Trial Attorney - Camp Lejeune Unit

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) Office defends litigation brought under the "Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022" (CLJA), Pub. L. No. 117-168, § 804, 136 Stat. 1802, 1802-04 (2022). This statute aims to provide appropriate relief to service members and others who were injured as a result of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Civil Division is the largest litigating component in the Department of Justice, with over 2,000 employees. Each office within the Division handles cases worth millions, sometimes trillions, as well as cases that involve legal issues of great national importance, including matters of national security, separation of powers, and immigration. The Division also defends against constitutional challenges to federal statutes, substantive and procedural challenges to agency regulations and Executive Branch initiatives, and tort actions brought against federal employees and agencies, among many other kinds of defensive litigation.

In addition, the Division handles an array of affirmative enforcement matters, including civil fraud, government ethics, federal preemption, and consumer protection.

The CLJA is a fast-moving litigation that is a high priority for the Department of Justice. It is purported to be the largest mass tort in United States history. Currently, more than 3,700 lawsuits are pending in the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC) and approximately 409,000 administrative claims have been submitted to the Department of the Navy. The cases present interesting issues of scientific and medical causation.

Some of the pending cases are expected to go to trial in the EDNC in 2026.

This position is Trial Attorney, located in the Department of Justice, Torts Branch, Civil Division, Camp Lejeune Unit.

The Camp Lejeune Unit consists of a team of dedicated employees who energetically provide the defense of what is reported to be the largest mass toxic tort litigation in United States history. This Unit defends the United States in litigation brought under the "Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022" (CLJA), Pub. L. No. 117-168, § 804, 136 Stat. 1802, 1802-04 (2022), which was signed into law on August 10, 2022.

This statute aims to provide appropriate relief to service members and others who were injured as a result of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, between 1953 and 1987.

This litigation provides unique opportunities in many components of litigation, including fact and expert discovery, working with scientific and medical expert witnesses, interacting with various federal agencies, robust motion practice, oral advocacy, settlement negotiations, and trials. Other responsibilities include working with the Department of Justice Civil Appellate Section and representing the United States in certain appellate matters, including CLJA statutory construction matters.

This Unit also works closely with the Department of the Navy on the administrative claims and related settlement matters. This Camp Lejeune team provides relevant litigation training sessions, and they attend educational programs provided for Federal employees.

CLJA litigation is a complex, high-stakes, and high-visibility toxic tort matter where multi-trillions of dollars in damages are sought from the United States. This litigation is of substantial public and Congressional interest. There are over 3,700 CLJA lawsuits pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and over 409,000 administrative claims pending with the Department of the Navy.

The Camp Lejeune team provides the defense for all of these matters. Continuity of counsel competent to deal with the medical, scientific, and legal issues, is required to manage such massive and complex cases.

The incumbent reports to the Chief, Camp Lejeune Unit, and is responsible for conducting litigation in the District Court and appeals that arise from Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA) cases and administrative claims.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must complete and pass a drug test.
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
• May require completion of a 2-year trial period. (Please refer to the trial period statement under Qualifications.)
• Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation and may be required to obtain a clearance.
• It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
• Financial Disclosure:
  If selected, you will be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.