Advance Your Legal Career: Senior Attorney Advisor at the CFTC
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is at the forefront of financial market regulation. We are currently searching for an experienced legal professional to join the Office of the General Counsel as a Senior Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel). This position offers a rare opportunity to influence national financial policy, draft critical regulations, and provide top-tier legal advice at a senior level.
Job Responsibilities
As a Senior Attorney in the Regulatory Branch, you will perform the following core duties:
- Regulatory Drafting: Authoring proposed and final regulations on high-impact, complex matters.
- Strategic Advising: Providing legal and policy advice to Division leadership and Commission officials regarding market developments.
- Interpretive Guidance: Drafting no-action letters, policy statements, and other formal communications to clarify statutory ambiguities.
- Policy Leadership: Leading cross-divisional initiatives and conducting comprehensive cost-benefit analyses as required by the Commodity Exchange Act.
Requirements
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Educational Requirement: Possession of a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Bar Membership: Active bar membership in good standing.
- Experience: A minimum of 5 years of post-law school legal experience, with at least one year at a level of complexity equivalent to a GS/CT-14.
Comparison: Standard Attorney vs. Senior Assistant General Counsel
| Feature | Standard Attorney | Senior Assistant General Counsel |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Routine/Moderate | Highly Complex/Novel |
| Leadership | Supervised | Independent/Mentorship |
| Scope | Case-Specific | Agency-Wide/Policy-Shaping |
Salary Overview
This position offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and federal pay scales, ranging from $211,807 to $292,300 per year.
Benefits
As a federal employee, you will have access to:
- Comprehensive health and life insurance options.
- Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) participation.
- Significant leave benefits and federal holidays.
- Opportunities for professional training and development.
Application Tips
Ensure your resume is concise (max 2 pages) and highlights your most complex regulatory accomplishments. Always verify that your transcripts are attached, and double-check your email settings to ensure you do not miss notifications from the agency.
If you are a seasoned attorney looking to make a lasting mark on the regulatory landscape of U.S. financial markets, we invite you to apply. This role provides the platform to lead, mentor, and shape the future of market integrity.
Why This Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel) Job Matters
Elevate your legal career by shaping the future of financial markets with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a Senior Attorney Advisor.
Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel) Job Overview
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking a highly skilled Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel) to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) in Washington, D.C. This role is pivotal in interpreting statutes, drafting high-impact regulations, and providing strategic legal guidance to senior leadership on complex issues arising under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Requirements for Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel)
- Possession of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Active membership in good standing with the bar of any U.S. state, territory, D.C., or Puerto Rico.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant post-law school legal experience.
- At least one year of specialized experience at a level comparable to the GS/CT-14 federal grade.
- Must be able to demonstrate advanced ability to analyze complex, novel legal and factual issues.
Preferred Qualifications for Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel)
- Significant experience with regulatory development and administrative law.
- Demonstrated expertise in the Commodity Exchange Act or related financial regulatory frameworks.
- Proven track record of advising executive leadership on high-visibility legal and policy matters.
- Strong technical writing skills for formal regulatory and interpretive guidance.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
- ✓Paid annual and sick leave.
- ✓Flexible work options including telework eligibility.
- ✓Professional development and mentorship programs.
- ✓Opportunities for high-level impact on national financial policy.
💡 How to Apply Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel) Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Counsel) Job
- Prepare a resume that is no longer than two pages.
- Visit USAJOBS.GOV and sign in or create an account via LOGIN.GOV.
- Upload a complete package including your resume, bar membership details, and J.D. transcripts.
- Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date.
- Monitor your status through the USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume strictly under two pages and use a font size of 10 points or larger.
- Explicitly detail your experience with complex regulatory matters to ensure you meet the senior-level threshold.
- Include specific information regarding your bar membership status.
- If claiming veterans' preference, ensure all supporting documentation, such as the DD-214 or SF-15, is attached.
- Double-check your contact information, specifically your email address, to ensure you receive agency communications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary role of the OGC at the CFTC?
The Office of the General Counsel acts as the primary legal advisor to the Commission, Chair, and Executive Director, providing guidance on litigation, rulemaking, and statutory compliance.
Is veterans' preference applied to this position?
While this position is in the excepted service and does not use a numerical rating system, the CFTC considers veterans' preference as a positive factor in the hiring process.
What is the trial period for this role?
Selected candidates may be required to serve a 2-year trial period to evaluate performance and professional fitness.
Is relocation assistance offered?
No, relocation expenses are not covered for this position.
Can I submit my application after the deadline?
No, the system closes automatically at 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date.
Job from Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The CFTC is an independent federal agency tasked with overseeing the U.S. derivatives markets, including futures, options, and swaps. Our mission is to promote market integrity, transparency, and resilience, while actively preventing and prosecuting fraud, manipulation, and other abuses that could jeopardize the American public or the broader financial system.