Correctional Legal Counsel (Attorney)

Quick Facts

• Primary law enforcement–associated attorney role focused on correctional law legal practice and litigation.

• Provides legal advice for federal correctional facilities with possible periodic on-site legal services and court appearances in Denver.

• Works in coordination with the U.S. Attorneys’ Office on litigation issues.

Description

Provide correctional law legal practice coverage through administrative and litigation channels, supporting matters such as inmates’ reasonable access to the courts, conditions of confinement, medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation, discipline, civil commitment, and mental health issues.

You will advise and guide correctional facility staff (including executive leadership), communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, and agency officials, and maintain thorough knowledge of Bureau of Prisons policy and practice to advocate the agency’s rationale in District Court on short notice.

Responsibilities

• Advise and guide all levels of staff at covered federal correctional facilities.

• Support judicial proceedings in Denver and provide periodic on-site legal services at facility locations.

• Explain and advocate correctional management decisions using BOP policy and practice in District Court.

• Handle practice areas in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Prisoners’ Rights.

• Perform hands-on primary law enforcement duties during training, emergencies, staffing shortages, and correctional operating crises (e.g., custody/supervision, emergency response, patrols, inmate shakedowns/visual searches for contraband, and use of physical control when necessary).

Requirements

• J.D. degree.

• Active membership in the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

• U.S. citizenship required.

• Successful completion of Institution Familiarization.

• Completion of Introduction to Correctional Techniques: Phase I locally and Phase II through the Staff Training Academy.

• Successful completion of pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.

• Satisfactorily pass screening including NCIC and credit check and review of income tax filing history.

• Comply with professional conduct rules and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Benefits

Access to a comprehensive federal benefits package for U.S. government employees; eligibility depends on the type of position held and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.