Patent Attorney
What you'd do
The Intellectual Property Section represents the United States in civil litigation and other matters where a patent, copyright, trademark, or trade secret is at issue. Many of the Section's cases involve complex technologies. Well-qualified candidates may be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $25,000, depending on qualifications, education, and other factors. All recipients of a signing bonus are required to fulfill a service obligation.
Major duties
The Intellectual Property Section primarily defends the United States against allegations of patent and copyright infringement in the United States Court of Federal Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The Section also represents the United States in a variety of proceedings before the district courts, other courts of appeals, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The majority of the Section's cases are patent infringement cases, although the Section frequently handles copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and misappropriation of trade secrets cases. Intellectual Property Section trial attorneys are personally responsible for the conduct of all phases of litigation, including case development, written discovery, expert discovery, depositions, motions practice, trial, and appeals. Section trial attorneys regularly coordinate with client agencies, technical and damages experts, opposing counsel, counsel for third-party litigants, and others. In patent cases, Section trial attorneys are responsible for developing an understanding of the technology at issue and working with highly skilled experts in the development of legal positions. Section trial attorneys work on both individual and team cases in support of the Department's mission of defending the public fisc and intellectual property interests of the United States.
What you need to qualify
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree in science, mathematics, engineering, or other training sufficient to qualify for admission to the patent bar. To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have up to one (1) year of legal experience. To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have minimum (1) or more years post-J.D. legal experience To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must possess at least one and one-half (1.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience. To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must possess at least two and one-half (2.5) years of post-J.D. legal experience. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must possess at least four (4) years of post-J.D. legal experience. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Trial Period Statement As a condition of employment for accepting this position in accordance with section 11.5 of Executive Order 14284, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Before you apply
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