Lead High-Impact Federal Litigation as Attorney-Adviser (International) at DLA – Earn Up to $195K

Role: Attorney-Adviser (International) — Chief Trial Attorney (CTA)
Office: Office of General Counsel, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Legal Enterprise
Division: Acquisition Law Division
Type: Permanent, Full-time, Excepted Service
Security: Secret clearance required (Non-Critical Sensitive)
Location: DLA Headquarters, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (1 vacancy)
Telework: Telework is eligible as determined by agency policy
Travel: Occasional travel expected
Salary Range: $167,603 to $195,200 per year (GS-15)
Promotion Potential: 15
Announcement: DLAGC-26-12814127-RB | Control number: 847945000

Role Summary and Why It Matters

The Chief Trial Attorney (CTA) in DLA’s Acquisition Law Division performs mission-critical litigation and dispute-management functions that support national security and ensure adequate warfighter support. Reporting to the Chief, Acquisition Law Division and under the general oversight of the Deputy General Counsel (DGC), the CTA has organization-wide authority to manage and oversee procurement-related litigation, bid protests, and contract dispute resolution across DLA. The CTA is DLA’s primary lead counsel for cases brought before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA), Court of Federal Claims (COFC) matters (including Tucker Act matters), and protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Core Responsibilities (What the CTA Will Do)

The CTA’s duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and case-management tracking mechanisms for contract disputes and litigation throughout DLA.
• Serve as DLA’s lead representative before the ASBCA — listed as Government counsel on all ASBCA docket notices and remaining a centralized representative on appeals as co-counsel assignments change.
• Exercise lead authority and responsibility for bid protests filed with the agency and before the GAO and COFC; manage and coordinate DLA’s protest and litigation posture.
• Oversee, mentor, and support contract litigation attorneys across six DLA Major Subordinate Commands and Headquarters, ensuring strategic case management and resolution.
• Coordinate with the Department of Justice as the primary DLA coordinator for contract dispute engagement.
• Support alternative dispute resolution and settlement negotiations to avoid or resolve litigation where appropriate.
• Provide expert acquisition law advice across topics such as procurement policy reviews, data rights, interagency contracting support, Congressional request reviews, contract tax matters, and end-use certificates.
• Manage DLA-wide case tracking and data capture to monitor performance metrics and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including direct acquisition law counsel within the Acquisition Law Division.

Who May Apply (Eligibility)

This announcement is open to:

• The public (U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.)
• Current Federal employees — Competitive Service (who follow OPM hiring rules and pay scales)
• Current Federal employees — Excepted Service (agencies with their own hiring rules)
• Veterans (including spouses/widows/widowers/parents with potential derived preference)
• Individuals with disabilities (Schedule A eligibles)

Required Conditions of Employment & Hiring Details

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability/fitness determination and background investigation; unfavorable adjudication may be grounds for removal.
• Tour of Duty: Set schedule.
• Security Requirements: Non-Critical Sensitive with Secret access; periodic reinvestigation required.
• Drug testing: Position is drug-testing designated; pre-employment and possible random tests; positive or refusal results in offer withdrawal and a six-month hiring ban. CBD use may cause a positive test.
• Selective Service: Males born after 31-Dec-1959 must be registered or exempt.
• Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.
• Financial disclosure: Required.
• Bargaining unit: No.
• Relocation: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses reimbursed per JTR.
• Reemployed Annuitants: Not eligible for appointment.
• Veterans’ preference: Considered a positive factor for attorney hiring in the Excepted Service; applicants should provide supporting documentation.

Educational & Licensing Requirements (Must Provide Documentation)

• A first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.). Provide transcripts or equivalent documentation (unofficial transcripts acceptable at the time of application).
• Proof of bar membership and good standing with the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or D.C. — acceptable proof: certificate of good standing dated within 6 months of the announcement close date, or a dated screenshot of state bar status dated within 6 months (with applicant-signed attestation if screenshot lacks date). The selectee must provide a certificate of good standing showing active status before appointment.
• If using foreign education, you must provide an equivalency evaluation from an accredited evaluation service or full U.S. credit.

Experience & Minimum Qualifications (GS-15 Standard)

To qualify at the GS-15 level, the candidate must have:

• Professional legal experience in excess of three years, commensurate with GS-15 duties and responsibilities. The agency will evaluate the experience for quality and relevance to the duties described above.
• In accordance with DoDI 1442.2, promotion for this position is based on time, performance, and mastery of required skills and requires approval by the DLA General Counsel.

Principal Selection Factors (Evaluation Criteria)

Applicants must demonstrate the following competencies and experiences — these are used to evaluate suitability and will be heavily weighted:

1. Contract litigation experience. At least one year of relevant experience at the next lower federal grade (or equivalent military, state, or private sector legal experience).
2. Expert knowledge of forums and ADR. Demonstrated experience litigating before the ASBCA, COFC, and GAO, and experience with Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures in each forum.
3. Litigation strategy & drafting. Experience developing litigation strategy; preparing pleadings, trial briefs, and motions; conducting settlement negotiations; preparing witness testimony; and handling discovery.
4. Analytical skills. Excellent analytical ability: issue identification, legal research, options analysis, risk assessment, and creative problem solving.
5. Communication. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Judgment. Strong legal and business judgment in high-stakes matters.
7. Interpersonal & client relations. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with senior officials on sensitive issues.

Security & Suitability Notes

• Selected candidate must obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance; inability to obtain/maintain clearance within a reasonable period may result in withdrawal of offer.
• Incumbent is subject to periodic reinvestigation per DoD policy.

Additional Important Information & Policies

• Excepted Service: This position is filled under alternative hiring procedures and is not part of the competitive civil service.
• Drug-Free Workplace: DLA maintains a strict drug-free workplace. The agency tests for a broad panel including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, heroin, PCP, amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl (and norfentanyl), MDMA, MDA, and other opioids. Use of CBD products can cause positive marijuana test results.
• Veterans: While a formal point system is not used for attorney Excepted Service appointments, veterans’ preference is a positive factor; veterans should include DD-214 or other supporting documentation. Applicants claiming a 10-point preference must submit SF-15 and supporting documents.
• Retiree Hiring Advisory: Military retirees seeking DoD appointments within 180 days of retirement may require a waiver.
• Drug Testing Consequences: Refusal or positive results lead to offer withdrawal and a six-month hiring ban from DLA.
• Candidate Profile: DLA requests candidates who are committed to improving the Federal government efficiency, supportive of republican ideals, and dedicated to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

Application & Selection Process

• Applicants will be evaluated based on how well their application package demonstrates the required qualifications and principal selection factors. The selecting official will determine which applicant is best qualified.
• Once the announcement closes, submitted materials are reviewed, and candidates may be selected for oral interview(s) at the agency’s discretion (some, none, or all applicants).
• The final selection is made by the selecting official.

How Applicants Will Be Reviewed (Evaluation Method)

• The quality of legal experience described in the application/resume will be screened against the Major Duties and Principal Selection Factors. Emphasis is placed on the degree to which prior experience maps to the GS-15 duties.
• Experience should demonstrate litigation leadership, forum experience (ASBCA/COFC/GAO), ADR proficiency, motion and trial preparation, strategic judgment, and superior written/oral advocacy.

Application Deadlines & Key Dates (moved below per requested variation)

Opening date: October 10, 2025
Closing date / Application deadline: November 2, 2025
Applicants must ensure their application materials are complete and submitted by the close date.

Miscellaneous Administrative Details (included for completeness)

• Pay scale & grade: GS-15 (Job family: 0905 Attorney)
• Supervisory status: No.
• Drug test: Yes.
• Financial disclosure: Required.
• Bargaining unit status: No.

Application Submission & Contact Guidance

Applicants should read the full announcement and follow the application instructions in that posting. Veterans and Schedule A applicants should attach required supporting documents (e.g., DD-214, SF-15, Schedule A documentation). Transcripts and bar documentation must be included as needed. The selecting official and application portal are identified in the original announcement.

For more details, visit the DLA official website.

Final Advisory

Candidates must be prepared to provide documentation for education, bar standing, veterans’ preference (if applicable), and to undergo security and drug testing processes. Applicants should highlight in their submission concrete examples that demonstrate the Principal Selection Factors, particularly contract litigation experience before ASBCA/COFC/GAO, ADR experience, litigation strategy development, and leadership of litigation teams.

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