General Attorney (Trade Regulation)

Full Job Description

The Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates and litigates civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws. For more information visit, https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc.

The Division of Advertising Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive advertising for a broad range of products and services, including: addiction-related services, foods, dietary supplements, and drugs including those marketed to treat, cure, or prevent serious diseases; emerging technology offerings, broadband providers, social media platforms, online ticket sellers, online travel sites, and products and services marketed to kids and teens.

In addition, the Division enforces the Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, the Unfair and Deceptive Fees Rule, Contact Lens Rule, Eyeglass Rule, the Inform Act and the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act.

The Division of Consumer and Business Education is a dynamic communications shop, responsible for developing and marketing plain language educational materials to help consumers know their rights in the marketplace, and to help businesses comply with the FTC laws and regulations.

The candidate selected for a position in the Division of Consumer and Business Education will focus on education, outreach, and guidance on the Take It Down Act.

The Division of Enforcement monitors compliance with administrative and federal court orders entered in FTC consumer protection cases.

These orders address a wide range of consumer protection issues, including advertising and financial practices, privacy, data security, high-tech fraud, business and impersonation scams, subscription billing and cancellation, and telemarketing.

The Division conducts investigations of possible order violations; files civil contempt actions in federal court to enforce injunctions; and initiates court actions to obtain civil penalties for order violations.

In addition, the Division leads the FTC's enforcement efforts for the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, "Made in USA" program, Green Guides (environmental marketing), and several other consumer protection rules and guides.

The Division also coordinates FTC actions with criminal law enforcement agencies through its Criminal Liaison Unit.

Finally, the Division oversees the Bureau of Consumer Protection's bankruptcy and collections programs.

The Division of Financial Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive acts or practices across a variety of critical financial areas, including mobile and financial technology, short-term lending, small business financing, auto sales and financing, debt collection, and debt relief.

The Division also enforces statutes and rules to protect consumers in the financial marketplace, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Military Lending Act, and engages in outreach and education about developing financial products and services to help prevent consumer harm in these areas.

The Division of Privacy and Identity Protection oversees issues related to consumer privacy, credit reporting, identity theft, and information security.

The Division enforces the statutes and rules within its jurisdiction, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB) Safeguards and Privacy Rules, and Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 (PADFAA).

The Division also leads the FTC's enforcement efforts of the Take It Down Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

The Division engages in outreach and policy development, and educates consumers and businesses about emerging privacy, credit reporting, and information security issues, as well as identity theft prevention and assistance.

BCP enforces consumer protection laws through aggressive litigation in a fast-paced environment.

Attorneys get the opportunity to lead cases, and take on primary responsibility for all aspects of the litigation.

Candidates selected for a position in the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection will focus on Take It Down Act enforcement.

Minimum Requirements Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B.

or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.

Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency.

Additional Requirements GS-14 Positions For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 42 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the Federal Government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience.

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 Major Duties:

The positions are located in the Division of Advertising Practices, Division of Consumer and Business Education, Division of Enforcement, Division of Financial Practices, and Division of Privacy and Identity Protection.

As a General Attorney (Trade Regulation), you will: - Make initial determinations as to whether matters should be investigated.

-Determine legal theories and plans for investigations and litigation and carry them out.

- Recommend whether cases should be closed, resolved informally or through administrative or federal court settlements, or litigated administratively or in federal court.

- Investigate matters and engage in all aspects of civil litigation, including preparing cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence; conferring with witnesses; deposing witnesses; drafting motions and legal briefs; drafting and responding to discovery requests; participating in pretrial conferences; examining and cross-examining witnesses; trying cases; and negotiating settlements.

- Prepare and prosecute difficult, complex, and important cases.

- Confer with government agencies, public authorities and attorneys, business people and other members of the public, providing them with information on matters of law, Commission procedure and policy.

- If involved in Take It Down Act enforcement (Division of Privacy and Identity Protection only), investigate sensitive matters, including those involving the publishing of non-consensual intimate visual depictions, including Child Sexual Abuse Material.

- If involved in Take It Down Act education, outreach, and guidance (Division of Consumer and Business Education only), develop, draft, and deliver highly technical communications with businesses and consumers related to the Take It Down Act mandates using plain language; track, research, and synthesize relevant enforcement cases, technological innovations, and legal developments, including relevant consumer privacy and security issues; and develop and execute a national outreach plan to promote the FTC's Take It Down Act messaging and advice to consumers, businesses, external stakeholders, and legal advocates.