This position is in the CFTC Attorney Honors Program (CAHP). Through this program, participants are provided the opportunity to gain expertise through at least two rotations designed to provide developmental on-the-job experiences. Each rotation will be at least 180-days in length. The incumbent will work with various CFTC staff members from multiple divisions on projects and assignments that encompass a broad range of the Commission’s work impacting enforcement and regulatory functions.
This program was established to provide developmental experience to recent law school graduates who have passed the bar and are interested in learning about the regulation of the U.S. derivatives market.
Attorneys Honors Program participants may rotate through one or more of the following Divisions or Offices:
Five Commissioners administer the CFTC, all Commissioners are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President designates one of the Commissioners to serve as Chairman. The Chairman and Commissioners sponsor advisory committees as well as provide market oversight.
DCR is responsible for the supervision and financial and risk surveillance of DCOs. DCR is also responsible for the risk surveillance of futures commission merchants (FCMs) that are clearing members, non-FCM clearing members, and other market participants that may pose risk to the clearing process including swap dealers and large traders.
DOE investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (The Act) and CFTC regulations by filing complaints in the U.S. District Court. The Division also provides expert help and technical assistance with case development and trials.
MPD provides oversight in derivatives market intermediaries, including commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisors, futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, major swap participants, retail foreign exchange dealers, and swap dealers, as well as designated self-regulatory organizations.
OGC is responsible for providing legal services to the Chairman, Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officer, and Divisions with respect to litigation, interpretations, rulemaking, analysis of proposed legislation, and other legal issues arising in connection with the administration of The Act, and particularly with respect to novel, complex, and difficult matters.
Office of International Affairs (OIA)
OIA is responsible for overseeing how the CFTC interacts with its foreign counterparts in multilateral and bilateral fora, assisting the Chairman, Commissioners and staff of the CFTC in analyzing the implications of regulatory policies, advising the CFTC on supervisory cooperation issues, and providing technical assistance to foreign authorities.
During the program the incumbent may perform the following duties:
Planning, organizing and participating in the conduct of investigations of suspected violations of the applicable provisions of the federal commodity laws administered by the Commission.
Providing written or oral legal advice on assigned projects with respect to the relevant provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (The Act) and the Commission's regulations, and other statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and legal opinions that are pertinent.
On the basis of the research or investigation preparing necessary legal documents, advisory opinions, drafts or comments on proposed legislation or changes in regulations or other disposition.
Reviewing regulations, policies, and other legally oriented matters prepared by Divisions that affect regulatory programs, to ensure consistency with The Act and guidance previously issued.
Participating in litigation in various federal courts and other tribunals concerning the federal commodity laws administered by the Commission, the Administrative Procedure Act, and other applicable law.
Appointment type
Term - This position is time limited not-to-exceed two years. Upon successful completion, participants may be converted to a permanent position, based on agency need. Permanent Attorney positions may have future promotion potential up to the CT-14 level.
Work schedule
Full-time
Conditions of Employment
U.S. Citizenship
Favorable Background/Security Investigation
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
May be subject to a two-year trial period.
You must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
Bar Membership: Currently an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Qualifications
This program was established to provide developmental experience to recent law school graduates who have passed the bar. Applicants must meet all of the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
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 job offer)
AND
Superior Academic Achievement: Superior Academic Achievement is defined as top 1/3 or above of law school graduating class; significant achievement on law review; moot court participation relevant law school coursework; undergraduate degree in economics or finance; law clerk experience with major law firm, federal judge, U.S. Attorney's or Federal Public Defender's Office; superior legal writing ability as evidence by current legal publications or the equivalent; honors graduate of college or university; participation on undergraduate debate team.
OR
CT-11 Level: To qualify for the CT-11 level you must have at least one year of relevant experience after law school. Relevant experience is defined as attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from law school.
The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.
Highly desirable applicants will have a 3.0 GPA or higher in their law school studies.
Note: If qualifying based on Superior Academic Achievement supporting documents must be attached to your application OR your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirement.
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
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is an independent U.S. government financial regulatory agency. Its mission is to promote the integrity, resilience, and vibrancy of the U.S. derivatives markets through sound regulation. The CFTC strives to be the global standard for sound derivatives regulation and provide transparency to market participants about the CFTC’s rules and processes. In addition, the CFTC protects the public and preserves market integrity by detecting, investigating, and prosecuting violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations.
The derivatives markets profoundly affect the U.S. economy, and the prices American families pay for food, energy, transportation, and most other goods and services bought each day. A wide variety of businesses—such as manufacturers, retailers, farmers, and ranchers—uses these markets to manage routine commercial risk. For example, derivatives enable farmers to lock in a price for their crops, and utility companies or airlines to hedge the costs of fuel. Derivatives also enable exporters and importers to manage fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and businesses of all types to lock in their bo...rrowing costs.
In the simplest terms, derivatives markets enable businesses of all kinds to manage risk, helping them to focus on innovating, producing goods and services and creating jobs. The CFTC works to ensure market participants can use markets with confidence.