Description of Position
The Food and Drug Administration is actively seeking experienced attorneys and third-year law students for permanent positions (and second-year law students for summer clerkships) in its Office of Chief Counsel. No other federal agency touches the daily life of citizens as directly as the FDA. In regulating about 25 percent of the United States consumer economy, the FDA is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of more than a trillion dollars worth of products a year -- including items as diverse as artificial hearts, surgical and other lasers, gene therapy, dialysis machines, cloned animals, bioengineered foods, counterterrorism products, and drugs produced using nanotechnology and recombinant techniques. Lawyers in the FDA's Office of Chief Counsel play a crucial role in this process.
FDA attorneys support the agency's consumer protection activities
in two primary ways:
- they handle litigation
- they provide counseling advice
FDA attorneys are located in the agency's Office of
Chief Counsel, which represents the agency in court proceedings
and administrative hearings. In both civil and criminal cases,
FDA attorneys participate in case development; draft pleadings,
motions and briefs; and conduct discovery and trials.
Serving as counselors to the major programs of the agency
-- drugs, foods, biologics, devices, veterinary products, and
enforcement – FDA attorneys provide legal opinions. They
participate in:
- rulemaking proceedings
- legislative matters
- policy deliberations
- international negotiations
In addition, FDA attorneys are involved in explaining agency
programs to Congress, regulated industry, and the public.
Current issues of widespread interest confronting the Office
include biotechnology, innovative new drugs and devices, counterterrorism,
gene therapy, nanotechnology, BSE, generic drugs, cloning,
food contamination and labeling, dietary supplements, medical
product advertising, and international trade.
Grade (Salary) Levels
FDA hires experienced attorneys and 3Ls for permanent positions, and 2Ls for summer internships. A record of strong academic achievement, outstanding research, writing, and analytical skills, and interest in public service is essential.
Starting salaries for experienced attorneys range from GS-12/1 to GS-14/10 ($69,764 to 127,442 in 2008), with promotion potential up to GS-15/10 ($149,000 in 2008).
The starting salary for most law school graduates is at the GS-11/1 level ($58,206 in 2008). Those who have completed a judicial clerkship can be paid at the GS-12/1 level ($69,764 in 2008).
Summer interns who have completed their second year of law school can receive a salary at the GS-7/1 level ($756/week in 2008).
Office Size/Responsibility
The FDA Office of Chief Counsel consists of about 80 lawyers
and 20 support staff. It is located at the FDA headquarters
in Rockville, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
The Office is a component of the Office of the General Counsel
(OGC) of the Department of Health and Human Services. The
Office works closely with other components of OGC and with
other federal agencies including :
- the Department of Justice on court litigation
- the Federal Trade Commission on advertising issues
- the Department of Agriculture on food products
- the Environmental Protection Agency on environmental and
pesticide issues
- the Federal Bureau of Investigation on criminal matters
- the Department of State on international matters
- the Customs Service on imported products
- the Drug Enforcement Administration on controlled substances
- and the Postal Service on mail fraud.
New lawyers are given substantial responsibility. They have
their own agency clients, a variety of work assignments, and
considerable opportunity to challenge their abilities and develop
their practice and expertise.
A Rewarding Career
The Office is a leader in innovative programs and activities
that allow employees to maintain their high professional performance
while balancing their home and family lives.
If you have an interest in public health protection, and if
you want the satisfaction that comes from public service and
working with highly motivated colleagues who are dedicated
to integrity, excellence, respect, and enjoying their work,
you will find a rewarding career and exciting opportunities
for professional growth on the FDA legal staff.
FDA is an equal opportunity employer. More information about
the agency can be found on the FDA Web site at www.fda.gov.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample to the Executive Officer, Office of the Chief Counsel, FDA, Room 6A-03 (GCF-1), 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857 or to joseph.smith@fda.hhs.gov.
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