United States Court of Federal Claims – Special Master

The United States Court of Federal Claims is seeking to fill one special master position in the Court’s Office of Special Masters.

Position Overview

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa -10 through 34 (2006)) vests jurisdiction in the United States Court of Federal Claims over vaccine injury and death cases. Special masters, who are appointed by the court’s judges, serve four-year terms, subject to reappointment for additional four-year terms. The special masters function as the trial judges in these often, medically complex vaccine cases. They oversee all aspects of record development, conduct evidentiary hearings, and issue final decisions, subject to appeal, on entitlement to compensation, on damages, and on attorney’s fees and costs. Alternative dispute resolution processes are frequently used to resolve issues, and demonstrated experience in that regard is beneficial.

In general, special masters should have experience managing large caseloads, managing legal and administrative staff, writing opinions or substantive legal memoranda and briefs, and conducting or actively participating in courtroom proceedings. In addition, special masters rule on motions and evidentiary issues. The position requires maturity, facility with the principles of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, demeanor appropriate to the position, and experience working with complex factual issues involving expert testimony and terminology, preferably in the field of medicine.

The position opens on April 3, 2017, and closes on May 5, 2017. Click here for more details and application information.

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