SummaryThe Civil Division, Tax Litigation Branch, is looking for attorneys to join its Trial Section. Our attorneys have a passion for litigation; a deep interest in public service; and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. Well-qualified candidates may be eligible for a
signing bonus of up to $25,000, depending on qualifications, education, and other factors. All recipients of a signing bonus are required to fulfill a service obligation.
Learn more about this agencyDutiesHelp
Tax Litigation Branch trial attorneys serve as front-line litigators for the United States in tax disputes in federal district courts, bankruptcy courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and, on occasion, state courts. These cases arise nationwide, and significant travel is required for depositions, hearings, and trials.
Attorneys are responsible for a diverse caseload, handling matters both independently and as part of a litigation team. In all cases, attorneys take primary responsibility for developing and litigating cases, including taking and defending depositions, drafting and arguing motions, working with fact and expert witnesses, and trying cases.
The Branch handles most litigation outside of the Tax Court involving the Internal Revenue Service. In this role, attorneys work on cases that span all sectors of the American economy and involve litigants ranging from individuals and small businesses to the largest corporations.
Representative matters include:
- Defending the United States in tax refund actions
- Bringing affirmative suits to collect taxes, including cases involving complex commercial transactions and fraudulent transfers of property
- Defending challenges to the constitutional and statutory validity of provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations
- Obtaining injunctions against individuals and entities engaged in fraudulent tax shelter schemes or the preparation of fraudulent tax returns
- Representing the United States in bankruptcy, receivership, and probate proceedings
- Enforcing civil penalties, including those related to foreign financial account reporting requirements
- Defending Internal Revenue Service employees in Bivens actions
- Enforcing Internal Revenue Service administrative summonses
- Protecting the United States' immunity from state and local taxation
Through this work, attorneys play a critical role in developing federal tax law and ensuring that all taxpayers meet their obligations under the law.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Must complete a Background Investigation to include drug testing
- All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
- May require completion of a 2-year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.)
- May be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
- 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.
QualificationsAttorneys in this position must be able to work independently to develop their cases factually and legally, and work collaboratively with the Internal Revenue Service, internal supervisors, and peers to present cases in the most effective manner. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
- To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year of legal experience.
- To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have minimum (1) or more years post-J.D. legal experience
- To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
- To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
- To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Preferred Qualifications:In addition to the required qualifications listed above, the ideal candidate will have experience interpreting or applying provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code, the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and/or the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and related laws, rules, and regulations that arise in tax and bankruptcy cases, or other complex legal statutes, rules, and regulations.
Additional desirable experience includes a demonstrated record of analyzing complex legal problems, developing litigation strategies, and superior trial practice skills; working with expert witnesses; managing or working as a member of a trial team; making oral arguments; and trial or evidentiary hearing experience.
The ideal candidate will also have the ability to identify, distill, and explain complex issues, as well as experience working with document management software to review discovery productions (e.g., Relativity or Everlaw) and with trial organization and presentation software (e.g., CaseMap or OnCue). Experience working with or for federal agencies is also preferred.
Trial Period StatementAs a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
EducationAll 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. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
OR
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 https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional informationThe Division plans to onboard new attorneys by September 6, 2026, with recruitment incentives contingent upon the availability of funding. Because the onboarding process can be lengthy and funding is limited, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their completed application as soon as possible for consideration.
Applicants approved for a signing bonus must sign a service agreement prior to onboarding, committing to a service period of two years or longer, depending on the candidate's experience.
Applicants who are currently employed by the federal government are not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
Veteran Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veterans' preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/.
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. 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 Veterans' Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdffor a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s).
DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: U.S. Department of Justice Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Issued December 31, 2025
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at: www.benderconsult.com.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalffrom inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally,
before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the 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.
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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.
