General Attorney (TR) (Bureau of Consumer Protection)

Summary

The Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates and litigates civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws. For more information visit, https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc.

Duties

• The positions are located in the Division of Advertising Practices, Division of Enforcement, Division of Financial Practices, Division of Marketing Practices, Northeast Regional office (New York), Southwest Regional office (Dallas), Western Region Los Angeles Regional office, and Western Region San Francisco Regional office. As a General Attorney (Trade Regulation), you will: - Make initial determinations as to whether matters should be investigated. -Determine legal theories and plans for investigations and litigation and carry them out. - Recommend whether cases should be closed, resolved informally or through administrative or federal court settlements, or litigated administratively or in federal court. - Investigate matters and engage in all aspects of civil litigation, including preparing cases for trial by securing and preparing evidence; conferring with witnesses; deposing witnesses; drafting motions and legal briefs; drafting and responding to discovery requests; participating in pretrial conferences; examining and cross-examining witnesses; trying cases; and negotiating settlements. - Prepare and prosecute difficult, complex, and important cases. - Confer with government agencies, public authorities and attorneys, business people and other members of the public, providing them with information on matters of law, Commission procedure and policy.

Qualifications

The Division of Advertising Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive advertising for a broad range of products and services, including: addiction-related services, foods, dietary supplements, and drugs including those marketed to treat, cure, or prevent serious diseases; emerging technology offerings, broadband providers, social media platforms, online ticket sellers, online travel sites; and products and services marketed to kids and teens. In addition, the Division enforces many of the Commission's rules. The Division of Enforcement monitors compliance with administrative and federal court orders entered in FTC consumer protection cases. These orders address a wide range of consumer protection issues. The Division conducts investigations of possible order violations; files civil contempt actions in federal court to enforce injunctions; and initiates court actions to obtain civil penalties for order violations. In addition, the Division leads the FTC's enforcement efforts for many of the Commission's rules and guides. The Division also coordinates FTC actions with criminal law enforcement agencies through its Criminal Liaison Unit. Finally, the Division oversees the Bureau of Consumer Protection's bankruptcy and collections programs. The Division of Financial Practices investigates and litigates cases involving unfair and deceptive acts or practices across a variety of critical financial areas, including mobile and financial technology, short-term lending, small business financing, auto sales and financing, debt collection, and debt relief. The Division also enforces statutes and rules to protect consumers in the financial marketplace and engages in outreach and education about developing financial products and services to help prevent consumer harm in these areas. The Division of Marketing Practices investigates and litigates cases involving consumer fraud in the marketplace. The Division enforces the FTC Act and other federal consumer protection laws by filing FTC actions in federal district court seeking preliminary injunctive relief and permanent orders to stop scams; preventing fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future; freezing their assets; and getting compensation for scam victims. The Division also issues, revises, and enforces many of the Commission's rules and is on the cutting edge of investigating and addressing the use of emerging technologies to defraud consumers. The Northeast Regional office ("NER") located in New York City, the Southwest Regional office ("SWR"), located in Dallas, the Western Region Los Angeles Regional office ("WRLA") located in Los Angeles, and the Western Region San Francisco Regional office ("WRSF") located in San Francisco, play an integral role in fulfilling the FTC's consumer protection mission by bringing law enforcement actions to stop unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices across a broad range of products and services in both the traditional and digital economy. Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency. Additional Requirements GS-12 Positions: For appointments to attorney positions: active member of the bar in good standing and 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for the GS-12 level: In addition to a law degree and active bar membership, you must have 12 months of legal experience after graduation from law school. At least 12 months of your legal experience after graduation from law school must be comparable to the GS-11 level. Qualifying experience at the GS-11 level includes examples such as wor…

Education

THIS POSITION HAS AN EDUCATION REQUIRMENT: You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html