Assistant United States Attorney
Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
Posted: February 12, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Office of the Secretary
Department of Commerce
Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves providing legal advice to the U.S.
Department of Commerce on international trade and investment matters, helping with policy development, negotiations, and ensuring compliance with U.S. and global laws.
A good fit would be a licensed attorney with at least one year of experience in international economic or commercial law, who enjoys fast-paced work, team collaboration, and public service.
It's ideal for someone passionate about global trade issues and able to handle tight deadlines.
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of the General Counsel, is seeking full-time attorneys to join the Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce (OCC-IC).
This Attorney-Advisor position provides legal support to the International Trade Administration on international trade and investment issues.
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.
This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To be considered for this position, applicants must have a demonstrated interest in international economic or commercial matters and a minimum of one year of specialized professional legal experience interpreting and advising on U.S.
and international law or one year of specialized professional experience, ideally in the area of U.S. international trade, commercial, and investment policy.
For purposes of this position, specialized professional legal experience may consist of paid or unpaid experience post bar-admission, including Federal or State Government experience, law firm or legal practice, judicial clerkship, and/or unpaid or volunteer legal work.
Specialized legal experience is preferred.
We are seeking a candidate with the following additional qualifications: strong research, editing, and writing skills; effective analytical and reasoning skills with respect to identification and recommended minimization of legal risk; professional communication skills needed to successfully engage with peers, colleagues, supervisors, and clients; ability to handle and be responsible for a variety of assignments with short, time-critical deadlines; and interpersonal communication skills suitable for successfully working on a team on projects that require legal analysis.
We are also seeking a candidate with familiarity or experience with Government work, or other demonstrated interest in public service, and a demonstrated ability to meaningfully contribute to OCC-IC's workplace culture.
Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet these qualifications.
Education and Active Bar Membership Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or Master of Laws (L.L.M.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Official or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application package.
In addition, applicants must have an active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
AND For the GS-12 level have a minimum of one year of specialized professional or legal experience.
For the GS-13 level have a minimum of two years of specialized experience, one year of which must be specialized legal experience.
For the GS-14 level have a minimum of five years of specialized experience, three years of which must be specialized legal experience. Major Duties:
As an Attorney Advisor in OCC-IC, you will, among other things: Serve as a legal advisor to ITA concerning the interpretation and application of U.S.
and international law and international trade and investment agreements. Support ITA in working with other U.S.
Government agencies on trade and investment policy, trade negotiations, monitoring compliance by foreign trading partners, and trade compliance and enforcement actions.
Advise on matters relating to export and inward investment promotion programs and activities. Analyze U.S. law, U.S.
trade and investment agreements, and foreign trade agreements, laws, regulations, and policies. Coordinate with legal offices in other parts of DOC and in other U.S. Government agencies.
Perform duties on a range of legal issues that will vary in legal and factual complexity, often of a novel nature, and with limited if any applicable precedents.
With supervision, conduct research, develop legal strategies, and develop and present recommendations to policy officials. Work on matters that can have an important impact on U.S.
industry and the U.S. economy. Thoroughly and thoughtfully research and develop legal options in a fast-paced environment with short deadlines.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Attorney Advisor (Public Notice Flyer) GS-0905-12/13/14, FPL GS-15 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
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