What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant U.S. Attorney (Appellate Division) position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Hiring Organization
USAO District of Columbia
Job ID
25-DC-12701500-AUSA
Location:
U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
601 D Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530 - United States
Application Deadline:
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
About the Office
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ranging from misdemeanors to homicides, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. AUSAs assigned to the Appellate Division argue the direct appeals of all criminal convictions in both the local and federal Courts of Appeal. AUSAs assigned to the Special Proceedings Division handle post-trial litigation involving habeas claims, record sealing, and other requests for extraordinary relief in the trial courts. AUSAs assigned to the Civil Division further defend the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia.
Job Description
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is accepting applications for attorneys to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Office's Appellate Division. The Appellate Division has primary responsibility for the direct appeals of criminal convictions in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The position involves significant legal writing responsibilities, including preparation of internal memoranda, briefs for trial courts and the courts of appeals, and other court filings. AUSAs in the Appellate Division are required to participate in moot courts and handle oral arguments before the appellate courts, and may also assist in trial-level litigation in cases of unusual complexity or importance.
AUSAs must possess the qualities necessary to excel in their mission to enforce the laws of the District of Columbia and the United States. These qualities include advocacy and communication skills; superior writing and analytical skills; the ability to manage a high-volume docket; and dedication to duty. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, investigative agencies, witnesses, and crime victims. They must also demonstrate their willingness to meet the high ethical standards expected of prosecutors in their interactions with opposing counsel and the courts.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. The initial appointment is temporary not-to-exceed 14 months from the effective date. The appointment will be converted to a permanent appointment after receiving a favorable adjudication of a full-field background investigation. Failure to obtain a favorable adjudication from the background investigation process could result in your removal from federal service. Once you have been converted to a permanent position, you will be subject to a two-year probationary period. Failure to successfully perform during this probationary period could result in your removal from federal service.
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 having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 3-year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a minimum GPA of 3.0, appellate litigation experience and/or substantive expertise in criminal law. Judicial clerkships, law review, moot court, clinical experience, and experience working cooperatively with a range of people are also preferred.
Application Process
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation through USAJobs:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/832469700
You must submit a cover letter, resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment, writing sample (not more than 25 pages in length), and an unofficial or official law school transcript (please do not submit a restricted pdf document with encryption or password security). You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
If you have any questions, please contact the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia at USADC.Staffers@usdoj.gov
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Salary
Salary Information: This is an excepted service attorney appointment under an Administrative Determined pay scale. (See www.justice.gov/usao/career-center/salary-information/administratively-determined-pay-plan-charts). Assistant United States Attorneys pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number years of professional attorney experience. The salary range will be at the AD-21 to AD 29 range, plus a 33.94% pay. For additional salary information, visit www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-benefits.
USAO District of Columbia
Job ID
25-DC-12701500-AUSA
Location:
U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
601 D Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530 - United States
Application Deadline:
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
About the Office
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ranging from misdemeanors to homicides, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. AUSAs assigned to the Appellate Division argue the direct appeals of all criminal convictions in both the local and federal Courts of Appeal. AUSAs assigned to the Special Proceedings Division handle post-trial litigation involving habeas claims, record sealing, and other requests for extraordinary relief in the trial courts. AUSAs assigned to the Civil Division further defend the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia.
Job Description
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is accepting applications for attorneys to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Office's Appellate Division. The Appellate Division has primary responsibility for the direct appeals of criminal convictions in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The position involves significant legal writing responsibilities, including preparation of internal memoranda, briefs for trial courts and the courts of appeals, and other court filings. AUSAs in the Appellate Division are required to participate in moot courts and handle oral arguments before the appellate courts, and may also assist in trial-level litigation in cases of unusual complexity or importance.
AUSAs must possess the qualities necessary to excel in their mission to enforce the laws of the District of Columbia and the United States. These qualities include advocacy and communication skills; superior writing and analytical skills; the ability to manage a high-volume docket; and dedication to duty. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, investigative agencies, witnesses, and crime victims. They must also demonstrate their willingness to meet the high ethical standards expected of prosecutors in their interactions with opposing counsel and the courts.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. The initial appointment is temporary not-to-exceed 14 months from the effective date. The appointment will be converted to a permanent appointment after receiving a favorable adjudication of a full-field background investigation. Failure to obtain a favorable adjudication from the background investigation process could result in your removal from federal service. Once you have been converted to a permanent position, you will be subject to a two-year probationary period. Failure to successfully perform during this probationary period could result in your removal from federal service.
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 having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 3-year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a minimum GPA of 3.0, appellate litigation experience and/or substantive expertise in criminal law. Judicial clerkships, law review, moot court, clinical experience, and experience working cooperatively with a range of people are also preferred.
Application Process
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation through USAJobs:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/832469700
You must submit a cover letter, resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment, writing sample (not more than 25 pages in length), and an unofficial or official law school transcript (please do not submit a restricted pdf document with encryption or password security). You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
If you have any questions, please contact the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia at USADC.Staffers@usdoj.gov
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Salary
Salary Information: This is an excepted service attorney appointment under an Administrative Determined pay scale. (See www.justice.gov/usao/career-center/salary-information/administratively-determined-pay-plan-charts). Assistant United States Attorneys pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number years of professional attorney experience. The salary range will be at the AD-21 to AD 29 range, plus a 33.94% pay. For additional salary information, visit www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-benefits.
