Launch Your Legal Career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Are you a dedicated attorney looking to serve the public interest while tackling some of the most complex legal challenges in the nation? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Chief Counsel, is hiring a General Attorney in Seattle, Washington. This role is a unique opportunity for legal professionals to contribute to the mission of securing our borders and enforcing trade and immigration laws.

Job Responsibilities

As a General Attorney, your duties will be diverse and challenging. Key responsibilities include:

Legal Counseling: Advising CBP leadership on search and seizure, trade enforcement, and national security matters.
Litigation Support: Assisting the Department of Justice in civil and criminal actions, including FOIA requests and asset forfeiture cases.
Administrative Advocacy: Representing the agency in hearings before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and other regulatory bodies.
Training: Developing and conducting training for CBP personnel on legal issues and ethics.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Education: Graduate of an ABA-accredited School of Law.
Bar Admission: Current, active member of the bar in any U.S. state, territory, or D.C.
Residency: Must have resided in the U.S. for three of the last five years.
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is strictly required.

Salary Overview

Grade Level	Salary Range
GS-11 (Entry)	$83,935
GS-14 (Full Potential)	$183,782

Benefits

CBP offers a competitive federal benefits package, including:

Robust health, dental, and vision insurance.
Participation in the federal retirement system and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Flexible work schedules and tuition reimbursement.
Paid federal holidays and sick leave.

Application Tips

Ensure your resume clearly details your legal experience, including specific dates and hours worked. Submit all documents as PDFs via the official email provided in the job announcement to avoid processing errors.

Working with the Office of Chief Counsel is a rare chance to blend complex litigation with high-level federal policy. If you meet the qualifications, apply by the August 2026 deadline to join a team dedicated to safeguarding the United States.

Why This General Attorney Job Matters

Launch a high-impact legal career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection—defending the nation’s borders from the front lines of the Office of Chief Counsel.

General Attorney Job Overview

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Chief Counsel is seeking a dedicated General Attorney for its Seattle, Washington office. This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to work on complex legal issues ranging from trade enforcement and immigration to government ethics and litigation support. As a pivotal member of the legal team, you will provide critical counsel to ensure the agency operates with integrity, vigilance, and service to country.

Requirements for General Attorney

U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
Graduation from an ABA-accredited School of Law.
Active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, D.C., or Puerto Rico.
Must meet residency requirements (physically resided in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years).
Registration with Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959.
Ability to pass a thorough background investigation.
Adherence to strict federal ethics and conflict of interest statutes.

Preferred Qualifications for General Attorney

Recent law school graduates ranked in the top 1/3 of their class.
Participation on an official Law Review.
Achievement in moot court competitions or membership on a moot court team.
Experience in labor and employment law or administrative litigation.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
✓Federal retirement pension plan.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (401k-style) with matching contributions.
✓Flexible spending accounts and employee assistance programs.
✓Paid federal holidays and generous personal leave.
✓Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
✓Disability leave for veterans with 30%+ service-connected ratings.

💡 How to Apply General Attorney Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for General Attorney Job

Prepare a resume (max 2 pages) containing full legal name, announcement number, and detailed work history.
Draft a concise cover letter (max 2 pages).
Secure an official or unofficial law school transcript.
Create a professional writing sample (max 5 pages).
Email all documents as attachments to [email protected] with the reference 'CC/26-52' in the subject line.
Ensure submission by August 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

💡 General Tips

Convert all documents to PDF format to preserve formatting.
Double-check that your resume includes all required series, grade, and salary details if applicable.
Ensure your writing sample is polished and reflects your strongest analytical skills.
Do not submit applications via mail, fax, or hand-delivery; only email is accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the promotion potential for this position?

The position starts at the GS-11 level but has a full performance potential of GS-14.

Can I apply if I am not currently a federal employee?

Yes, this announcement is open to the public.

Does the role involve travel?

Yes, travel is required for mandatory training and to provide legal support to field operating locations.

What is the deadline to apply?

Applications must be submitted by August 20, 2026.

Is relocation assistance offered?

Relocation expenses may be offered as a lump-sum payment under the Voluntary Relocation Plan test program for eligible candidates.

Job from Customs And Border Protection

CBP is the nation's primary border enforcement agency. It is responsible for securing the borders while facilitating legitimate trade and travel. The Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) is the legal engine behind these operations, providing expert counsel on immigration, ethics, trade, and national security. Working here means becoming part of a prestigious team that ensures every action taken by the agency meets the highest standards of integrity and lawfulness.