General Attorney; District Court Litigation Division

Overview

OPLA is the largest legal program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), employing nearly attorneys nationwide. OPLA provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices and serves as the exclusive representative of DHS in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Selected attorneys will fill the Associate Legal Advisor (ALA) positions and primarily represent agency interests in civil litigation and in the adjudication of administrative tort claims.

ALAs work closely with the DHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC), other DHS component legal offices, and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) entities, such as the Civil Division, including the Office of Immigration Litigation and the Torts Branch, as well as U.S. Attorney's Offices throughout the nation.

ALAs in DCLD manage civil litigation against ICE and cases that affect ICE equities or personnel.

Responsibilities include:

• Assisting ICE personnel, OGC, and DOJ in all aspects of federal civil litigation, including development of legal strategy and arguments, motion practice, discovery, settlement negotiations, trials, and appeals in cases ranging from common-law torts to suits under and including Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), and suits seeking injunctive or declaratory relief under the Constitution, including class actions.
• Adjudicating administrative claims for personal injuries and property damage under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ .
• Conducing training regarding litigation risk and representing ICE's interests in litigation discussions with other agencies and DHS components.
• Responding timely and thoroughly to agency taskings, and drafting and providing opinions and comments on legislative proposals.

Selected attorneys will immediately take on significant responsibilities, researching and crafting persuasive, legally supportable positions to address agency needs. Timely oral and written guidance will be provided to ICE officers and agents, division management, and senior leadership within OPLA, ICE, and OGC.

OPLA will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations when appropriate. If reasonable accommodation is required for any part of the application process, please contact the OPLA representative listed on this announcement.

• You must successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen for federal employment.
• If you are a male born after 12/31/59, you must certify registration with the Selective Service.
• You must have relevant experience (see How You Will Be Evaluated and Qualifications tabs).
• You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• You may be required to serve a two-year trial period, if the requirement has not been met.
• You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on 02/17/2026. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

In light of the nature of DCLD's work, attorney assignments are fast-paced and high-profile. Selectees must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, and demonstrate initiative and reliability: prioritizing multiple assignments, sound legal and practical judgment, efficient analysis of complex and novel issues, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment both individually and as part of a team.

• Bar Membership: active in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize employment offers to current or former political appointees; disclosures may be required for certain appointment types.

Applicants must be graduates of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LLM degree. A student loan repayment incentive may be available with a service agreement if…