The Tax Division is looking for Trial Attorneys to join the Civil Trial Sections. Our attorneys have a passion for litigation; a deep interest in public service; and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. Familiarity with tax law and the use of technology in organizing, developing, and presenting a case at trial is helpful, but not required. Attorneys in the Civil Trial Sections represent the United States in litigation in federal and state courts across the country.
The mission of the Tax Division is to enforce the nation's internal revenue laws fully, fairly, and consistently, through both criminal and civil litigation, in order to promote voluntary compliance with the tax laws, maintain public confidence in the integrity of the tax system, and promote the sound development of the law.
The Department of Justice ranked 13th among large size agencies, and the Tax Division ranked as the #1 litigating division in the Department of Justice, in the Partnership for Public Service's 2020 "Best Places to Work".
We seek to create a work environment and organizational culture that reflect the diversity of American society, and to foster the success of every employee by valuing and building upon the unique skills and experiences that each individual brings to the workplace.
We place a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspective and encourage applications from all interested eligible candidates, including attorneys of all ages from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, all sexual orientations and gender identities, political affiliations, marital or parental status, religious backgrounds, with or without disabilities, and with or without military service.
For more information about the Tax Division, please see https://www.justice.gov/tax/about-division
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Trial Attorneys in the Civil Trial Sections are the front-line litigators for the United States for tax disputes in federal district and bankruptcy courts and the Court of Federal Claims. These cases arise all over the United States, and, under normal conditions, significant travel is required of our attorneys for depositions, hearings, and trials. Most Trial Attorneys are responsible for a range of cases, including matters they handle alone and others where they work as a member of a litigation team. In either situation, our attorneys have front-line responsibility for taking and defending depositions, writing and arguing motions, working with fact and expert witnesses, and trying cases.
Because we handle most litigation outside of the Tax Court involving the Internal Revenue Service, our attorneys handle cases that touch all aspects of the American economy and involve litigants ranging from individuals and small businesses up to and including the largest corporations. Trial Attorneys defend the United States in tax refund actions and bring affirmative suits to collect tax cases that can involve complex commercial transactions or require proof that the taxpayer made a fraudulent transfer of property. Our attorneys defend suits testing the constitutional validity of aspects of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. They obtain injunctions against those who try to bilk the Treasury out of money by selling fraudulent tax shelter schemes or by preparing fraudulent tax returns for customers in order to fulfill a promise of a large refund. Our attorneys represent the United States in bankruptcy, receivership, and probate proceedings. And they handle many other miscellaneous matters touching on tax, like enforcing civil penalties for failure to timely report foreign financial accounts; defending IRS employees in Bivens suits; enforcing IRS administrative summonses; or protecting the United States' immunity from local taxes.
Attorneys selected for these positions will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form within thirty (30) days of entering into the position. This information must be reported annually.
Our civil trial attorneys must be able to work independently to develop their cases factually and legally. They must be willing to work collaboratively with the Internal Revenue Service, internal supervisors and peers to present those cases in the most effective manner. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are essential.
Applicants must have:
- A desire to litigate civil cases in federal court;
- Substantial organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple matters concurrently;
- A strong interest in developing their litigation skills, in learning about and applying new technologies, and in remaining current on developments in the law;
- An academic background that demonstrates a commitment to producing professional work of a consistently outstanding caliber; and
- An ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
We value persuasiveness, judgment, initiative and teamwork. Familiarity with tax law and the use of technology in organizing, developing, and presenting a case at trial is helpful, but not required.
The Tax Division anticipates hiring Trial Attorneys with varying levels of experience. Applicants must have at least one (1) year of full-time post-J.D. legal experience by the closing date of this announcement.
Applicants must have a Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Attorneys selected for a position in the Tax Division must commit to working for the Tax Division for three years.
To apply for this position, you must apply through USAJOBS. Please use the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/630167700
Applications must include:
- a cover letter;
- resume;
- law school and any advanced degree transcripts;
- a list of three professional references; and
- a completed assessment questionnaire.
All documents should be provided in either PDF or MS Word format. The cover letter, which should not exceed two single-spaced pages, should describe how your background and qualifications make you well suited for the position as a Trial Attorney, taking into account the Responsibilities and Qualifications described in the advertisement. You should specifically provide a description of prior litigation experience, your interest in public service, and your interest in the Tax Division in particular. Consider the cover letter an opportunity to inform hiring officials about something not reflected in your resume that you would like them to know about you.
If you don't include all of the documents we require, we may not be able to fully consider your application.
Applicants selected for further consideration will be required to prepare and submit a piece of legal writing in response to a writing prompt prior to an interview.
Applicants who previously applied to the Tax Division must reapply in order to be considered under this job announcement.
Applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference or consideration under a special hiring authority (such as programs for individuals with disabilities) must submit appropriate documentation demonstrating eligibility. In order to verify Veterans' Preference entitlement, please submit the Member copy 4 of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty; official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a signed and dated Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Department of Justice attorneys eligible for priority consideration under the Department's Reemployment Priority List Program must include notice to the Division of their eligibility in their application package.
The Tax Division is also advertising for trial attorneys for the Criminal Enforcement Sections. Individuals interested in applying for the Criminal Enforcement Sections must submit an application to that announcement.
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.