Summary The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) serves as legal advisor to the CFTC's Commission, the Chair, the Executive Director, and the Agency as a whole. OGC's legal advice includes, but is not limited to, areas such as Agency litigation, statutory and regulatory interpretation, rulemaking, analyses of proposed legislation, and other legal issues arising in connection with the administration and enforcement of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and the Commission's implementing regulations. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as a Senior Attorney in the Regulatory Branch of the OGC and is responsible for supporting senior leadership through legal analysis, policy evaluation, and the preparation of high-level written materials related to the Commission's statutory authorities and operations. Typical duties include: Serves as a senior attorney primarily responsible for authoring proposed and final regulations on complex, novel, and high-impact regulatory matters with agency-wide significance. Leads or coordinates the development of these regulations in close collaboration with other divisions, external stakeholders, and-when appropriate-other federal agencies, ensuring full compliance with procedural requirements including the Congressional Review Act. Prepares comprehensive, legally sufficient supporting analyses integral to regulatory actions, including cost-benefit evaluations under section 15(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), Paperwork Reduction Act assessments, and other required statutory reviews. Ensures all regulatory products are grounded in clear statutory authority and supported by rigorous, sound policy rationale. Provides authoritative legal and strategic advice to Division leadership and Commission officials on emerging market developments, novel issues, sensitive matters, and high-visibility regulatory initiatives, informing the content and direction of drafted regulations and related policy responses. Exercises substantial independent judgment in analyzing evolving market practices and financial products, recommending regulatory responses, and preparing initiatives, programmatic responses, and interpretive guidance to address statutory and regulatory ambiguities. Authors formal and informal interpretive guidance, no-action letters (where applicable), policy statements, and other communications to clarify ambiguities and support effective implementation of Commission regulations. Resolves novel legal questions through in-depth analysis and recommends formal or informal guidance to ensure consistent application across regulated entities and financial markets. Prepares high-level briefing materials, legal memoranda, executive summaries, and other documents for the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel (Regulatory Group), Commission meetings, and senior leadership deliberations related to regulatory development. Leads or participates in cross-divisional policy initiatives that shape agency-wide regulatory strategy, fully integrating legal analysis into programmatic and operational decisions. Assesses systemic and market-wide implications of proposed regulatory actions, including long-term consequences of regulation, guidance, and other outputs. Advises leadership on these factors to promote balanced and effective regulatory outcomes. Provides technical direction, mentorship, and guidance to staff attorneys and regulatory specialists on complex regulatory development and drafting assignments. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following: J.D.; and Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty) AND CT-15 level: Candidates with a law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar membership and 5 years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school. At least one year of this experience must have been at a level of responsibility and difficulty to that of the position at the next lower level in the federal service (e.g., GS/CT-14) and clearly demonstrate knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties to deal with cases characterized by complex legal or factual issues. Relevant legal experience is defined as attorneys, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained after graduation from a law school. Legal and non- legal experience gained in the Federal government or private sector prior to completing a law degree cannot be used to satisfy the legal experience requirement. Work while in law school does not count. Education Successful completion of a full course of study (J.D.) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see www.ed.gov. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid. Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. This is not a Bargaining Unit position. More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement. The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information. The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.
