Assistant Attorney

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Southern District of Florida (SDFL) is seeking experienced attorneys to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in our Criminal, National Security, Civil, Appellate, and Asset Forfeiture Divisions. These positions are in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce, Florida.

When applying, please note in your cover letter which division and office location you are interested in.

The Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes federal crimes impacting the South Florida community, from Key West to Fort Pierce, Florida. It is divided into seven sections:
Narcotics;
Violent Crimes and Special Victims;
Economic Crimes & Cyber Fraud;
Border and Immigration Enforcement;
Public Corruption and Civil Rights;
General Crimes; and Collateral Litigation. Each section is dedicated to prosecuting distinct domestic and international criminal violations impacting both this community and the safety and security of the country as a whole.

The National Security Division oversees all matters involving terrorism, espionage, foreign malign influence, export control, and other prosecutions of national importance. AUSAs applying to this division should have previous prosecutorial experience and the ability to obtain the highest security clearance. The matters handled are among the most significant in the country and have national and international reach. Examples of recent prosecutions include U.S. v.

Routh, where the defendant was convicted of attempting to assassinate President Donald J. Trump, and U.S. v. Rocha, involving the conviction of an individual who acted as an agent of the Cuban government for nearly 40 years.

AUSAs in the Appellate Division represent the USAO in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, preparing briefs and participating in oral arguments before the Court. The Division provides advice and handles all appeals to the Eleventh Circuit from both civil and criminal cases prosecuted by the Office. In addition to defending the criminal convictions and civil judgments obtained by the Office, the Appellate Division also brings affirmative appeals to the Eleventh Circuit from rulings adverse to the United States, after consultation with the Solicitor General's Office and the Criminal or Civil Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

AUSAs enforce criminal and civil asset forfeiture laws to further the mission of the DOJ and Treasury asset forfeiture programs. This includes punishing and deterring criminal activity by depriving criminals of property used in or acquired through illegal activities. Asset Forfeiture AUSAs work with Criminal Division AUSAs on forfeiture-related issues in criminal prosecutions and have overall responsibility for all asset forfeiture matters, including financial investigations, seizures, and final disposition of assets.

They also handle civil forfeiture matters, filing and litigating civil forfeiture cases in the district.

The Civil Division, one of the most prominent and high‑volume federal litigative units in the nation, handles affirmative civil enforcement investigations and cases, civil immigration litigation, civil rights litigation, defensive civil litigation on behalf of the United States, its agencies and employees, bankruptcy litigation, and affirmative civil financial litigation to collect debts owed to the United States as a result of civil and criminal judgments.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable background investigation.

Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which they are appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from registration under the Selective Service Law. See (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable background investigation.
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.