U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Commerce / General Attorney

Job-title file

General Attorney

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

1,548 employees hold this title in Department of Commerce. Median total compensation for the role is $173,130, above the department median of $127,707.

Employees: 1,548
Total payroll: $251.2M
Role median: $173,130
Agency median: $127,707
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$72,553$204,000+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 1,548 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

General Attorney pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. Department of Commerce pays a median base salary of $169,429 for this role, 6% above that figure — about the 54th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Commerce sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Commerce median · $169,429

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Commerce’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 1,547 of 1,548 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Commerce is $173,130, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

General Attorney is held in 98 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Commerce, the median of $173,130 ranks #61 of 98.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation

$322,736 · 2

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

$252,927 · 273

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$251,693 · 354

Securities and Exchange Commission

$233,730 · 2,163

Federal Reserve System

$216,602 · 375

National Science Foundation

$203,415 · 32

Presidio Trust

$200,888 · 4

Federal Permitting Improvement Steer

$197,900 · 3

Denali Commission

$191,900 · 1

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

$191,900 · 5

Department of Treasury

$191,900 · 392

Department of State

$191,900 · 325

Median total compensation for the General Attorney role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

General Attorney beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 2 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $178,914 ranks #1 of 2. See General Attorney across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

New York Public Authorities

$124,825 · 8

Median total compensation for comparable General Attorneyroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Elizabeth Anderson

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$118,253

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $291
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,253
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Anderson works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. Elizabeth earned $118,253 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Katherine Welch

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$118,198

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $236
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,198
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Gaithersburg
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240630031
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Welch works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Katherine earned $118,198 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Shatoni Foster

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$118,080

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $118
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,080
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Upper Marlboro
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241620033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shatoni Foster works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Shatoni earned $118,080 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Laurie Morgan

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laurie Morgan holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,962. Their pay grade is 13.

Joshua Gilmer

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joshua Gilmer holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,962. Their pay grade is 13.

Eric Wenz

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Eric Wenz works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. Eric earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Allesandra Tyler

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Allesandra Tyler works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. Allesandra earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Thomas Chapman

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Chapman holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,962. Their pay grade is 13.

Michael Goldstein

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Goldstein works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. Michael earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Sabrina Goreham

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sabrina Goreham holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,962. Their pay grade is 13.

Charlotte Hopkinson

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charlotte Hopkinson works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. Charlotte earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Kirsten Kuitu

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Kirsten Kuitu serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Matthew Obeid

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Matthew Obeid is a General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Katherine Clements

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Katherine Clements serves as a General Attorney based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

John Hare-Grogg

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Nat Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Silver Spring
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241450031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

John Hare-Grogg works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Silver Spring, Maryland. John earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Charles Miller

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,912

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $116,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,402
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,912
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Westbrook
Work county: Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Work state: Connecticut

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $116,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 090822130
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charles Miller holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Westbrook, Connecticut. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,912. Their pay grade is 13.

Jaime Whelan

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,820

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $116,820
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,820
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Peabody
Work county: Essex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $116,820
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 251000009
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jaime Whelan holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Peabody, Massachusetts. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,820. Their pay grade is 13.

Duyen Sherman

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,776

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary
Base pay: $117,776
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,776
Pay grade: 13
Work city: San Diego
Work county: San Diego
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,776
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063260073
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Duyen Sherman holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in San Diego, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,776. Their pay grade is 13.

Audriana Osborne

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$117,759

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $114,031
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,728
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Royal Oak
Work county: Oakland
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,031
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 264340125
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Audriana Osborne works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Royal Oak, Michigan. Audriana earned $117,759 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Brendan Quilici

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$116,788

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $111,234
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,554
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,788
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Battle Ground
Work county: Clark
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,234
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530107011
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brendan Quilici holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Battle Ground, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $116,788. Their pay grade is 13.

Justin Bell

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$116,510

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $116,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,510
Pay grade: 13
Work city: East Hampton
Work county: Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Work state: Connecticut

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $116,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 090220130
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Justin Bell is a General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in East Hampton, Connecticut. 2024 total compensation came to $116,510. They are classified at grade 13.

Jessica Gearhart

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$115,250

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $112,341
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,909
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,250
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Godley
Work county: Johnson
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,341
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482690251
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jessica Gearhart works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Godley, Texas. Jessica earned $115,250 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Jenna Herr

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$114,968

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $109,278
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,690
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,968
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $109,278
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jenna Herr works as a General Attorney for Department of Commerce based in Atlanta, Georgia. Jenna earned $114,968 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Michael Furda

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$114,927

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $113,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,135
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,927
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Hainesport
Work county: Burlington
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,792
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 341290005
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Furda holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Hainesport, New Jersey. In 2024, their total compensation was $114,927. Their pay grade is 13.

Cherise Barandao

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$114,307

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $109,278
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,029
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,307
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Union City
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $109,278
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 135640121
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Commerce, Cherise Barandao serves as a General Attorney based in Union City, Georgia. Their 2024 pay totaled $114,307. They are classified at grade 13.

Kelly Neal

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$113,915

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $112,341
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,574
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,915
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,341
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kelly Neal holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Irving, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $113,915. Their pay grade is 13.

Kristen Wu

General Attorney/Department of Commerce

2024 total comp

$112,856

Sub-department: Patent and Trademark Office
Base pay: $106,215
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,641
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,856
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Austin
Work county: Travis
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $106,215
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480330453
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kristen Wu holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Commerce based in Austin, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,856. Their pay grade is 13.