Attorney jobs in District of Columbia

The District of Columbia Office of Attorney General (OAG) seeks an experienced trial attorney for the Juvenile Section of its Public Safety Division. The Juvenile Section handles most juvenile prosecutions in the District of Columbia. The Section has jurisdiction to charge a juvenile for any criminal offense under the D.C. Code, Federal Code, or D.C. Municipal Regulations. Section attorneys work closely with other juvenile justice stakeholders to make appropriate charging decisions, interact with victims and witnesses, evaluate appropriate dispositions for involved juveniles, and litigate appropriate cases in the Superior Court’s Family Division.

Duties and Responsibilities

As an experienced trial attorney in the Juvenile Section, the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) will handle more complex and difficult matters. The AAG reviews the information presented and evaluates relevant case laws to determine whether the OAG will initiate a Family Court proceeding. The AAG review includes interviewing agency officials and other potential witnesses, evaluating available documents, viewing video evidence, and analyzing other information provided by law enforcement and other sources.

Trial attorneys engage in all aspects of criminal litigation, including interviewing and preparing police and civilian witnesses for trial, making charging decisions, researching legal issues, writing and litigating motions, and managing all aspects of a trial calendar from intake through sentencing, and conducting community outreach.

• The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating juvenile cases to determine if the OAG should file charges, if the juvenile is appropriate for diversion, if detention is needed to protect the community, and if a probable cause hearing is required.
• The successful candidate will manage a caseload generally involving more complex cases but may include less significant cases as necessary. The successful candidate will be responsible for complying with discovery obligations, including Rule 16, Brady, and Jencks, as required by law. Discovery obligations also include review and disclosure of relevant body-worn camera recordings, video surveillance, and information pertaining to officer and witness credibility and bias.
• The successful candidate will also be responsible for evaluating juvenile cases to determine the appropriateness of plea offers. The AAG will be responsible for determining available services and making plea offers to hold youth accountable for delinquent acts and to aid in their rehabilitation.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing felony and misdemeanor juvenile cases for trial. This includes reviewing the case file to determine what evidence is discoverable, gathering evidence to use at trial, subpoenaing victims and witnesses for trial, and preparing victims and witnesses to testify.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for presenting cases in court. This includes presenting opening statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations, and presenting closing arguments. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting legal research, writing motions, and arguing motions in court.
• The successful candidate will also be responsible for making recommendations to the court pertaining to the placement of youth, disposition of youth, and implementation and termination of court-ordered services. The candidate will be responsible for running a court docket.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education

The successful candidate must have at least four years of relevant related specialized experience, including one year of specialized experience equivalent to LA-13. The candidate must have substantive knowledge of District and federal law, excellent oral and written communication skills, and outstanding legal research skills. The candidate must also be organized and possess the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain working relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Previous experience prosecuting violent felonies, including murder, is desired.

ELIGIBILITY: The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.

HOW TO APPLY: Candidates should apply by 11:59 pm of the closing date indicated above.

PAY PLAN, SERIES, AND GRADE: LS-905-14

Salary: The maxinum salary budgeted for this position is $137,418.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Legal Service – Regular Appointment

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Local 2401. If you opt to join the union, and consent, a service fee will be paid through direct payroll deduction.

REMOTE WORK STATUS: A hybrid remote telework/in-office schedule option is available.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to Office Order 2023-10 (Revised COVID-19 Vaccine Policy) effective immediately, vaccination and additional boosters are no longer required but are strongly encouraged.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS

GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION: Displaced Employee Priority Placement: Candidates who are eligible for the District of Columbia’s Displaced Employee Program (DEP) and Agency Reemployment Priority Placement Program (ARPP) will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation), and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government’s retirement plan. However, if the selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia’s government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.

RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Education Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than in the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District residents’ applications, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming veterans’ preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after the conviction of or a plea of guilty to a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, physical disability, matriculation, genetic information, credit information, or status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL