Trial Attorney

JOB SUMMARY

Located in the nation’s capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends, and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Public Safety Division within the Juvenile Section.

The Public Safety Division handles all cases where young people commit a law violation in the District of Columbia and prosecutes selected adult misdemeanor cases. The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care. The Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between the young people who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested. The Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Trial attorneys engage in all aspects of criminal litigation, including interviewing and preparing police and civilian witnesses for trial, making charging decisions, researching legal issues, writing and litigating motions, managing all aspects of a trial calendar from intake through sentencing, and conducting community outreach.

• The successful candidate will evaluate juvenile cases to determine the appropriateness of plea offers. The candidate will determine what services to offer in plea offers to hold youth accountable for delinquent acts and help rehabilitate them.
• The successful candidate will prepare felony and misdemeanor juvenile cases for trial. This includes reviewing the case file to determine what evidence is discoverable, gathering evidence to use at trial, issuing subpoenas for victims and witnesses to appear at trial, and preparing victims and witnesses to testify at trial.
• The successful candidate will present cases in court. This includes presenting opening statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations, and presenting closing arguments. The successful candidate will conduct legal research, write motions, and argue motions in court.
• The successful candidate will also make recommendations to the court about the placement of youth, disposition of youth, and implementation and termination of court-ordered services. The candidate will be responsible for running a court docket.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

One year of post-law school full-time graduate law study (LL.M. or equivalent) or qualifying full-time legal fellowship may substitute for one year of experience at the grade 12.

The successful candidate must have at least one year of relevant related specialized experience. The candidate must have substantive knowledge of District and federal law, excellent oral and written communication skills, and outstanding legal research skills. Previous experience prosecuting violent felonies, including murder, is desired.

Submission of Documents:

Applications must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Unofficial transcripts if the applicant has less than five years of experience (official transcripts may be required if selected)
• Proof of active bar membership (or proof of eligibility to waive into D.C.)
• Writing samples (between 5 and 10 pages)

An applicant should save all documents together and upload them in E-recruit as one document, so we receive a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and transcripts.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL ATTACHMENTS WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM CONSIDERATION.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia during his/her employment in the Legal Service. If not currently a member of the District of the Columbia Bar, prior to their appointment, the successful candidate must send proof that his/her completed District of Columbia bar application has been submitted to the District of Columbia Bar.

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-12

Salary: $ 91,673 - $94,731; based on available funding for this position. Pay is administratively determined based, in part on the number of years of professional attorney experience.

Type of Appointment: Legal Service – Regular Appointment

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday; 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Local 2401. If you opt to join the union, and consent, a service fee will be paid through direct payroll deduction.

Remote Work Status: A hybrid remote telework/in-office schedule option is available.

GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION: Displaced Employee Priority Placement: Candidates who are eligible for the District of Columbia’s Displaced Employee Program (DEP) and Agency Reemployment Priority Placement Program (ARPP) will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation), and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government’s retirement plan. However, if the selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia’s government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.

RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Education Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than in the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District residents’ applications, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming veterans’ preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after the conviction of or a plea of guilty to a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, physical disability, matriculation, genetic information, credit information, or status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL