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Attorney-Adviser

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Washington, DCFull-time$122–197K/yrPosted today

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At a glance

Compensation
$122–197K/yr
Location
Washington, DC
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

State Or DC Bar MembershipDoctorate

Job overview

The Office of Legal Policy seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Counsel or Senior Counsel on legal issues related to Department policy work. The role may involve collaboration with Department components and Executive Branch agencies on policy, legislation, and regulation; internal inquiries and reports; legal research; and updating Department policies and procedures. Work may also touch on regulations and judicial nominations, including topics outside the attorney’s specific expertise.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Legal ResearchLegal WritingPolicy CommunicationCriminal LawUnmanned Aircraft SystemsSuperintelligence

Qualifications

J.D. DegreeTwo Years Post-JD ExperienceState or DC Bar MembershipFederal Government Agency Experience

Full job description

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Legal Policy (OLP). The incumbent performs various legal work in the interpretation and proper application of provisions of law, in the formulation of Departmental policy and legislative proposals, and in the general oversight of key areas of responsibility.

Duties

About the Office: The mission of the Office of Legal Policy (OLP) is, among other things, to develop and implement the Department's significant policy initiatives, handle policy projects that implicate the interests of multiple Department components, and serve as the primary policy advisor to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General. OLP reviews and coordinates regulations promulgated by the Department and all its components and evaluates draft regulations of other agencies that are circulated for review. OLP also vets candidates for federal judgeships and coordinates with the White House and U.S. Senate on the nomination and confirmation process. Job Description: OLP is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Counsel or Senior Counsel to assist with a wide range of legal issues relevant to the Department's policy work. This position may require significant collaboration with Department components and other Executive Branch agencies on policy, legislation, and regulatory issues. Projects may involve conducting internal inquiries, reviewing documents, and writing reports on findings. The jobholder may conduct disparate legal research in order to provide solutions or responses to various legal issues. The jobholder may also evaluate ways to update the Department's policies, procedures, etc. to better reflect Department priorities. This position may involve assisting in work relating to regulations and judicial nominations, so a willingness to work on topics outside a specific area of expertise is expected. Qualifications

Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, have at least two years of post-JD experience practicing law, have strong research and writing skills, and be an active member of the bar of any state or the District of Columbia. Prior work in or with federal government agencies is helpful. Effective writing skills and the ability to communicate complicated policy matters in a clear, succinct way is necessary. Experience with criminal law and/or emerging technologies like Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Super Intelligence is strongly preferred.

Education

See Qualification section above for education requirement. Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. How You Will Be Evaluated

Application Process: Applicants must submit a resume or OF-612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment) to: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy (Attn: OLP POLICY UNIT) at [email protected]. No telephone calls please. Reference this announcement, OLP ATTY 26-004, in your email. Applications may be considered on a rolling basis. Application Deadline: Initial deadline of November 20, 2026, but applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position(s) is filled. Other Information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Travel: None. Relocation Expenses: No. Number of Positions: 1 Salary: Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level ranging from GS-13 ($121,785 - $158,322) to GS-15 ($169,279 - $197,200) per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM's Web page at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2026/general-schedule/ EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,163 open Attorney jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 28, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$122–197K/yr
  • Washington, D.C. median$122–197K/yr88 salary ranges
  • US median$111–185K/yr1,411 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $159K, is close to the Washington, D.C. median midpoint ($159K) — in the middle half of Attorney salary ranges in Washington, D.C..

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 102 open Attorney jobs in Washington, D.C. and 2,163 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Washington, D.C.
Experience
This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience; Attorney postings that state a minimum ask for 4 years at the median (1,445 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a doctorate or professional degree; 1,233 of the 2,163 open Attorney jobs (57%) ask for a doctorate or professional degree.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 28, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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