General Attorney (Trademark Law)

Full Job Description

The Office of the Solicitor acts as litigation counsel for the USPTO on intellectual property law matters and also works in collaboration with the Department of Commerce on interagency intellectual property law matters.

The incumbent will have opportunities to brief and argue cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as manage and participate in litigation in other federal courts.

The work is challenging, and the atmosphere is professional and collegial.

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position.

You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service. For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-14.

Qualified applicants should possess both specialized experience and professional/legal experience as listed below: Specialized experience for this position includes: Drafting pleadings, briefs, and/or legal opinions in the area of trademark law; and Conducting legal research and drafting written work product analyzing complex and difficult legal, factual, or policy issues in the area of trademark law.

AND Applicants must possess a minimum of four (4) years of professional law/legal experience, post J.D.

as described below: Professional Legal/Law Experience is defined as having experience including judicial clerkship(s), in the area of Trademark litigation.

Trademark litigation includes federal district court trademark cases, trademark appeals to the U.S. federal courts of appeal, and trial proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

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 physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia.

Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person.

Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion.

The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year This position is located in the Office of General the Counsel, Office of the Solicitor.

As a lead attorney on a particular case or policy matter, the individual selected for this position must ENJOY: Defending decisions of the Director and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in federal district and appellate courts.

Preparing and filing amicus briefs on behalf of the Director on issues of importance to the development of trademark law.

Coordinating with the Department of Commerce and the Department of Justice to assist the Solicitor General in intellectual property cases before the United States Supreme Court.

Managing all aspects of litigations and appeals, including case strategy, motions practice, oral arguments, written discovery, depositions, and trial.

Providing legal and policy advice to senior management and other offices within the Agency on trademark, copyright, ethics and disciplinary matters, including rulemaking, procedures, and proposed legislation.

Handling trademark clearance and enforcement matters.

Assisting the Deputy General Counsel and the Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline in prosecuting practitioners charged with misconduct before an Administrative Judge (and, if necessary, defending those decisions in federal court).