TRIAL ATTORNEY

at  Ofc of the Attorney General

The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking an experienced trial attorney for the position of Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) of the Public Advocacy Division (PAD). The Public Advocacy Division manages the affirmative civil enforcement litigation of OAG to protect the public interest. PAD brings enforcement actions in consumer protection, civil rights, housing, workers’ rights, elder justice, nonprofit, and antitrust.
The largest section in PAD and among the largest sections office-wide, OCP works to protect District consumers by bringing cases against businesses that take advantage of District residents, educating consumers in the District through outreach events and consumer alerts, and receiving and investigating complaints from consumers in the District regarding potential violations of District consumer protection laws. OCP both investigates and brings enforcement actions of high priority to residents and participates in national and multistate actions, with subject matters covering deceptive lending practices, big tech, privacy, scams, addictive and unsafe products, deceptive fees, hyperlocal matters, and more. OCP also regularly proposes legislative solutions to better protect District residents and engages frequent public speaking and consumer education efforts. The Director and Deputy Director oversee the management and operation of OCP, which includes the supervision of 14 Assistant Attorneys General, three paralegals, three investigators, and a staff assistant.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

The candidate must have at least ten (10) years of relevant specialized experience, 1 year of which must have been equivalent to LA-14, or its non-District equivalent gained from either the public or private sector. The candidate should have civil litigation experience sufficient to perform the tasks described above, as well as excellent analytical, writing, and litigation skills.

OCP is seeking an experienced litigator who can help lead complex civil investigations and litigation and supervise case teams including more junior attorneys. While experience handling complex litigation matters is required, prior consumer protection experience—though preferred—is not necessary for this role.

This attorney will be responsible for:

• Identifying consumer issues and targets for investigation, including by evaluating consumer complaints, referrals from organizations, agencies, or attorneys, and media coverage;
• Leading investigations, including by conducting legal and factual research, preparing investigative plans, drafting subpoenas, and conducting pre-suit interviews and depositions;
• 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;
• Managing productions and reviews of large volumes of documents, including by using electronic document review platforms, and planning and overseeing large-scale document review projects;
• Identification, procurement and preparation of expert services;
• Preparing for and leading matters through trial, including by preparing witnesses and exhibits, collecting and organizing evidence, and conducting witness examinations;
• Conducting settlement negotiations and mediations, and providing recommendations regarding the same to supervisors;
• Regularly updating supervisors, PAD management, and the Immediate Office regarding cases and investigations;
• Preforming all functions related to case and calendar management, such as pretrial, motion and trial scheduling, preparation of case transfer or close-out reports, case file entry updating, documentation of action taken or orders issued, timely preparation and service of filings, timely issuance of subpoenas, and any other administrative functions associated with litigation;
• Drafting and/or providing input and recommendations on proposed legislation relating to consumer protection matters, and potentially providing related testimony to the Council of the District of Columbia;
• Coordinating with other District agencies on consumer protection matters;
• Assisting in consumer education and other related press matters;
• Helping to mentor and train more junior attorneys; and
• Performing other related duties, as assigned.