Clarification from the agency

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page.

About the Office

The United States Trustee Program (USTP or Program) is a litigating component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders-debtors, creditors, and the public. Operating nationally through field offices across twenty-one (21) regions, the USTP has broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authority in bankruptcy cases filed under multiple chapters (7, 11, 12, 13, and 9), including consumer, family farmer, small business, and complex corporate cases. As the only participant in the bankruptcy system positioned to address issues of multi-jurisdictional or national scope, the USTP combats systemic fraud and abuse while also addressing local matters that implicate the bankruptcy system's integrity and efficiency.

The Of?ce of the General Counsel (OGC), within the Executive Of?ce for United States Trustees, oversees the Program's legal activities. OGC develops and directs the Program's legal policies and litigation strategies before the bankruptcy courts and through the appellate process, implements the Program's legal priorities, resolves signi?cant legal issues, and advises staff on bankruptcy, constitutional, and administrative law.

We invite you to visit the USTP's Web site at https://www.justice.gov/ust.

The USTP seeks an experienced and highly skilled Chapter 11 Trial Attorney for the Office of the General Counsel in the Executive Office for U. S. Trustees to play a key role in high-impact litigation and policy development, often in complex cases. The attorney will develop litigation strategies, conduct sophisticated legal research, provide strategic legal advice, and draft pleadings, memoranda, briefs, and other advocacy materials in significant Chapter 11 cases. This position reports to the Associate General Counsel for Chapter 11 Practice and offers the opportunity to collaborate with a cohesive and collegial OGC team dedicated to promoting consistency nationwide and to ensuring rigorous adherence to the Code.

Under the direction of the Associate General Counsel, the Chapter 11 Trial Attorney duties include the following:

• Provide legal advice and litigation support to field offices on challenging or novel chapter 11 issues across cases ranging from individual and subchapter V cases to large, complex business reorganizations, often on expedited deadlines;
• Draft and review pleadings, memoranda, and briefs;
• Advise EOUST senior leadership, United States Trustees, and their staff on complex legal issues, including debtor misconduct requiring the appointment of a trustee or an examiner, executive compensation proposed in violation of 11 U.S.C. 503(c), professional retention and compensation, committee formation and related litigation, and plan and disclosure statement litigation;
• Provide legal analysis to support policy development and implementation on matters significant to the USTP;
• Develop and deliver internal training on a wide range of Chapter 11 topics;
• Support and advise appellate counsel in the prosecution and defense of Chapter 11 appeals from district courts through the U.S. Supreme Court;
• Conduct outreach to interested constituents and those involved in the bankruptcy system, such as the bankruptcy court, the bar, and other federal and state agencies; and
• Work on other national projects and priorities as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic and professional credentials; superior oral and written communication skills; outstanding legal research, analytical, and legal reasoning skills; outstanding judgment; substantial Chapter 11 experience and a general understanding of the USTP's priorities and positions; and the ability to function with minimal guidance in a demanding legal environment. Further, an applicant must have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school; be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) in good standing; and have at least four (4) years post-J.D. professional legal or other relevant experience interpreting, applying, and advocating under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and related laws, rules, and regulations that apply in bankruptcy cases.

Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the required qualifications listed above, the ideal candidate will have:

• A demonstrated record of analyzing complex legal problems, interpreting statutes, rules, and regulations, and developing litigation strategies; and displaying superior trial practice skills;
• A demonstrated record of litigating complex matters, including experience taking depositions, examining witnesses under oath, and propounding formal written discovery;
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to address a broad array of issues arising in multiple cases;
• The ability to articulate accurately and precisely critical issues in a variety of cases and projects;
• The ability to set, manage, and balance diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorities; Demonstrated initiative and creativity;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work in a professional and collegial manner with staff and managers at every level in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations;
• Strong information technology skills, including using databases and IT systems to manage and track work; Experience working with or for federal agencies; and
• A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Optional Narrative Statements:

The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment to public service to hiring managers and agency leadership. Although responses are optional and will not be scored, applicants are encouraged to address each question thoughtfully. Please limit each response to 200 words or fewer. At the beginning of your submission, please certify that the responses are your own work and that you did not use a consultant or any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or Copilot.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.

1. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.

1. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.

1. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Evaluation Process

A panel of subject matter experts will review applications to determine how well a candidate meets the minimum position quali?cations outlined above. If a candidate is deemed quali?ed, they will be contacted via email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee and those who fall into the best-quali?ed category will be considered for the position.