Reimbursable Detail Opportunity - Attorney

The Civil Rights Division (CRT or Division) of the Department of Justice, created by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society.  The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status. 

The Criminal Section (CRM) prosecutes cases involving the violent interference with liberties and rights defined in the Constitution or federal law. The rights of both citizens and non-citizens are protected. In general, it is the use of force, threats, or intimidation that characterize a federal criminal violation of an individual’s civil rights.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.

CRM seeks one or more attorneys to serve a one-year reimbursable detail; the detail may be extended with the mutual consent of all parties.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and consistent with District of Columbia guidance and Department of Justice policy, CRT is in a maximum telework posture with personnel working remotely, with exceptions for mission critical travel or onsite work.  The expectation is that the detailee will work remotely, unless the Section determines the need for business travel or meetings/limited onsite work at CRM’s 4CON building at 150 M Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.

The individual selected will be dedicated to the Section’s work of investigating and prosecuting sensitive and complex cases involving violations of federal criminal civil rights statutes, including those that prohibit deprivations of rights under color of law, hate crimes, human trafficking, and interference with reproductive health care services.

The Trial Attorney’s investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities include, among other things:

• Review and analyze allegations of criminal violations; develop strategies for investigations; coordinate with federal law enforcement agencies to ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly and effectively; develop testimonial and documentary evidence relevant to cases; present evidence to federal grand juries; identify relevant legal issues in cases and investigations; recommend for or against federal prosecution; meet and confer with officials from CRT, the Department of Justice, other federal, state, and local government agencies, and interested non-governmental organizations; and establish good working relationships with partners from United States Attorney’s Offices and federal investigative agencies nationwide;
• Prepare and present cases for prosecution, to include: preparing grand jury authorization requests, prosecution summaries, and indictment recommendations; preparing indictments, motions, pleadings, and briefs; conducting pretrial discovery and motions practice; developing testimonial and documentary evidence for trial; and conducting every aspect of trial preparation and trial presentation in federal criminal trials in jurisdictions across the United States; and
• Handle non-litigation matters that arise in relation to the Section’s mission of investigating and prosecuting criminal civil rights and cases. These non-litigation duties might include participating in strategy and coordination meetings; conducting legal trainings, public presentations, and other forms of outreach; meeting with interested persons regarding prosecutorial decisions; and other non-litigation duties.

Candidates must be individuals on a permanent (not time limited) attorney position within the Department of Justice, possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of a bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and possess three years post-professional law degree experience.  Applicants must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the work of the section or substantially similar laws, rules and regulations; written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have outstanding professional references.
 
Preferred Qualifications: The following qualifications are preferred, but not required: (1) first-chair criminal prosecution or defense experience; (2) criminal or civil jury trial experience; (3) federal criminal or civil litigation experience; (4) experience with complex criminal investigations, especially in utilizing investigative grand juries;
and (5) substantial knowledge of federal constitutional law. Other preferred qualifications include judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skills and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as charging parties, witnesses, respondents, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies.

This is a reimbursable detail assignment. There will be no change in salary. Positions will be filled at employee’s current salary level.

As pandemic restrictions lift, significant travel will be expected.

CRT encourages all interested and qualified attorneys to apply for this position.  Individuals interested in this detail opportunity should submit a cover letter, a resume, your most recent performance appraisal, and most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that is not an award to [email protected].  The subject line of your email should include #21-DEP-007-CRM (DTL). 

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Not Authorized

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