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Job Summary

The Commercial Division of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia provides legal advice and transactional and litigation support to the District Government in the core areas of community and economic development, real estate, procurement, tax, finance, bankruptcy, land use, and public works. The successful candidate will be one of nine attorneys handling the District’s affirmative and defensive litigation concerning tax matters (real property, personal property, business franchise, income, recordation, transfer, estate, and inheritance).

Duties And Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief, Tax and Finance Section, and in collaboration with OTR’s Real Property Tax Administration, reviews information presented by OTR, and relevant case law, and develops guidelines and standards for determining which tax assessment appeal cases should be set for the trial track. Reviews for this purpose include interviewing agency officials, other potential witnesses, available documents, and other sources of information.

• Prepares responses, motions, legal briefs, and memoranda as appropriate for tax assessment appeal cases assigned.
• Prepares and conducts bench trials including preparation of witnesses, and exhibits; collects and organizes evidence; prepares for and conducts all discovery and other pretrial matters; identifies and procures expert services; examines witnesses and presents oral arguments.
• Subsequent to trial, and in coordination with supervisor, performs extensive legal research and prepares detailed findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with judicial and office policies, procedures, and precedents, for submission to the court.
• Negotiates resolution of cases and determines when continued proceedings are no longer in the best interest of the District of Columbia; attends and participates in mediation sessions; and prepares documentation and necessary court papers to implement negotiations.
• Performs all functions related to cases and trial calendar management, including pretrial activities, motions practice, trial scheduling, preparation of case transfer or closing-out reports, case file entry updating, documentation of action taken, or orders issued, timely preparation and service of filings, timely issuance of subpoenas, and all other activities associated with litigation.
• Compiles monthly and quarterly statistical and status reports on cases assigned.
• Performs other related tasks as may become necessary in the course of the work

Qualifications And Education

Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Associated (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment. The candidate must have at least one to five years of litigation experience, preferably in the area of state and local tax law, in particular in the District of Columbia; familiarity with the analysis of financial statements (including income and expense reports); familiarity with mass appraisal and property valuation concepts; developable familiarity with big data and litigation analytics (including experience with Microsoft Access and Excel); excellent oral and writing skills; and demonstrated ability to be a team player and to work with and supervise support staff in a litigation environment.

License and Certification

The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia during his/her employment in the Legal Service. If not currently a member of the District of the Columbia Bar, prior to their appointment, the successful candidate must send proof that his/her completed District of Columbia bar application has been submitted to the District of Columbia Bar.

Working Conditions/ Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) is required.

Other Significant Factors;

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-12

Salary: $91,650 - $100,847.

Number Of Vacancies

One (1)

Tour Of Duty

Monday-Friday 8:15 am- 4:45 pm

In-person reporting with limited telework and flexible work schedules available upon eligibility.

Promotion Potential

No known promotion potential.

Collective Bargining Unit

This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 2401.

Position Designation

This position has been designated as sensitive therefore the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to the following checks and tests: (a) Criminal background check; (b) Traffic record check (as applicable); (c) Consumer credit check (as applicable); (d) Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and (e) Post-accident or incident involving Government property drug and alcohol test.

Residency Requirement

Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, genetic information, or political affiliation.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION : In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et . seq ., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL