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Trial Attorney

Employee Benefits Security Administration [EBSA]

(Washington DC / Hybrid)

Open date: September 10, 2026

Closing date: September 24, 2026

Pay scale & grade: GS 13 - 14

Salary: $121,785 - $187,093 per year

1 vacancy in Washington, D.C.

Telework eligible? Yes, as determined by agency policy

Summary

This is a trial attorney position in the Plan Benefits Security Division ("PBSD"), Office of Solicitor ("SOL"), U.S. Department of Labor. PBSD provides legal advice and litigation services to the Employee Benefits Security Administration relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). PBSD conducts complex litigation under ERISA to protect the interests of workers and retirees in their pension, health, and other ERISA-covered employee benefit plans.

Duties

The incumbent represents the Secretary of Labor as plaintiff in civil litigation enforcing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and portions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 ("ACA") in United States district courts throughout the country. The incumbent will work under the supervision of senior attorneys and often as part of a litigation team. The litigation protects the pension and health benefits of employees participating in ERISA-covered benefit plans by obtaining injunctive and substantial monetary relief against plan trustees and other fiduciaries who have breached their fiduciary duties under ERISA. The pension benefit cases often involve investments of plan assets, and an understanding of the financial transactions at issue is important to evaluating the merits of the case and effectively using our expert witnesses and challenging the opponents' experts. The health benefit cases involve novel and challenging issues under ERISA and the ACA and may require expert witnesses. The incumbent will also litigate cases seeking civil monetary penalties under ERISA section 502(c)(2) before administrative law tribunals. The incumbent's responsibilities include legal assistance during investigations conducted by our client agency within DOL, the Employee Benefits Security Administration ("EBSA"), reviewing investigations conducted by EBSA, and preparing a written factual and legal analysis and recommendation as to whether the Secretary should bring an enforcement suit based on the investigation. The attorney is responsible for preparing court pleadings and motions, arguing and presenting evidence and witnesses in court hearings, and conducting all forms of pretrial discovery, settlement negotiations, and trials, often as part of a team of attorneys with various levels of experience. These responsibilities require the ability to aggressively pursue the litigation to conclusion through settlement, summary judgment, or trial and the ability to work cooperatively with other trial attorneys, supervisors, paralegals, and support staff. The incumbent may also have the opportunity to brief and argue appeals in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, including cases in which the Secretary is participating as amicus curiae.The incumbent may also provide legal opinion and advice in connection with drafting or reviewing regulations under the ERISA, proposed legislation, ERISA prohibited transaction exemptions, ERISA advisory opinions, and other legal guidance.

Qualifications

For GS-13 grade level, applicants must have two (2) years of post-law experience progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level.

For GS-14 grade level, applicants must have three (3) years of post-law experience progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. At least one year of qualifying experience, at this level, must be Specialized Experience as defined below.

Specialized Experience that is qualifying for this position is defined as experience in conducting investigation or litigation of civil cases or a clerkship in federal or state trial or appellate courts or administrative agencies.

NOTE: A LL.M. may be substituted for a maximum of one year of experience.

How to Apply

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