Become a Key Advocate: General Attorney Roles in the ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor

In the realm of federal legal practice, few roles offer the immediate responsibility, dynamic case variety, and strategic impact of a General Attorney position within the District Court Litigation Division (DCLD). The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) is currently seeking accomplished, driven attorneys to serve on the front lines of federal civil litigation. Operating in a highly active and complex environment, these legal professionals serve as agency counsel, protecting the interests of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in federal courts across the United States. If you are an experienced litigator or a highly motivated legal scholar looking to pivot into public service, these positions across California, Florida, and Texas present an unparalleled opportunity to advance your legal career while protecting the nation.

About the Agency: The Powerhouse of DHS Law

OPLA is the largest legal program within the Department of Homeland Security, employing more than 3,000 legal professionals nationwide. OPLA's primary mission is to provide comprehensive legal guidance, representation, and defense to all ICE programs and offices. Beyond this advisory capacity, OPLA serves as the exclusive representative of the United States in complex removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

Within OPLA, the District Court Litigation Division (DCLD) stands as a premier civil litigation unit. Rather than operating strictly in immigration courts, DCLD attorneys represent the agency's broad interests in traditional federal district courts, appellate courts, and administrative venues. DCLD works in tight coordination with the DHS Office of the General Counsel Headquarters, other key DHS components, and multiple arms of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)—including the Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL), the Torts Branch, and numerous U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide.

Job Responsibilities: Defending Federal Equities

Attorneys selected for the District Court Litigation Division must be prepared to hit the ground running. Due to the high-stakes nature of OPLA’s litigation caseload, assignments are fast-paced, highly visible, and demand immediate strategic execution.

Key responsibilities for these positions include:

• Civil Litigation Management: Overseeing federal civil lawsuits brought against ICE, as well as complex legal actions that impact the agency’s critical operational equities. This involves handling a broad spectrum of cases, from individual common-law tort claims to expansive class-action constitutional challenges.
• Strategic Litigation Support: Partnering directly with DOJ trial attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys. OPLA lawyers participate in every phase of district court practice, including drafting motion arguments, executing complex discovery, formulating settlement strategies, representing the agency at trial, and coordinating appellate strategies.
• FTCA Adjudication: Reviewing, researching, and resolving complex administrative claims for personal injuries and property damage submitted pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 2671-2680.
• Operational Advisory Work: Delivering actionable written and verbal counsel to ICE leadership and personnel. This includes executing training regimens and preparing proactive risk assessments to minimize institutional litigation exposure.
• Interagency Liaison: Acting as the operational face of ICE in high-level discussions with other federal components and departments regarding pending litigation and defense policies.

Job Requirements and Qualifications

This hiring initiative is designed for dedicated legal practitioners with sharp analytical instincts and robust trial or research credentials. The following foundational requirements must be met to receive consideration:

1. Bar Membership: Candidates must possess an active, good-standing bar membership in a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. Evidence of active standing must be provided upon application.
2. Education: Applicants must hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from an accredited law school.
3. Suitability and Clearance: The high-integrity environment of DHS requires that every candidate undergo a rigorous background investigation. Selectees must be capable of obtaining and maintaining a Secret security clearance.
4. Drug Screening: Candidates must complete and pass a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of tentative employment.
5. Key Competencies: Successful candidates must display a proven aptitude for prioritizing heavy, complex workloads, analyzing novel legal theories efficiently, and maintaining unwavering professional integrity in high-pressure situations.

Salary and GS-Grade Level Comparison

The compensation structure for OPLA General Attorneys is based on the federal General Schedule (GS) system. This vacancy is open for candidates qualifying at the GS-11, GS-12, GS-13, and GS-14 levels, offering significant growth up to a promotional potential of GS-14.

The basic federal salary range for these positions is $63,795 to $139,684 per year. However, this range represents the base rate. Actual compensation will be higher as locality pay adjustments are applied depending on the office selected.

To help visualize how the GS grading structure correlates with professional legal milestones and general focus areas, review the comparison table below:

GS Grade	Estimated Legal Experience	Core Focus Area within OPLA DCLD
GS-11	Entry-level or Judicial Clerkships	Detailed legal research, drafting initial pleadings, and supporting senior counsel on multi-party litigation.
GS-12	1–2 Years of Post-Bar Practice	Independently managing standard civil cases, drafting motions, and conducting administrative FTCA reviews.
GS-13	2–3+ Years of Specialized Practice	Leading complex motion practice, managing full discovery phases, negotiating settlements, and training junior staff.
GS-14	Extensive Litigation Experience	Directing high-profile class actions, designing systemic litigation defenses, and advising executive OPLA leadership.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Federal service offers a secure, highly competitive benefits portfolio designed to support long-term career growth and personal well-being. Key benefits of these General Attorney roles include:

• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan, combined with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) featuring up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Flexible Health Options: Choice among a massive array of premium federal health, vision, dental, and life insurance plans.
• Student Loan Assistance: Selectees may be eligible for student loan repayment incentives, subject to agency funding availability and a signed service agreement.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous annual vacation leave, robust sick leave accrual, and ten paid federal holidays every year.
• Accommodations: OPLA is dedicated to supporting candidates with intellectual, physical, or psychiatric disabilities by providing necessary reasonable accommodations throughout the application process and career tenure.

Step-by-Step Application Guide and Tips

Applying for a federal legal position requires meticulous planning and attention to detail. Follow this structured roadmap to ensure your package is highly competitive:

• Prepare a Comprehensive Cover Letter: This is your primary opportunity to stand out. Your cover letter must articulate your interest in the position, outline your key litigation skills, list your law school, graduation year, and bar admission date, and explicitly list your preferred duty locations (Los Angeles, Sunrise, Dallas, or The Woodlands) in order of preference.
• Format a Detailed Federal Resume: Unlike private sector resumes, federal legal resumes should be highly detailed. Specify job titles, exact employment dates (month/year), average hours worked per week, employer contact information, and detailed descriptions of your daily responsibilities and cases managed. State whether OPLA may contact your current supervisor.
• Gather Mandatory Documentation: Ensure you upload proof of active bar standing, law school transcripts, and, if applicable, military discharge documents (DD-214) or previous federal service records (SF-50).
• Complete the Questionnaire early: Access the Occupational Questionnaire via USA Staffing early in the application process. Complete all questions honestly, ensuring your resume fully supports every answer provided.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where are the physical OPLA DCLD office locations for this opening?
A: Selected candidates will work in one of OPLA's key offices located in Los Angeles, California; Sunrise, Florida; Dallas, Texas; or The Woodlands, Texas.

Q: What is the deadline to apply for this position?
A: All applications, resumes, cover letters, and supporting documentation must be submitted through the USA Staffing system no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on September 18, 2026.

Q: Does this position offer telework or remote work options?
A: This position is not designated as fully remote; successful candidates must report to their assigned physical duty stations, though local agency telework policies may apply once training and service baselines are achieved.

Q: Do military veterans receive preference in attorney hiring?
A: While there is no formal point-based rating system for attorney appointments in the excepted service, OPLA considers veteran status as a positive, favorable factor during the candidate evaluation process.

Q: What happens after I submit my application?
A: OPLA’s HR specialists will review all submitted packages for completeness and basic qualifications. Highly qualified candidates will be referred to hiring panels for interviews. Conditional job offers will trigger drug screening and the Secret security clearance background process.

Serving as a General Attorney with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor is more than a career; it is a profound commitment to defending the integrity of our nation’s laws and protecting public safety. Through the District Court Litigation Division, you will operate on the grandest legal stage, mastering complex litigation while representing crucial homeland security missions in federal court. If you possess the required bar credentials, analytical vigor, and passion for justice, take the next step in your professional journey. Complete your USA Staffing application package before the closing date on September 18, 2026, and embark on a rewarding career of national service.