The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for conducting and supervising the federal government's litigation in the Supreme Court of the United States. The Office determines the cases in which Supreme Court review will be sought by the government and the positions the government will take before the Court. The Office also reviews all cases decided adversely to the government in the lower courts to determine whether they should be appealed and, if so, what position should be taken.
Summary
The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for conducting and supervising the federal government's litigation in the Supreme Court of the United States. The Office determines the cases in which Supreme Court review will be sought by the government and the positions the government will take before the Court. The Office also reviews all cases decided adversely to the government in the lower courts to determine whether they should be appealed and, if so, what position should be taken.
This position is being advertised on USA JOBS for viewing only for applicants. All applicants must submit their application to the information provided in announcement for consideration.
The duties and responsibilities for a GS-Trial Attorney- 905-15 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
Work on merit briefs, petitions for writs of certiorari, jurisdictional statements, briefs in opposition, motions to affirm, papers relating to stays and other emergency relief, and other forms of motion practice before the Supreme Court.
Make recommendations as to whether the government should seek Supreme Court review in cases it has lost, whether the United States should appeal to intermediate appellate courts cases it has lost in the trial courts, and whether the United States should pursue rehearing en banc when cases are lost at the appellate level.
Prepare memoranda to the Solicitor General containing such recommendations and also memoranda discussing other legal problems as assigned.
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. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
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
J.D. degree, active bar membership.
Exceptional academic background.
Federal appellate clerkship or Supreme Court clerkship strongly encouraged.
Significant federal appellate litigation experience.
Broad experience in areas of law germane to federal governmental practice;6. Exceptional writing skills
Strong oral advocacy skills.
Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with less experienced attorneys, providing guidance and assistance.
THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AT THE TIME A HIRING DECISION IS MADE.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and treating employees with fairness, dignity and compassion. We must ensure that no applicant for employment or employee of our Department is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including pregnancy - or because of age, physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor and that all have the freedom to compete on a fair and level playing field. To learn more, please view the Department's full Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please email your PDF application package to OSGRecruit@usdoj.gov with the subject line: OSG Trial Attorney Application-04-2026
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Applicants who are former Supreme Court clerks must have completed their two-year bar on Supreme Court practice before the beginning of October Term 2026.
To apply, interested candidates must submit ONE (1) PDF document containing the following:
A cover letter that highlights the applicant's interest in the position and details how all quali?cations are met;
A current resume (not to exceed TWO (2) pages) that details months and years of education, employment, and earliest bar admission; IMPORTANT: Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer writing sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's work and includes legal analysis;
A law school transcript; and
A copy of your most recent performance appraisal (if applicable).
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION NO LATER THAN 11:59PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Office of the Solicitor General
2 Constitution Square
145 N Street NE
Room 9W.300
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
All application will be reviewed by the Office of the Solicitor General.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION NO LATER THAN 11:59PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Applicants who are former Supreme Court clerks must have completed their two-year bar on Supreme Court practice before the beginning of October Term 2026.
To apply, interested candidates must submit ONE (1) PDF document containing the following:
A cover letter that highlights the applicant's interest in the position and details how all quali?cations are met;
A current resume (not to exceed TWO (2) pages) that details months and years of education, employment, and earliest bar admission; IMPORTANT: Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer writing sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's work and includes legal analysis;
A law school transcript; and
A copy of your most recent performance appraisal (if applicable).
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION NO LATER THAN 11:59PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Office of the Solicitor General
2 Constitution Square
145 N Street NE
Room 9W.300
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
All application will be reviewed by the Office of the Solicitor General.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION NO LATER THAN 11:59PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
