Legal Counsel for Freedom of Information Act

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is inviting applications for a skilled Legal Counsel focused on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and related legal issues. This role is essential in shaping the Program's response to FOIA obligations and ensuring compliance with legal standards.

The responsibilities include:

• Overseeing and responding to FOIA requests for records both within the OGC and its field operations.
• Ensuring that all FOIA responses are timely, legally appropriate, clearly articulated, and aligned with DOJ and federal FOIA guidelines.
• Providing expert legal support to the U.S. Attorney's Office on FOIA litigation, including case strategy and drafting legal documents.
• Acting as the primary advisor on FOIA policies, processes, and regulations.
• Preparing necessary reports for the DOJ and Program, including the Chief FOIA Officer Report and Annual FOIA Report.
• Offering advice and guidance to staff and leadership on FOIA-related inquiries while maintaining an organized SharePoint portal and external FOIA library.
• Ensuring accurate data entry and management in the FOIA case management database.
• Analyzing and enhancing systems for information management related to FOIA requests and appeals.
• Developing and implementing policies for FOIA functions within the Program.
• Providing training to staff and leadership on FOIA policies and requirements.
• Representing the Program in inter-agency workgroups and liaising with the DOJ’s Office of Information Policy when needed.

In addition to the primary responsibilities, you may also handle assignments that pertain to critical policy, program, or operational matters. These tasks may include:

• Conducting legal and policy research.
• Preparing analyses and recommendations on federal administrative law matters.
• Communicating effectively with management, DOJ officials, and other federal agencies.
• Strategically representing the Program's position in various forums.
• Monitoring DOJ developments that impact the Program and providing insightful recommendations.
• Engaging in additional projects as required.

We encourage talented attorneys with a passion for public service and expertise in FOIA to apply for this impactful position.