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

Job-title file

General Attorney

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

1,189 employees hold this title in Department of Homeland Security. Median total compensation for the role is $180,359, above the department median of $107,590.

Employees: 1,189
Total payroll: $203.5M
Role median: $180,359
Agency median: $107,590
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$210,807+

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

How total compensation varies among the 1,189 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 Homeland Security pays a median base salary of $180,359 for this role, 13% above that figure — about the 58th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Homeland Security sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Homeland Security median · $180,359

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 Homeland Security’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 1,185 of 1,189 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 Homeland Security is $180,359, 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 Homeland Security, the median of $180,359 ranks #46 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 2

Elise Iannone

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$119,037

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $119,037
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,037
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $119,037
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,327
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Elise Iannone holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $119,037. Their pay grade is 12.

Peterson Espinosa

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$118,579

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $118,579
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,579
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Sacramento
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,579
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,808
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063150067
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Peterson Espinosa works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Sacramento, California. Peterson earned $118,579 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Elizabeth Tonkin

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
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: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Tonkin is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Baltimore, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Joyce Rodriguez-Perez

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Joyce Rodriguez-Perez holds the role of General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,962. Their pay grade is 13.

Corinne Merdegia

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Camp Springs
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: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Corinne Merdegia is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Camp Springs, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Anna Nicholson

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): IC

Anna Nicholson works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Anna earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Ryan Schultheis

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Camp Springs
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: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ryan Schultheis is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Camp Springs, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Maria O'Keefe

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): IC

At Department of Homeland Security, Maria O'Keefe serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Morgan Huff

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: DHS Headquarters
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

Morgan Huff works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Morgan earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Ibrahim Ali

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Camp Springs
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: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ibrahim Ali works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Camp Springs, Maryland. Ibrahim earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Christian Cooper

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fairfax
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510900600
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christian Cooper works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Fairfax, Virginia. Christian earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Sarah Dvorak

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Camp Springs
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: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Sarah Dvorak serves as a General Attorney based in Camp Springs, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Sophia Iwuagwu

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Camp Springs
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: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Homeland Security, Sophia Iwuagwu serves as a General Attorney based in Camp Springs, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Famatta Passawe

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: I
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Famatta Passawe works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Springfield, Virginia. Famatta earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Brandon Schwartz

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: I
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Brandon Schwartz works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Springfield, Virginia. Brandon earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Lee Sutherland

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Transportation Security Administration
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: I
Work city: Springfield
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512305059
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): SV

Lee Sutherland works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Springfield, Virginia. Lee earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Vanessa Antoun

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): IC

Vanessa Antoun works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Vanessa earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Lauren Gillespie

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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 Homeland Security, Lauren Gillespie serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Dillon Lappe

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): IC

Dillon Lappe is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Anjali Patel

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Anjali Patel works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Anjali earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Eliezer Peltz

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Eliezer Peltz works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. Eliezer earned $117,962 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Jaimy Rippe

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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 Homeland Security, Jaimy Rippe serves as a General Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Kemi Sanni

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): IC

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

Deena Tyler

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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): IC

Deena Tyler is a General Attorney at Department of Homeland Security based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Nancy Nguyen

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$117,776

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
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): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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

Wilkes Maysonet

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$116,564

Sub-department: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Base pay: $116,564
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,564
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: De Kalb
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $116,564
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,422
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280089
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): IC

Wilkes Maysonet works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Atlanta, Georgia. Wilkes earned $116,564 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Debra Wang

General Attorney/Department of Homeland Security

2024 total comp

$116,086

Sub-department: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Base pay: $116,086
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,086
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $116,086
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0905
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Debra Wang works as a General Attorney for Department of Homeland Security based in Irving, Texas. Debra earned $116,086 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.