Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position serves as an Attorney in the Litigation, Enforcement, or Policy Division of the Office of General Counsel at the FEC.

• This vacancy announcement is a standing register, open continuously for one year.
• The next cut-off date is 2/23/2026.
• Future cut-off dates are at the hiring manager's discretion.
• If you are found qualified and eligible, your name will remain on the register through the closing date of the announcement.
• This is a bargaining unit position.

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Duties
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Join the FEC's legal team! Our attorneys advise the Commission on complex legal questions involving FECA and cutting edge First Amendment principles.
As an Attorney-Adviser in this position, you will work within the Litigation, Enforcement, or Policy division providing legal advice, analysis, research, and/or investigative activities in connection with the Federal Election Campaign Act and compliance with Commission policy and regulations.
The Attorney-Adviser for the Litigation Division will:

• Handle all aspects of district court and appellate court litigation including taking and defending depositions, managing written discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs and other documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions, conducting trials, and presenting oral arguments.
• Draft briefs, complaints, answers, motions, and other documents necessary to represent the Commission in court, frequently including sophisticated dispositive motions involving complex constitutional and administrative law issues.
• Conduct depositions, manage discovery, present oral arguments, and negotiate settlements.
• Advise and report to the Commission on assigned litigation matters including development of strategy in complex cases.
• Assist the United States Solicitor General in representing the Commission and addressing questions before the Supreme Court that impact the agency's programs.

The Attorney-Adviser for the Enforcement Division will:

• Analyze a large range of complex and sometimes high-profile enforcement matters generated internally or by complaints filed by members of the public alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
• Provide legal advice, recommendations, and opinions on a range of enforcement issues.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on matters involving procedural decisions.
• Prepare legal memoranda or other documents.
• Review legal documents for timeliness, accuracy, legal consistency, clarity, and procedural correctness.
• Brief the Associate General Counsel on a variety of legal issues and recommend a position.

The Attorney-Adviser for the Policy Division will:

• Write advisory opinions, regulations, and policy statements involving complex campaign finance, administrative law, and constitutional issues.
• Draft regulations implementing the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and other relevant statutes.
• Conduct research to present and address policy questions before the Commission.
• Provide legal review of publications and other agency documents.

Please note: Depending on workload considerations, staff attorneys assigned to a specific division may assist on projects from other divisions within OGC.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You must be able to pass a background investigation.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
• You may be required to serve a 2 year probationary period.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• You must meet qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the Basic Requirements and the Specialized Experience Requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. A copy of your unofficial or official transcripts must be provided with your application.
Basic Requirements (applicable to ALL grade levels):
A. Education: Possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
AND,
B. Bar Membership: Be an active member in good standing of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
In addition to meeting both of the Basic Requirements above, you must meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level listed below.
Minimum Qualification Requirement for GS-11: Applicant must possess the minimum requirements of (1) a law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and (2) Bar admission, being licensed and in good standing to practice law as an Attorney under the laws of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-12: Applicant must have at least 1 year of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 federal grade level, participating in providing legal advice, analysis, research, or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching legal precedent; (2) drafting briefs, motions, or other legal documents; (3) assisting with taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; and (4) making oral presentations of legal research/analysis.
Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-13: Applicant must have at least 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 federal grade level participating in providing legal advice, analysis, research, or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching legal precedent; (2) drafting briefs, motions, or other documents in preparation for trial or administrative proceedings; (3) assisting with taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; (4) assisting senior staff with settlement negotiations with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) making oral presentations of legal arguments or results of legal research/analysis.
Specialized Experience Requirement for GS-14: Applicant must have at least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas. At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 federal grade level providing legal advice, analysis, research, and/or litigation work. This must include activities such as: (1) conducting extensive legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including researching precedent or opinions bearing on a legal issue; (2) writing briefs, motions, reports, or recommendations in preparation for trial or administrative proceedings; (3) taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or parties; (4) participating in negotiating settlement agreements with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) presenting oral arguments in a court or administrative hearing.
In addition, applicants must provide a cover letter of at least two pages summarizing your evidence of the following competencies:

1. Legal Writing: Writes clear, concise, persuasive legal documents.
2. Legal Analysis: Researches, analyzes, and explains complex legal issues.
3. Investigations: Gathers information and examines facts for investigations or research; takes depositions; conducts witness interviews; drafts formal and informal written discovery.
4. Negotiating: Develops negotiation strategy; drafts and negotiates settlement agreements; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
5. Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; communicates complex legal principles succinctly and clearly.

We recommend your cover letter include examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the functions, activities, or services you delivered; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed, and the results of your actions.
Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
Volunteer work experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Please Note:

• If you are selected at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the next higher grade level once you have served 12 months and met performance requirements.
• If you are selected at the GS-13 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the GS-14 level once you have served 18 months at the GS-13 level and met performance requirements.
• Selection at the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 level does not guarantee promotion to the GS-14, full performance level.

Education
Applicants must submit a copy of unofficial or official transcripts conferring a J.D., or LL.B., or higher degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
A self-created transcript or a list of courses you have prepared is not acceptable.
Additional information
FEC offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules, telework and transportation subsidies.
Salary Ranges:
GS-11: $ 85,447 - $111,087
GS-12: $102,415 - $133,142
GS-13: $121,785 - $158,322
GS-14: $143,913 - $187,093
If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Federal Election Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. 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 by that form.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.