Hiring Organization
Civil Division (CIV)
Hiring Office
Civil Division, Constitutional and Specialized Torts Litigation/Vaccine
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
AT-12979466-26-JDL
Location:
United States
Application Deadline:
Thursday, July 23, 2026
About the Office
The Torts Branch defends the United States and its employees in litigation seeking monetary judgment for damages resulting from alleged negligent or wrongful acts. The Torts Branch is the principal guardian of the public fisc in tort suits that seek billions of dollars in monetary damages each year. The Vaccine Act is a critical component of our nation's vaccination system and ensures that the very rare cases where people are harmed by covered vaccines, appropriate compensation is available.
Trial attorneys with the Vaccine Litigation Staff of the Office of Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation represent the interests of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in all cases filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act ("Vaccine Act"). The cases involve claims of injury as a result of the receipt of vaccines covered by the Act. The office is currently expanding to address a recent increase in cases filed under the Vaccine Act.
This position involves a unique trial practice in which attorneys engage with varied issues of public health, science, and medicine. Once attorneys gain the necessary familiarity with the relevant issues, they will get extensive opportunities to hone their litigating skills. Many cases involve complex scientific issues of causation that require expert witnesses in medical fields such as pediatrics, neurology, immunology, and epidemiology.
Vaccine Litigation is an office that prides itself on collegiality, with robust mentorship and training programs in place to ensure that new attorneys have support as they familiarize themselves with our practice area. Newer attorneys will focus primarily on litigating cases typically involving less complicated issues of science and medicine, with the goal of transitioning to handling more complex cases over time.
Job Description
As a Trial Attorney, the incumbent:
Prepares for and conducts hearings, settlement negotiations or trials of cases that may
involve difficult and complex factual situations.
Prepares memoranda such as pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents on the basis of factual and legal research.
Participates in pretrial and prehearing conferences.
Conducts trials or presents oral arguments in federal courts, state courts and administrative proceedings, as appropriate.
Examines formal filings for legal sufficiency.
Reviews submissions of party representatives to ensure procedural requirements are met.
Responds to inquiries from the White House, Congress, federal departments and agencies, state and local authorities, and private individuals on matters within scope of assigned statutory responsibilities.
Maintains personal contacts and works closely with officials and employees of the Division, officials and employees of the Department and other government agencies and the public on litigation and policy-related matters.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person five days a week.
Qualifications
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.
Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.
To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience.
To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Preferred qualifications: Applicants with proven advocacy, legal writing, negotiation skills, interpersonal skills and ability to exhibit good judgment preferred. Trial experience is strongly preferred, although not required.
Trial Period Statement
As 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.
Application Process
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation through USA Jobs:
USA Jobs Link - Trial Attorney
You must submit a cover letter highlighting month and year of relevant, resume (2-page resume or less suggested), and writing sample (not more than 12 pages in length). If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214, and/or other documentation that you may have. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be on or about June 23, 2026. Additional referral lists will be issued every two weeks thereafter during the open period of this announcement. This announcement may close at any time once all selections have been made. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure full consideration. Applications will be evaluated by a reviewing panel.
Please Note: The Selecting Official may select additional candidates if more positions become available within 120 days after the closing date of the vacancy.
No telephone calls, please.
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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Salary
$121,785.00 to $197,200.00 Per Year.
