Federal
Attorney (Intellectual Property)
U.S. Postal Service ยท Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
About This Position
The Law Department is seeking to fill an Intellectual Property Attorney position in the Procurement & Property Law Section. The position will be domiciled at Postal Service headquarters in Washington, DC.
Qualifications
The successful candidate must demonstrate knowledge and experience in intellectual property law, demonstrating expertise in one or more of the following subjects: trademark, copyright, patents, rights of publicity, licensing in the field of trademark and copyright, rights in technology and data, and trade secrets law. The selected attorney may also be asked to advise on matters relating to trademark prosecution; enforcement of intellectual property rights; patent and other intellectual property litigation; Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) cases; Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA); domain name disputes; licensing of intellectual property; the rules and regulations of the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and other matters relating to intellectual property. The successful candidate's role in litigation will be to support primary litigation attorneys. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to prepare pretrial briefs, motions, pleadings, responses and other documents to present the issues independently with little or no direct supervision. Ability to provide legal advice and services with respect to regulations, practices, or other legal matters, and formulate opinions involving the analysis and interpretation of federal, state and local laws. Ability to litigate cases before administrative bodies and federal courts. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to include the ability to negotiate with third parties on behalf of clients and prepare legal documents and presentations. Ability to conduct legal research to gather and interpret information and ensure accuracy of details using resources such as internal and external documents, archives, electronic databases, and interviews. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for the Attorney position, you must possess a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school. SPECIAL CONDITION: Qualified applicants must be a current member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar Association. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: At least 3 years of experience in legal practice, of which one year of the experience requirement may be met through the completion of a judicial clerkship if completed by the time of hire. The clerkship must be documented in the applicant's resume. Experience practicing intellectual property law (trademark, copyright, rights of publicity, patents, licensing, and/or trade secrets).
Major Duties
The Postal Service offers a sophisticated intellectual property practice involving a wide range of complex matters and the opportunity to work for an organization providing a vital public service to the United States. The IP attorneys provide legal counsel to the Postal Service on a variety of intellectual property matters including: the selection, registration, maintenance, portfolio management, and enforcement of trademarks, patents, and copyright; technology matters, including negotiating software agreements and licenses, technology transfer and data purchase or sale agreements, API terms, platform terms and other agreements relating to information technology; clearance and pre-publication review of media and marketing materials, stamps, products, and services to avoid issues relating to copyright, trademark, and rights of privacy or publicity; and negotiating and drafting intellectual property provisions in license agreements. DUTIES: Conducts legal research and prepares written material for use in representing the Postal Service and advising postal management officials. Participates in conferences necessary to representing or advising Postal Service officials. Directly advises postal management officials and represents the Postal Service in legal matters involving outside parties. Prepares replies to inquiries from Congress, government agencies, and the public. Prepares opinions, memoranda, decisions, regulations, testimonies, or formal filings in proceedings in which the Postal Service is a party.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident alien status. Current career Postal Service employees are ineligible to apply to this posting. Qualified applicant must successfully pass a drug screening.
Education
Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
How You Will Be Evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.
How to Apply
You will need to apply via our on-line application process at www.usps.com/employment. You will need to create an applicant profile. Once you are on the website, click "Search our latest job postings" OR select "Start your eCareer profile." You will have an opportunity to upload any requested documents to your profile. This is a two-step application process requiring you to create a profile and submit an application for the position you are applying for. You will receive two email confirmations: An email confirming your profile is complete. After submitting your application, you will receive a second email confirming your application has been successfully submitted.
Required Documents
Cover letter Resume Writing sample See 'How to Apply' for instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Attorney (Intellectual Property) position at U.S. Postal Service?
The salary range for this position is $130,570 - $198,140/yr. This is a UA-1 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Attorney (Intellectual Property) job located?
This position is located in Washington, District of Columbia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
The successful candidate must demonstrate knowledge and experience in intellectual property law, demonstrating expertise in one or more of the following subjects: trademark, copyright, patents, rights of publicity, licensing in the field of trademark and copyright, rights in technology and data, and trade secrets law. The selected attorney may a...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 12, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does UA-1 mean?
UA-1 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.