Legal Careers
Trial Attorney - Detail (ITFO-NY)
The Department of Justice Civil Division seeks current DOJ attorneys to serve on non-reimbursable details to the Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch International Trade Field Office in New York through February 28, 2026, with option to extend. Candidates are expected to perform the work in person in accordance with the Department's return to work and telework policies. Detailee must obtain their Office's approval and will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Civil Division.
The International Trade Field Office (ITFO) represents the United States, its departments and agencies, and federal officials in both affirmative and defensive litigation in the United States Court of International Trade. The ITFO also handles appeals of Court of International Trade decisions in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Matters within ITFO’s area of responsibility include, among others: importer challenges to U.S. Customs and Border Protection decisions concerning the classification and valuation of imported merchandise, and other questions arising under the tariff laws; lawsuits relating to the interpretation and application of trade-related presidential proclamations, executive orders, international treaties and free trade agreements; disputes over the government’s refusal to grant or the revocation of various licenses under the customs laws; and actions for the collection of duties and penalties under the customs laws. The majority of ITFO’s cases are reviewed de novo, although some may be reviewed on an administrative record.
The Trial Attorney will be responsible for representing the United States in all aspects of "first chair" trial and appellate litigation. At the trial stage, attorneys personally manage their own cases, conduct fact investigation, work with expert witnesses, serve and respond to written discovery, take and defend depositions, write all substantive and procedural briefs, conduct all aspects of any trial, and present oral argument in the United States Court of International Trade. Attorneys also personally handle all aspects of appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition, attorneys engage in settlement negotiations, and recommend settlements of litigation when appropriate. In handling cases, attorneys work closely with counsel from Federal client agencies.
Matters within ITFO's area of responsibility include, among others: importer challenges to U.S. Customs and Border Protection decisions concerning the classification and valuation of imported merchandise, and other issues under the tariff laws; lawsuits relating to the interpretation and application of trade-related presidential proclamations, executive orders, international treaties and free trade agreements; disputes over the government's refusal to grant or the revocation of various licenses under the customs laws; and actions for the collection of duties and penalties under the customs laws.
The ITFO offers an energetic, collegial work environment that requires attorneys to exercise sound judgment at all times. Attorneys must have excellent time-management skills and be willing to assume substantial responsibility. Because ITFO attorneys appear in a court with nationwide jurisdiction, travel may be required. This is a non-supervisory position.
This is not a remote location position. You will be required to work in person at an agency location on a full-time basis.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least one year of post-JD legal experience, be a current Department of Justice Attorney and a U.S. citizen. Applicants must have excellent writing and advocacy skills, as well as superior negotiation and interpersonal skills. Successful applicants will be highly motivated, exhibit sound judgment and creativity.
This position does not require or provide a clearance. However, if needed, the applicant should be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
Candidates interested in applying to the announcement, should click here. Applications must be received by September 2, 2025. Prior to submitting your materials, you must have supervisory support for consideration of this detail.
This announcement is intended to provide readily available applicants for detail positions within ITFO-NY, Civil Division. Three positions may be filled from this announcement. Two candidate lists will be generated: one on 08/22/25 and the second on 09/02/25 Qualified applicants will be reviewed and referred to Management.
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.
Under a detail assignment, there is no change to the selectee’s base pay. The positions will be filled at the employee's current grade level.
Department Policies
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
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 behalf from 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.
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. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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 Veteran 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.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.