Job Description
The Central Intelligence Agency's Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking Lateral Attorneys to provide lawful tips and policy counsel on many problems affecting national security.
Attorneys in this role support the Director of the CIA and other officers on matters including intelligence and national security law, procurement, employment law, state ethics, fiscal law, privacy and civil liberties, and legislative affairs.
You’ll carry out permitted research on sensitive topics, hand over training on laws and policies, and engage with other Intelligence Community elements, federal agencies, and congressional committees.
This role suits mid-career attorneys with more than three years of post-law school experience who are ready to operate on the most complex lawful concerns in the Agency.
This role is located in Washington, DC, and needs a commitment to upholding the rule of law and the US Constitution.
Salary & Compensation
Pay / Pay Package: $143,913 - $197,200 per year.
Qualification
To qualify for the Lateral Attorney position.. You must be an active participant of the bar in any US jurisdiction and have at least three years of demonstrated experience in one or more of OGC's practice fields.
You must also gather CIA employment conditions covering US citizenship and aptitude to obtain a top-secret clearance.
- Active membership of the bar in any US jurisdiction.
- At least three years of post-law school expertise in one or more OGC practice areas.
- US citizenship and ability to pass a thorough background investigation, medical and psychological exam, and polygraph meeting.
- Permitted analysis, reasoning, and writing abilities, such as capacity to integrate facts and law under compressed timelines.
- Strong interpersonal and communication expertise, and aptitude to work independently and as section of a staff.
- Sound judgment in challenging situations and capacity to oversee changing circumstances.
- Aptitude to run multiple function assignments and competing priorities concurrently.
- Demonstrated expertise in one or more of: Constitutional Law, Public sector Contracts, Employment Law, Ethics, Fiscal Law, FOIA, International Law, Investigations, Federal Litigation, Privacy Law, Operational Law, Surveillance Law, or Tech/Cyber Law.
Role Responsibilities
- Supply lawful guidance and policy counsel to CIA leadership on complex spheres of law under the National Security Act, CIA Act, and Executive Orders.
- Run legal research and analysis on sensitive matters affecting national security.
- Provide training to CIA personnel on various laws and policies.
- Engage with other Intelligence Community elements, federal agencies, and congressional committees.
- Keep up productive operating relationships with OGC and Agency officers to further the CIA's mission.
- Advise on intelligence and national security law, procurement, employment law, ethics, fiscal law, privacy, and legislative affairs.
How to Apply
- Stop by the USAJOBS announcement for this role (Post ID: 757401400) and with your USAJOBS/Login.gov account.
- Wrap up the federal submission questionnaire and attach your federal resume and needed documents.
- Alternatively, express interest on the CIA paths website (cia.gov/professions) for up to four positions, then hand in your resume and role rankings via MyLINK.
- Confirm you’re physically in the United States or its territories when sending in your resume via MyLINK.
- After expressing interest, a CIA recruiter may contact you for further discussion if your qualifications encounter the Agency's demands.
Additional Information
- This announcement is unseal from June 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.
- The pay variety for GS-14/15 is $143,913 to $197,200 per year.
- You must be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC domain.
- Dual-national US citizens are eligible to apply.
- Selective Offering registration is required if relevant.
- This posting is for generalist candidates; specialty practice field postings are also on offer on CIA.gov.
- All hiring decisions are set on merit and not on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
About Company
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent federal agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to experienced US policymakers.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) aids the CIA's mission by providing permitted tips across a extensive spectrum of practice domains, covering intelligence law, employment law, and state ethics.
For attorneys passionate about public service and the norm of law, the CIA offers a uncommon opportunity to perform on intricate legal matters at the intersection of law and national security. Central Intelligence Agency is named as the hiring organization for the Lateral Attorney post.
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Quick answers to common applicant questions about this position, eligibility and the application process.