Utah Bar Marketplace

Key Requirements:

Major Duties:
Serves as an attorney-adviser to one or more Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in a Social Security Administration (SSA) Hearing Office (HO). Renders professional legal advice and assistance to the ALJs in prehearing development and preparation of cases for hearing, posthearing development and other posthearing actions. Analyzes, researches and develops cases, formulates comprehensive decisions and, otherwise, acts on requests for hearings held under titles II, XI, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended. Legal issues related to the cases assigned pertain to the interpretation and research of the highly complex provisions of titles II, XI, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended; implementing regulations; related Federal and State laws; the Administrative Procedures Act and precedent Social Security Rulings, court decisions, etc. Participates fully and assists the ALJ in the formulation of the case decision.

QUALIFICATIONS:
You will be rated on the extent and quality of your education and/or experience according to information provided in your application forms.

All Attorney positions in the Federal Government require Bar membership. Proof of membership in the Bar must indicate a current active membership. (No exceptions permitted to this requirement.)

To be rated eligible, you must meet one of the requirements described below:

For the GS-09 Grade Level
Active Membership in the Bar and the writing sample as indicated below.

For the GS-11 Grade Level
Active Membership in the Bar, the writing sample as indicated below, plus one of the following:

1. Fifty-two weeks of professional legal experience as a practicing attorney in which assignments involved complex and difficult legal questions requiring extensive research, analysis, and evaluation of information in controversial areas. Such experience must include: a) preparation of legal documents for filing by drafting complaints, orders to show cause, indictments, preliminary motions and supporting affidavits and briefs; b) drafting of pleading and motions for cases in litigation, conducting investigations to obtain facts, study of legal precedents and preparation of recommendations; and c) assisting attorneys in charge of court cases by cross-examining witnesses and drafting findings of facts, conclusions of law and orders based on the record (you must provide the dates of employment and the hours worked per week);

OR

2. A second professional law degree (LL.M.) which requires one full year of graduate study:

OR

3. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) with a record that shows superior law student work or activities as demonstrated by one of the following (documentation is required at the time of application):

A. Academic standing in the upper third of the law school graduating class;
B. Work or achievement of significant contribution on the law school’s official law review (explain duties and hours devoted per week);
C. Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Colf;
D. Winning of a Moot Court competition or membership on the Moot Court team, which represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
E. Full time or continuous participation in a legal aid program equivalent to 6 months of full time work (dates of employment and hours worked per week are required);
F. Significant law office clerk experience while attending law school equivalent to 6 months of full time work (dates of employment and hours worked per week are required);
G. Other equivalent evidence of superior achievement while in law school.

For the GS-12 Grade Level:
The GS-11 requirement plus one additional year (i.e., 52 weeks, full time) of professional legal experience as a practicing attorney (including the examples of experience described in the GS-11 grade level requirement).

NOTE: Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12 month period you will be credited with 26 weeks of experience).

You should provide a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with your application if you wish to qualify based on education alone. NOTE: Education completed in a foreign institution must be certified as equivalent to coursework completed at a college or university.

WRITING SAMPLE REQUIREMENT:
Submit a writing sample (i.e., a brief or other document containing a comparable level of legal analysis.) Writing samples will be judged on the basis of an applicant’s ability to analyze a legal problem and clearly and concisely articulate legal rationale.

HOW TO APPLY:
You must submit all of the documents listed below in order to be considered for this position. These documents include:

1. Resume - Your resume should include: month and year for dates of experience, hours worked per week, and a complete description of experience for each position which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are listed above in the qualifications section.

2. Proof of current Bar Membership.

3. Writing sample.

4. Copy of transcripts and proof of superior law student work/activity as described in the qualifications section (if using education for qualification purposes).

Submit all required documents to:

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Wallace F. Bennett FOB
125 South State Street, Room 3102
Salt Lake City, UT 84138

Attn: Barbara Tubbs