Position Description

This position is located within the Office of Military Commissions (OMC) and serves as the Legal Advisor (LA) to the Convening Authority (CA) for Military Commissions. The Legal Advisor provides expert legal counsel and guidance directly to the CA, a Senior Leader appointed by the Secretary of Defense under the Military Commissions Act of 2009, to convene and oversee trials by military commission. The LA plays a critical role in interpreting and applying legal frameworks, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and addressing complex legal matters related to military commissions cases. This position is pivotal in upholding the integrity of the military justice process and supporting the mission of the OMC.

This is a term-limited position with a duration not to exceed (NTE) four (4) years from the start date.

Position Duties/Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Convening Authority (CA), providing independent and objective legal advice on all matters related to military commissions, including military and federal criminal law, the law of war, and international treaties.
• Conduct pretrial reviews, including appraising charges and evidence, and advise the CA on whether trial by military commission would adversely affect national security interests.
• Oversee the initiation, coordination, and execution of pretrial and post-trial activities, including referral of charges, pretrial negotiations, and appellate guidance.
• Act as the liaison between the CA and senior officials across the Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence agencies, and other executive agencies, ensuring effective communication and coordination.
• Supervise a team of civilian and military legal professionals, including attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff, assigning and evaluating work, providing training, and ensuring the quality of all legal products.
• Conduct extensive legal research on military commissions and related international law, preparing detailed memoranda and reports on complex legal and policy issues.
• Represent the CA in high-level forums, promoting and articulating positions related to military commissions within the DoD and with other federal agencies.
• Serve as the Initial Denial Authority (IDA) for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests related to records in possession of the CA or legal section.

This is a term-limited position with a duration not to exceed (NTE) four (4) years from the start date.

We are currently soliciting resumes for this Direct Hire Attorney position. Please note that the official job announcement will be posted on USAJobs in December.

Minimum Salary

$163,964

Maximum Salary

$191,900

WHS is the designated support and service provider of human resources, facilities, resource management, contracting, personnel security, research, equal employment opportunity, and executive services for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Military Departments, other select DoD Components in the National Capital Region and beyond, Congress, and the White House.

WHS enables mission partners’ success by delivering high-quality, convenient services which align to and support the National Defense Strategy and provide an exceptional customer experience that exceeds our partners expectation.