Trial Attorney

General Job Information

JOB SUMMARY

Located in the nation’s capital, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. OAG enforces the District’s laws, works to protect and defend District residents, and provides the highest level of independent legal advice and guidance to District of Columbia government agencies. This position is in the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) within the Public Advocacy Division (PAD). PAD manages the affirmative civil enforcement litigation of OAG to protect the public interest. PAD brings enforcement actions in consumer protection, civil rights, housing, environmental, workers’ rights, false claims, elder justice, nonprofit, and antitrust.

OCP is seeking an attorney who can help lead OCP’s investigative and enforcement efforts with a focus on data breaches and privacy, while also assisting with the other consumer protection work handled by the office. OCP’s priorities are to address unlawful practices that are worsening the affordability crisis many District residents face, particularly in the areas of housing, consumer finance, and the cost of daily necessities. OCP works to protect District consumers by investigating complaints from District consumers and bringing cases against businesses that take advantage of District residents in violation of District consumer protection laws. OCP investigates and brings enforcement actions that are of high priority to District residents and also brings national and multistate actions. Subject matters cover deceptive fees and lending practices, big tech, privacy and data breaches, addictive and unsafe products aimed at District youth including tobacco products and social media apps, local scams, and more. OCP also regularly proposes legislative solutions to better protect District residents and engages in frequent public speaking and consumer education efforts. A focus on data privacy and protection is consistent among all of OCP’s various efforts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OCP is seeking an attorney who can help lead OCP’s data breach and privacy efforts. This attorney will be responsible for:

• Managing OCP’s data breach notification intake and inquiry processes, including by maintaining and organizing tracking documents and databases, corresponding with entities that provide notifications to gather more information, and identifying targets for follow-up investigation;
• Assisting, and at times leading, investigations, litigation, legislative efforts, and community outreach relating to privacy and data breaches;
• Assisting, and at times leading, multistate investigations into national data breaches along with other state attorneys general;
• Identifying other consumer issues and targets for investigation, including by evaluating consumer complaints, referrals from organizations, agencies, or attorneys, and media coverage;
• Assisting, and at times leading, other consumer protection investigations, including by conducting legal and factual research, preparing investigative plans, drafting subpoenas, overseeing and reviewing large volumes of documents on electronic discovery platforms, conducting pre-suit interviews and depositions; and conducting settlement negotiations;
• Drafting complaints, motions, legal briefs, memoranda, and written discovery requests and responses;
• Taking and defending fact and expert depositions, arguing motions, and handling evidentiary hearings;
• Meeting with opposing counsel to negotiate and resolve discovery disputes, both in pre-suit investigations and active litigation;

• Identification, procurement and preparation of expert services;
• Regularly updating supervisors, PAD management, and the Immediate Office regarding cases and investigations;
• Drafting and/or providing input and recommendations on proposed legislation relating to privacy and consumer protection matters, and potentially providing related testimony to the Council of the District of Columbia;

• Coordinating with other District agencies on consumer protection and data privacy matters;

• Assisting in consumer education and other related press matters; and

• Performing other related duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate must have at least 1 year of relevant specialized experience. The candidate should have civil litigation experience sufficient to perform the tasks described above, as well as excellent analytical, writing, and litigation skills. Prior privacy or data breach experience is preferred, but not required, for the role.

The ideal candidate will have both litigation and privacy/data breach experience, including:

• Familiarity with state data breach notification laws;

• Familiarity with industry standard data security practices;

• Familiarity with various state privacy laws in effect across the country;

• CIPP/US or similar IAPP certification;

• Getting up to speed quickly after joining teams pursuing active investigations or litigation;

• Thinking creatively to identify consumer issues that are impacting the most vulnerable District residents and developing strategies and legal theories to address these issues through consumer protection tools;

• Advancing pre-suit investigations in a timely and efficient manner when there are no court deadlines and all deadlines are self-imposed; and

• Creating discovery plans to collect, review, and synthesize large volumes of documents in order to develop and support case theories.

HOW TO APPLY

Online Application must be completed in its entirety, along with the following submissions:

• Cover Letter

• Résumé

• Legal Writing Sample

• A list of three current references, including at least one supervisor.

Please upload all of the required documents as one combined PDF in the “resume” field of the application. If you experience issues uploading your attachments, please send them to OAGrecruitment@dc.gov. Please add Job ID to the subject line. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position.LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

The incumbent must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally 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

Type Of Appointment: Legal Service (LS) – 13-month Term Appointment

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-905-12

Salary: The maximum salary for this position is negotiable up to $103,514 depending on qualifications and availability of funds.

Number of Vacancies: One (1)

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday; 8:45 am- 5:15 pm

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

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 1403.

RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: 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: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.

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, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, credit information, or homeless status of any individual. 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.