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Foreign Law Specialist
Federal legal position researching, analyzing, and advising on international law, foreign legal systems, treaties, and comparative law for federal agencies and diplomatic missions.
What GS-0095 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0095, as written.
Foreign Law Specialist Series Requirements
Education:
- Professional law degree (J.D., LL.B., or equivalent) from an accredited law school
- Advanced study or degree in foreign law, comparative law, or international law preferred
- Proficiency in one or more foreign languages typically required
OR
Experience:
- Extensive experience practicing or researching foreign law
- Must demonstrate expertise in legal systems of specific countries or regions
Special Requirements:
- Bar membership may be required for some positions
- Foreign language proficiency (reading, writing, and/or speaking) in relevant languages
- Knowledge of comparative legal methodology
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0095
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer
JAG Officers have experience in legal research and advising on international law, making them well-suited for roles involving foreign legal systems.
Skills that carry over: Legal Research, International Law, Legal Writing, Advising, Comparative Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Judge Advocate
Air Force Judge Advocates have experience in legal research and international law, which aligns well with the duties of a Foreign Law Specialist.
Skills that carry over: Legal Research, International Law, Advisory Skills, Legal Writing, Comparative Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Judge Advocate General Corps Officer
Navy JAG Officers are trained in international maritime law and often deal with treaties, providing a strong foundation for foreign law specialist roles.
Skills that carry over: International Law, Legal Research, Advisory Skills, Treaty Analysis, Legal Writing.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Research foreign legal systems
- Analyze international law
- Advise on foreign legal matters
- Translate legal documents
- Support international negotiations
Key competencies
Foreign Legal Systems
Expert knowledge of one or more foreign legal systems.
Legal Research
Skill in researching foreign law using primary and secondary sources.
Language Proficiency
Ability to read and translate foreign legal materials.
Comparative Analysis
Skill in comparing foreign and U.S. legal frameworks.
Legal Writing
Ability to prepare clear legal memoranda and research reports.
Reference Services
Skill in assisting researchers with foreign law inquiries.
Collection Development
Knowledge of acquiring foreign legal materials.
International Law
Understanding of international law and treaties.
Database Searching
Proficiency in using foreign legal databases.
Cultural Knowledge
Understanding of cultural context affecting legal systems.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0095
What is a Foreign Law Specialist?
A GS-0095 Foreign Law Specialist researches, analyzes, and advises on international law, foreign legal systems, and treaties. These legal experts support diplomatic missions, federal agencies, and government decision-makers on matters involving foreign law and international legal frameworks.
How much does a federal Foreign Law Specialist make?
Foreign Law Specialists typically earn between $63,163 (GS-11 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-12/13/14, earning $75,706-$138,296 annually. Senior specialists at GS-15 can exceed $125,000 base pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0095 positions?
GS-0095 positions have a positive education requirement: candidates must have a law degree (J.D., LL.B., or equivalent) plus specialized knowledge of foreign legal systems. Foreign language proficiency and graduate study in international or comparative law are typically required for these specialized positions.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0095?
For Foreign Law Specialist positions, military experience cannot substitute for the required legal education. However, military JAG officers with international law experience have directly applicable credentials. Intelligence or foreign area officers with legal backgrounds may also qualify with appropriate education.
What is the career progression for Foreign Law Specialist?
Foreign Law Specialists typically enter at GS-11/12 and progress to GS-13/14/15. Senior positions include regional legal advisors and policy experts. Opportunities exist at State Department, Library of Congress, DOJ, and agencies with international legal responsibilities.
How do I apply for GS-0095 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Foreign Law' or '0095' series. These specialized positions are limited in number. Your federal resume should detail foreign legal system expertise, language proficiency, international law experience, and relevant publications. Bar admission and foreign credentials are valuable.
Ready to apply for GS-0095?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.