Attorney (Patent Attorney)

Attorneys provide legal advice and representation to ensure that NGA accomplishes its mission in compliance with applicable laws. They ascertain facts, analyze issues, apply legal authorities, render opinions, and advocate Agency positions. Attorneys work cooperatively with others within the office, the Agency, the Intelligence Community, the DoD, and the U.S. Government. Attorneys perform legal r

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Duties:
1. Serves as authority on invention disclosures ensuring that legal position/rights of the Agency, inventors, and contractors are clearly defined;
2. Reviews and coordinates the disposition of administrative claims for infringement of patents or copyrights;
3. Coordinates with and supports the Department of Justice in litigation of patent or copyright infringement claims brought in federal court;
4. Advises senior leaders on probable outcomes of pending legal actions, and documents justification selected course of action; represents NGA during legal proceedings and evaluate the outcomes for future planning;
5. Develops and executes legal strategies consistent with NGA mission;
6. Interprets applicable laws, and provides expert, authoritative legal advice and trains the workforce;
7. Oversees implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence of contractor and government program deficiencies; and
8. Performs other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Candidates will be assessed based upon the information relayed in their submitted (uploaded) resume, cover letter, and supporting documentation. Upload under the “other” option when completing your online application. Please ensure all work experience details month and year of starting or concluding a position.

It is important applicants fully complete the following sections of the online application within the candidate portal (https://careers.nga.mil): Start, Prequalify, Personal Information, Preferences, and Education sections of the online application. For the Work Experience and Accomplishments sections, applicants need only identify their most recent work experience and accomplishment because the assessment panel will primarily rely upon the information contained within the candidate’s submitted resume and supporting documents.

Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit on this website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to: 1) Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics that are aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in the application you submit must support the response you provide to this questionnaire. You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required. Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible.

This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment. To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter. Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility. To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time. If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government. Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

1. Demonstrated proficiency writing patent applications and practicing before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
2. Demonstrated experience in the legal, scientific, and technical work concerning patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property as described in this position announcement.
3. Demonstrated experience providing timely, accurate, and practical legal advice to help clients meet organizational objectives while remaining compliant with applicable law.
4. Demonstrated experience collaborating with clients and colleagues to enable effective and proactive resolution of legal matters.
5. Superior legal research and analytical skills developed in either private practice or government service; a demonstrated ability to evaluate pertinent facts; research, analyze, and apply laws, rules, and regulations; and execute legal strategies.
6. Demonstrated experience navigating ambiguity by adapting to new demands or information and handling situations with multiple variables or unknowns, especially in situations where there is little judicial precedent or case law.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Must be a member in good standing of a bar of a U.S. state or territory, the District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

1. Prior experience writing and prosecuting software patents, particularly those related to computer vision, artificial intelligence, or machine learning.
2. Prior experience providing legal advice and counsel on all aspects of intellectual property law.
3. Prior experience advising private sector executives, federal senior executives, and/or military commanders regarding law and policy related to intellectual property, including statutory and other authorities.