Legal Advisor

Duties

The Legal Advisor provides appropriate guidance to senior staff and management on administrative and operational areas as needed to ensure the effective operations of the court. This position does not work on substantive matters involving cases pending before the court.

Responsibilities

• Legal Review and Advice - Conduct legal research and provide procedural and substantive advice on legal policy matters applicable to daily court operations and activities. Conduct research on specific legal questions and report on the results of such research. Provide substantive legal advice and review to senior staff and management concerning procurement, human resources, facilities and security, information technology, court operations and administration, and ethics matters. Analyze and interpret federal statutes and regulations, Administrative Office directives, policies and procedures, and court rules and orders affecting the operation and work of the court. Coordinate requests for legal assistance and representation requests with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
• Local Rules and Policy Coordination - Review and draft changes to local rules, internal operating procedures, administrative orders of the court, forms, and guidelines, including managing the court's rule amendment and public notice requirements and publication of the court's local rules. Provide administrative support to the court's Rules Committee. Assist the Circuit Executive and Clerk of Court in the development of guidelines by which the federal and local rules are applied within the Clerk's Office in cases filed with the court. Coordinate with the Federal Circuit's Office of General Counsel as needed.
• Court Operational Policy Coordination - Assist the Circuit Executive and Clerk of Court in the development and review of court administrative policies, standard operating procedures, and other policies. Provide substantive support to court offices and subject matter experts in implementing procedural and policy changes. Research and prepare reports in support of court operations as needed, including recommending changes as needed. Provide support as needed to prepare materials for and to implement decisions of the Federal Circuit Judicial Council.
• Compliance and Risk Management - Coordinate with senior staff and management in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the court's risk management and compliance program, including preparing regular status reports and ensuring appropriate corrective and preventative actions are implemented following audits. Monitor and evaluate existing and proposed laws, rules, court decisions, judiciary regulations, and Judicial Conference and Administrative Office directives to determine the impact on court operations and to propose changes to court policies or procedures as necessary to comply with such changes.
• Public Information Support - Draft administrative orders and public notices for review and consideration by the Chief Judge or Circuit Executive. Coordinate with the court's public information office on media and public inquiries and the development of new public content and materials. Draft responses to inquiries to the Circuit Executive and Clerk or Court regarding procedures or information requests about the court's processes or procedural matters. Prepare responses to requests for assistance from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts or other courts regarding proposed amendments to policies, codes, rules, and official forms. Respond to surveys and requests for information relating to court operations and procedures.
• General Responsibilities - Communicate and respond to judges, chambers staff, and management requests regarding circuit operations. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to explain complex operational matters and concepts to individuals and groups with varying experience and backgrounds. Interact effectively with the public and staff, providing good customer and quality ser vice and resolving difficulties efficiently while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures. Develop, implement, and maintain written procedures for assigned functions. Comply with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, applicable Administrative Office policies and procedures, internal controls guidelines, and all local policies and procedures. Abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Always demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment. Display a careful and deliberate approach in handling confidential information in a variety of contexts.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and must travel at their own expense. Reimbursement for relocation is not available. The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.

The position will report to downtown Washington, DC; however, telework may be available on an ad hoc basis and/or according to agency policy. Employees of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are excepted service appointments. Federal government civil service classifications or regulations do not apply. All offers of employment are provisional pending successful completion of a background check or investigation and a favorable employment suitability determination. This position is subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

Must be a U. S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C.§ 1324b(a)(3)(B). Under 8 U.S.C.§1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Entry-Level Candidates

Entry-level candidates will receive tailored training and experience necessary for the incumbent to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to progressively assume increasing responsibilities. Entry-level candidates are required to obtain and maintain admission to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States within the first year of employment.

• CL-27 ($62,852 - $78,592): Graduation with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school that has been accredited by a recognized accrediting authority and pending admission to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States. Candidates scheduled to graduate in Spring 2023 and sit for the bar in July 2023 may be considered for appointment at this level.
• CL-28 ($75,343 - $94,199): One year of specialized experience and admission (or pending admission) to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States.

Experienced Candidates

Experienced candidates must have a minimum of two years specialized experienced which is defined as progressively responsible technical experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Experienced candidates are required to maintain active and good standing status to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States.

• CL-29 ($89,598 - $145,641): Two years of specialized experience and admission to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States.
• CL-30 ($105,881 - $172,099): Three years of specialized experience and admission to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States.

The incumbent must be an innovative and creative problem solver who can effectively work with staff to define and develop solutions to, and provide legal advice for, business problems. incumbents must have demonstrated the ability to work independently in a team environment as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities within strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Specialized Experience

Specialized experience is defined as post-law school work experience engaged in the practice of law either in private practice, for a non-profit organization, for a government agency, or in a judicial clerkship.

The following may also be credited as one year of specialized experience:

• Graduation in the upper third of class from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools;
• Membership on the editorial board of a law review of such a school; or
• Graduation with an advanced degree (e.g., LLM, SJD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation in the upper third of law school class; membership on the editorial board of a law review or similar publication; special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school such as election to the Order of the Coif, teaching or research assistant in law school, publication in a law review, or participation in a law school clinical program.
• Prior experience as a federal law clerk or court staff legal position.
• Demonstrated knowledge of court culture and organizational dynamics, such as through a prior position or internship with a federal or state court.
• Prior experience with the federal court electronic case management system (CM/ECF).
• Prior experience or familiar with media relations or public information.
• Knowledge of and experience with SharePoint Online and Microsoft Office 365.

Education

Graduation with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school that has been accredited by a recognized accrediting authority and admission to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States within the first year of employment.

Additional information

Benefits

A generous benefits package is available to full-time permanent court employees including:

• Paid vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
• Optional participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits plans (health, dental and vision); Federal Employees Group Life Insurance; Flexible Benefits Program; Long-Term Care Insurance; Health Care Reimbursement (HCRA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement (HCRA).
• Public transportation subsidy, on-site fitness center, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Optional participation in Thrift Savings Plan (up to 5% employer matched contributions).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program pursuant to the term of the ( PSLF ) program.
• For more benefit information visit the Judiciary's Benefits Page .

Other Information

The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.