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Trial Attorney

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Apr 13, 2021
Duties

Summary

Apply now to join the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Division of Enforcement (DOE) to investigate suspected violations of and enforce the Commodity Exchange Act.
Please visit www.cftc.gov to learn more about the CFTC.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is open to all duty locations - Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MO; New York, NY; and Washington, DC

As a Trial Attorney you will be responsible for conducting investigations and handling enforcement duties pursuant to the provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

This will include the following:
• Investigating suspected violations of the Act by taking investigative testimony and acquiring and analyzing information relevant to suspected violations.
• Litigating all phases of CFTC enforcement actions against defendants in United States District Courts and administrative proceedings on occasions. Responsibilities include preparing complaints and motions for statutory restraining orders, conducting discovery, and representing the CFTC at hearings and trials.
• Participating in cooperative enforcement matters including with the United States Department of Justice and other federal and state law enforcement authorities.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Background/Security Investigation
  • Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Required to serve a 2-year trial period

Bar Membership: Currently an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Applicants are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as JD and Bar membership information (institution name, state for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will result in an incomplete application.

You must answer each qualification question for the grade or grades you wish to be considered for employment.

Qualifications

You must have a J.D. Degree, bar membership and good standing to practice law in bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Four successful years of legal practice experience, acquired after the completion of law school, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from law school. At least one year of this experience must have been at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to at least the GS/CT-13 level in the Federal Service.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience in and/or knowledge relating to white collar law enforcement.
  • Experience in and/or knowledge relating to litigating and investigating complex financial cases, including understanding of complex corporate structures and trading activity in derivatives and related commodities markets as well as swap products.
  • Experience with and/or knowledge of litigation practices and principles such as the rules of evidence, trial practices, and investigative techniques used in complex financial cases.


Education

Education: Successful completion of a full course of study of Juris Doctorate or equivalent in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Relocation. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Trial Period. You may be subject to a two year trial period, if applicable.

Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. 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, http://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 his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement from other geographical locations as needed.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This job is being filled under a Schedule A hiring authority 5 CFR 213.3102 and is excepted from the competitive civil service. You will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the relevance and quality of your experience and education, bar membership, and on the desired qualifications described above.

Your resume will be referred to the selecting official for the initial review of qualifications. This does not mean you are considered highly qualified for the position. A second level of qualification analysis will be conducted by the HR Specialist to ensure the selectee meets all requirements, including education and minimum qualifications listed on the vacancy announcement. A complete application package is required to be considered qualified and eligible for selection. Please review the "Requirements" section of the vacancy announcement to understand the list of required documents for a complete application package. Additional information may be requested later in the recruitment process.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete Application Package to be found qualified and eligible for this position. You may be required to provide additional documentation at a later time in the recruitment process. All documentation will be required prior to finalizing selections and job offers. You may be disqualified if you fail to submit a completed application package.
    • Cover Letter including a statement of interest (optional)
    • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment and supervisor(s) name(s) and telephone number(s). You may add a notation asking to be notified prior to OGC contacting the listed supervisor.
    • writing sample, illustrating relevant experience
    • Law school transcripts (final copy with date degree was awarded, unofficial copy accepted)
    • Proof of active bar membership/status in good standing and eligibility to practice law in state, U.S territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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