Assistant Attorney; Criminal

Employment with the U.S. Attorney's Office is a unique and challenging experience for the highly motivated attorney. It is an opportunity to litigate a broad range of cases involving significant, complex issues on behalf of the United States in federal. Working in the Criminal Division, you will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal laws that protect life, liberty, and property.

Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member in good standing of the bar (in any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least three (3) years of experience as a licensed attorney (or post-law school graduation judicial clerkships) preparing for, participating in, and/or reviewing formal hearings or trials involving litigation at the federal, state, or local court level.

If you currently represent an opposing party in litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), please refer to Rule 3-310 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct:
If you currently represent an opposing party in litigation with the DOJ or represent a client under investigation by the United States, please refer to Rule 1-7 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct and / or the relevant conflict of interest Rules of Professional Conduct in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed to practice. The U.S. Attorney's Office considers California Rule 1-7 to be implicated when an attorney licensed in California applies for a position with the U.S. Attorney's office while also representing a client in litigation opposing the U.S. or knowingly under investigation by the U.S.

If you are a current employee of the DOJ who is under a term of commitment to another office, please include this information in your cover letter along with a statement of whether you have discussed your application with your current employer.

United States citizenship is required.

• Strong academics
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Superior legal writing and research ability
• Demonstrated analytical ability
• Good judgment and courtroom skills
• A commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information.

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug‑free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non‑citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).

Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare;

such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates who have lived outside the United States for two or more of the past five years will likely have difficulty being approved for appointments by the Department Security Staff.

The two‑year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.