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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Attorney

FOIA Attorneys provide critical legal support to help guide the CIA’s response on a wide variety of FOIA requests related to national security at the administrative phase and/or in litigation.
  • Full time
  • Starting salary: $78,592 -$183,500
  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active bar membership (any US jurisdiction)
  • US citizenship required (dual-national US citizens eligible).
  • All positions require relocation to the Washington, DC metro area.

Agency-wide Requirements

All applicants must be:

  • U.S. citizens (dual U.S. citizens also eligible)
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Willing to move to the Washington, DC area
  • Able to complete security and medical evaluations
  • Registered for the Selective Service

About the Job

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provides legal advice and policy counsel to the Director of the CIA (DCIA) and other CIA officers on a variety of legal issues, to include intelligence and national security law; procurement and acquisition law; employment and personnel law; government ethics; fiscal law; general administrative law; privacy and civil liberties, and legislative affairs.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives, and encourages MyLINK submission from qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide legal advice and policy counsel to CIA leadership on complex areas of law affecting the CIA’s duties and responsibilities under authorities including the National Security Act, the CIA Act, and Executive Orders.
  • Conduct legal research and analysis on sensitive matters.
  • Provide training on a variety of laws and policies affecting CIA personnel.
  • Maintain productive working relationships with other Intelligence Community elements, federal agencies, congressional committees, and use these relationships to further the mission of the CIA.

As a FOIA Attorney, you will work on unique and challenging requests for information related to national security and interact with a wide variety of US Government agencies, federal courts, and the private sector.

Who You’ll Work With

At the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), we recognize our Nation’s strength comes from the diversity of its people. People from a broad range of backgrounds and viewpoints work at CIA, and our diverse teams are the reason we can keep our country safe.

Read more about diversity and inclusion

What You’ll Get

Our benefits support every aspect of a working professional’s life, including health and wellness, time off, family, finances, and continuing education. Our programs include highly sought-after government health benefits, flexible schedules, sick leave, and childcare. In some cases, we also offer sign-on incentives and cover moving expenses if you relocate.

As a CIA employee, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your work is part of something bigger than yourself. Our work is driven by one mission: to keep our Nation safe. Every day is an opportunity to enhance U.S. national security.

Learn more about working at CIA

Minimum Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active bar membership from any of the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
  • Prior FOIA experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity by adapting to new demands or information, and handling situations with multiple variables and unknowns.
  • Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation.

Desired Qualifications

All candidates are reviewed for the following competencies:

  • Legal analysis, reasoning and writing, including the ability to quickly integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions in compressed timeframes.
  • Demonstrated expertise on complex legal matters.
  • The ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment.
  • The ability to exercise sound judgment in challenging situations.
  • Willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ability to navigate changing circumstances.
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently.
  • Ability to develop and maintain close and collaborative working relationships inside and outside the CIA.

 

The following are also desired for FOIA Attorneys:

  • Experience dealing with the FOIA administrative process, preferably in the national security law arena.
  • Prior private practice or government litigation experience.