Attorney Advisor - GS-15 - NCLID

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently seeking applications for Attorney Advisors in its National Complex Litigation and Investigations Division.

Who May Apply:  This vacancy announcement is open to all US Citizens and may be used to fill multiple positions.

Duty Station: Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO

Series and Grade: GS-0905-15

Full Performance Level: None

Salary Range: $146,481 - $190,424

Open Period: September 3, 2025 – until filled (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting September 10, 2025).

Salary wage as shown is for the Rest of the U.S. (RUS) pay scale and does not include locality pay.  Locality pay will be added according to the selectee's location area.

For specific wage information, refer to  General Schedule

Job Summary:

The Office of the General Counsel is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department’s programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization’s various agencies and divisions.

OGC is comprised of three principal subcomponents: the Immediate Office, Headquarters Divisions, and Regional Hubs. The National Complex Litigation and Investigations Division (NCLID) is one of the Headquarters Divisions.

NCLID serves as the in-house counsel for the Department at large focusing on complex cases from across the HHS litigation portfolio. NCLID cases include nationwide class action litigation against HHS programs operated by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); challenges to the implementation of new programs administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); disputes involving the distribution of funds administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); administrative litigation challenging rules enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that address discrimination in health programs; and cases involving First Amendment issues that affect the entire Department. In addition, NCLID works on investigations related to activities or events that present legal risk for the Department.

NCLID litigators work collaboratively with the OGC Divisions that advise the programs that are the subject of litigation. They also work closely with attorneys from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The workload for NCLID litigators may include direct representation of the Secretary of Health and Human Services in administrative forums or in federal court as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSA) (including in cases delegated by the U.S. Department of Justice).

For additional information about OGC’s mission, please visit our website at: http://www.hhs.gov/ogc/index.html

Duties:

NCLID attorneys manage complex litigation spanning a broad range of topics across HHS, provide advice on pre-litigation matters, and conduct internal investigations at the request of leadership on matters that could lead to litigation or oversight. Specific duties include the following:

  • Brief the Immediate Office and relevant Associate General Counsels on significant litigation developments.
  • Develop litigation strategy together with DOJ and HHS stakeholders.
  • Draft or review and comment on draft pleadings, motions, and memoranda of law.
  • Work with DOJ to prepare HHS witness declarations and to prepare HHS witnesses to provide deposition, hearing, and trial testimony.
  • Prepare responses to discovery requests and manage document collections, review, and productions.
  • Perform the litigation functions described above in direct representations of the Secretary in administrative forums or federal district court.
  • Conduct internal investigations upon request of leadership and advise the Immediate Office, relevant Associate General Counsels, and HHS program clients regarding same.
  • Work with DOJ and HHS program clients to present documents and information to court ordered monitors for program compliance.
    • NCLID attorneys will travel to Washington, DC, and other locations for meetings, depositions, hearings, or other proceedings.

We are seeking to fill the position at the GS-15 level ($146,481 - $190,424) depending on experience and qualifications.  Applicants should possess:

  • Exceptional research, writing, and interpersonal skills; strong communication skills; and superior academic credentials.

The position will be located in Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO. and reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available.

Qualifications Required:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed on this announcement. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

At the GS-15: Applicants at the GS-15 level must have at least four years of professional legal experience post bar admission with one year of experience equivalent to the GS-14 level. Applicants at the GS-15 level must also have a demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum levels of supervision.

 The following are required qualifications:

Conditions of Employment:

  • You must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited ABA law school.
  • Have at least 4 year (s) of experience after law school as a practicing attorney on complex litigation experience, preferably at a large firm or in government.
  • Proof that bar status is active, in good standing and eligible to practice in the highest court of a State, U. S. commonwealth, U. S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Candidates must also have exemplary legal writing, analytical, and communication skills.
  • Must maintain active bar membership in good standing and the eligibility to practice law in the highest court of a state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia throughout employment in the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Upon final job offer from HHS OHR, the successful candidate must submit official law school transcripts.
  • Security and Background Requirements:  If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees.  Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.  Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action.  In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.  Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.  False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
  • E-Verify:  If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.  Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
  • Direct Deposit:  All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required. 
  • Two-year trial period may be required. 
  • Travel Required: 20% or less
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • This position is not in a bargaining unit.
  • Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The Federal government, as the largest employer in the Nation, can and should show the way towards achieving drug-free workplaces through programs designed to offer drug users a helping hand, and at the same time demonstrating to drug users and potential drug users that drugs will not be tolerated in the Federal workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public. Applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result. In order to demonstrate commitment to the HHS goal of a drug-free workplace and to set an example for other Federal employees, employees not in a testing designated position may volunteer for unannounced random testing by notifying their Drug-free Federal Workplace Program Point of Contact upon hiring.

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

Instructions to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit the following documents to NCLIDRecruitment@hhs.gov, with a copy to Lisette.Taylor@hhs.gov, using the subject line “Complex Litigation Attorney.”

  • Short cover letter addressed to Office of General Counsel Hiring Official, including a statement of interest.
  • Resume (must include education, including name of undergraduate and law school, degree received, and date graduated; date admitted to bar and jurisdiction; a general description of all past employment relevant to the practice of law, including dates of employment.
  • One legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages).
  • Law school transcript if graduated from law school.
  • Proof of active bar status in good standing and eligible to practice in a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  • Names and contact information for at least three professional references.

We will conduct interviews by telephone, WebEx, or other video conferencing platform.

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