/yearConditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen or NationalMust complete a Background Investigation to include drug testingSelective Service Registration is required, as applicableMay require completion of a fourteen month trial periodMust be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two year trial period.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.Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.Qualifications
Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least 1.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level, have at least 2.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level, and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen. Applicants should also have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills. Experience arguing motions, handling discovery, developing expert witness testimony, trying cases, and a federal judicial clerkship are highly desirable.Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at
here .Required Documents
Cover LetterResume showing month and year of relevant experience.Writing Sample (not more than 12 pages in length).DD-214 (Member-4 Copy) and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, on the listed closing date of this announcement. A complete application package must include:Cover Letter
(highlighting month and year of relevant experience).Résumé
- Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.Writing Sample
(12 pages or less).If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your
DD-214 (Member-4 Copy) , and/or other documentation that you may have.Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: AttorneyHire.ETL@usdoj.gov or Patti.king@usdoj.gov or Bridget.lipscomb@usdoj.gov.Benefits
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. Review our benefits. Eligibility 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.
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The Environmental Torts Litigation (ETL) is within the Torts Branch. The Branch is responsible for the defense of the United States and its employees in tort litigation seeking monetary judgments for damages from negligent or wrongful acts under Federal Tort Claims Act. ETL is responsible for defending toxic tort cases, including mass torts and also litigating cases under the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.Duties
The Environmental Torts Litigation Section, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice defends the United States in complex, high stakes civil litigation in federal courts nationwide. Its attorneys directly handle all aspects of wrongful death, personal injury, and property damage cases that often involve hundreds, even thousands, of plaintiffs. The cases typically stem from alleged exposure to environmental contaminants, such as biological agents, chemicals, and other substances. They also involve complex issues of causation, novel issues of federal and state law, and numerous expert witnesses. Given its unique expertise, the section has primary litigation responsibility for all suits brought against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act where the alleged injuries/damages are attributed to some form of an environmental contaminant. Many of the section's cases are litigated as mass torts or multidistrict litigation matters. Mass tort cases being litigated by the section relate to: alleged damage to water systems and personal injury claims due to the military's use of per-fluorinated compounds in firefighting; personal injury claims stemming from EPA's oversight of state and local entities involved in the Flint water crisis; personal injury claims related to a fuel spill at a Navy refueling facility in Hawaii; personal injury claims related to alleged groundwater contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and, damages from alleged contamination and remediation at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Handling complex jurisdictional questions, devising creative case-management solutions, and analyzing overlapping issues of history, law, and science are often the norm. At capacity, the section is comprised of approximately forty-five attorneys and ten members of support staff.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.Salary
$117,962 - $191,900/yearConditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen or NationalMust complete a Background Investigation to include drug testingSelective Service Registration is required, as applicableMay require completion of a fourteen month trial periodMust be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.Upon conversion to a permanent appointment with the Department, all Department attorneys are subject to a two year trial period.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.Financial Disclosure: If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.Qualifications
Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least 1.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level, have at least 2.5 years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level, and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen. Applicants should also have excellent academic credentials and outstanding advocacy and legal writing skills. Experience arguing motions, handling discovery, developing expert witness testimony, trying cases, and a federal judicial clerkship are highly desirable.Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at
here .Required Documents
Cover LetterResume showing month and year of relevant experience.Writing Sample (not more than 12 pages in length).DD-214 (Member-4 Copy) and/or veteran documentation, (if applicable).How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, on the listed closing date of this announcement. A complete application package must include:Cover Letter
(highlighting month and year of relevant experience).Résumé
- Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.Writing Sample
(12 pages or less).If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your
DD-214 (Member-4 Copy) , and/or other documentation that you may have.Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: AttorneyHire.ETL@usdoj.gov or Patti.king@usdoj.gov or Bridget.lipscomb@usdoj.gov.Benefits
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. Review our benefits. Eligibility 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr