Attorney – Title & Real Property

If you are an experienced title and real property practice attorney who is seeking an employment opportunity in the public sector this job may be for you.

You’ll do sophisticated legal work, with employment stability, a highly competitive federal government benefits package, and an alternative to the billable-hour and business-development demands of private practice.  This employment opportunity is with the Office of Chief Counsel within U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Your background should show experience in areas such as title examination and review, title opinions, curative matters, Federal land acquisition, conveyancing, easements, right-of-way, complex real-property matters or related experience.   

This Title Attorney position is in multiple locations including:

Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ, Yuma, AZ, San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; Washington, D.C.; Miami, FL, Glynco, GA; Chicago, IL; Indianapolis, IN; New Orleans, LA; Detroit, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Nashville, TN; San Antonio, TX; Ashburn, VA; and Milwaukee, WI.

Typical work assignments include:

• Providing legal guidance to, and advocating on behalf of, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in a wide variety of matters, including real property issues, such as providing detailed title review for CBP-funded land acquisitions including problematic conveyancing issues and the optimal resolution of such issues.
• Providing legal guidance and drafting of land conveyancing instruments such as deeds, sales and exchange agreements, assignments, subordinations, pre- and post- acquisition title opinions and other instruments for real property conveyancing and drafting, revising and amending such instruments as necessary to comply with the DOJ Title Regulations, other applicable laws and regulations, and the client agencies' land acquisition goals and policies.
• Supporting the Department of Justice as agency counsel in civil actions (i.e., FOIA, FTCA,) brought in federal court by preparing litigation reports, affidavits, and other pleadings, and participating in eDiscovery, motion drafting, witness interviews, and mediation/settlement discussions.
• Performing legal research and applying laws, regulations, decisions, and guidance across the CBP portfolio including title review, federal land acquisition, and fiscal and appropriation laws, such as the permissible use of appropriated funds and the preparation of CBP's annual budget request.
• Developing and delivering legal training to CBP managers and employees relating to all aspects of title review, federal land acquisition, and fiscal activities and functions of CBP.

Salary and Benefits

This position may be filled at the GS-12, 13, or 14 grade level depending upon your background, including your level and quality of experience. The GS-12 grade level starts at a salary of $89,508 with promotion opportunities to the GS-14 step 10 grade level, $162,514.

NOTE: Newly appointed General Attorneys may be offered a recruitment incentive up to $50,000. Current CBP General Attorneys may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive up to 25% of base pay. A service agreement is required for all incentives.

You will receive the full package of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional 401(k) offering.

Qualifications

Note: Prior Federal employment is not required and attorneys with transferable private-sector or state/local government experience are encouraged to apply.

For the GS-12 grade level:  You will need a minimum of one year of specialized experience in areas such as: title examination, title opinions, and title curative matters; real-property acquisitions and conveyancing; easements, rights-of-way, and other property interests; commercial real-estate transactions and due diligence; land acquisition and eminent-domain matters; title insurance and underwriting; oil, gas, energy, or mineral-title matters; or Federal, state, or local government real-property matters.

AND:

Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

For the GS-13 and 14 grade levels: Depending on background and years of relevant experience, a candidate will be offered a position and placed at the appropriate GS pay level.

How to Apply – READ CAREFULLY:

Documents required: Cover Letter, Resume, Law School Transcript. 

If you are currently a federal employee, also provide an SF-50 showing that you meet the time in grade and Department requirements.

Email your complete application package to: CBP-OCC-TF-MAILBOX@cbp.dhs.gov
In the subject line of your email you must reference: Title Attorney- Vacancy CC/26-34 and indicate which location(s) you wish to apply for.

To access the official Job Opportunity Announcement on USAJOBS, the Federal Government’s official employment site, click on the “apply” button on this job board.  You will be able to discover additional background information about the job and its public sector benefits.  That site is:  USAJOBS - Job Announcement

Cover letter: Your application package must include a cover letter expressing your interest in this position. Please do not exceed two pages. Application packages received without a cover letter will not be given consideration.

Resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining pay grade setting.

Transcripts: From an ABA approved law school or equivalent is required. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Writing Sample: A writing sample is required as part of the application package and may not exceed five pages.

Applicants will be rated based on their education, experience, demonstrated legal research and writing abilities, and performance during the interview process, which may include personal interview(s) and a writing exercise.

The closing date for this employment opportunity is December 12, 2026.  APPLY EARLY!

Apply following only the instructions above—DO NOT fax, hand-delivery, USA jobs or send by U.S. mail.

Interested in other career opportunities with CBP? Visit www.cbp.gov/careers and check the CBP calendar at www.cbp.gov/cbp-events-calendar frequently for upcoming informational webinars, in-person recruiter events, and virtual career events.