Trial Attorney - Washington, United States - Washington D.C.

Description

General Job Information

Job Summary

Located in the nation's capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia.

OAG enforces the District's laws, works to protect and defend D.C. residents, and provides the highest level of independent legal advice and guidance to District of Columbia government agencies. This position is located in the Public Safety Division within the Juvenile Section Office.

The Public Safety Division handles all cases where young people commit a law violation in the District of Columbia and prosecutes selected adult misdemeanor cases.

The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care.

The Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between the young people who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested.

The Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will serve as an Attorney in the Public Safety Division, Juvenile Section and will be responsible for handling complex and difficult matters.

Responsibilities will include reviewing evidence presented by police departments to determine whether a proceeding should be initiated, conducting case law research on criminal and juvenile law related issues, and reviewing cases to determine what remedy is appropriate.

Review, for this purpose, includes interviewing victims and witnesses, collecting and examining relevant documents, viewing digital evidence, interpreting caselaw, and analyzing any other relevant information.

Specific responsibilities of the Trial Attorney include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing charging petitions, which includes evaluating the evidence presented and making a charging decision.
• Preparing motions, responses, and legal briefs/memoranda as appropriate.
• Preparing and conducting complex litigation, including preparation of witnesses and exhibits; collection and organization of physical and digital evidence; preparation and conduct of preliminary proceedings; identification, procurement, and preparation of expert services; examination of witnesses; and oral arguments.
• Performing extensive legal research.
• Preparing detailed memoranda of findings to support conclusions of cases.
• Negotiating the resolution of cases, with the approval of the supervisor.
• Consulting with agency partners to identify treatment plans that will address the rehabilitative needs of the youth being prosecuted, and, consistent with public safety, advocate for those services to be implemented at plea and disposition hearings.
• Performing all functions related to case and calendar management, such as pretrial, motion, and trial scheduling, preparation of case transfer or close-out reports, ABACUS entry and updating, documentation of action taken or orders issued, timely preparation and service of filings, timely issuance of subpoenas, and any other function associated with litigation.
• Incumbent will be an experienced first chair criminal attorney and, in that capacity, 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 witness to appear at trial, and preparing victims and witnesses to testify at trial.
• Incumbent will provide mentoring and support to junior and second chair juvenile prosecutors.
• Incumbent must have the ability to analyze serious felony cases, including homicide cases to prosecute them effectively.
• Incumbent is responsible for keeping abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the function of programs and the recommendations of appropriate courses of action to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
• Incumbent may have to confer with and incorporate concerns of District Government officials, members of administrative bodies, and officials outside the District Government with actions taken during enforcement of cases.
• Incumbent will be tasked with conducting trainings for the Juvenile Section in the Public Safety Division, and the Office of the Attorney General. Incumbent will also be tasked with speaking on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General at community events related to Juvenile Justice.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:
The successful candidate must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Skill in interpreting and applying legal knowledge in various situations.
• Highly developed skill in the analysis and resolution of difficult legal issues in an orderly, systematic, and effective manner.
• Skill in interpreting and applying applicable laws, regulations, and practices, including agency policies and relevant judicial decisions.
• Skill in applying sound judgment in review and analysis of matters assigned and deriving logical conclusion.
• Skill in communicating precisely and effectively with all parties in family court, both orally and in writing.
• Skill to assume administrative and managerial functions, if tasked with.
• Knowledge of legal reference materials and research techniques, including the use of Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other automated legal and legislative retrieval systems.
• Knowledge of advanced criminal law and procedures to a degree which allows the candidate to prosecute cases up to and including first degree murder.
• Knowledge of restorative justice and restorative justice practices is highly desirable.

Qualifications and Education

The Incumbent must have a law degree and be a member of the District of Columbia Bar or eligible for waiver into the bar.

The incumbent must have at least four (4) years of relevant related specialized experience, one (1) year of which must have been equivalent to LA-13.

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.

PAY PLAN, SERIES,


AND GRADE:
LS-905-14


Salary:
$91,673 - $103,905


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 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:

The 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 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