Assistant United States Attorney

The United States Department of Justice; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 79,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The District of Hawaii is seeking applications from experienced attorneys for multiple vacancies in the Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys handle a wide variety of complex cases including drug trafficking, money-laundering, white collar crime, organized crime, computer-related crime, violent crime, and appellate litigation.

The attorney must be devoted to justice, excellence and representing the public.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree (or equivalent) and active bar membership by entry on duty date.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Handle a wide variety of complex federal criminal cases in diverse areas.
• Work with federal, state, and local law enforcement and fellow AUSAs as part of a team.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Legal research

Analytical ability

Judgment

Integrity

Time management

Education

J.D. degree (or equivalent)

Tools

Electronic discovery tools

Job description

Application Deadline

Monday, August 30, 2027

About the Office

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii is seeking applications from experienced attorneys for multiple Criminal Assistant U.S. Attorney positions.

We are looking for motivated, result-oriented litigators who want to serve the public, practice in Hawaii, and work on high-stakes criminal prosecutions as part of a close, professional team.

Assistant United States Attorneys in the Criminal Division prosecute a wide range of complex federal cases, including drug trafficking, violent crime, firearms offenses, fraud, public corruption, financial and tax crime, export control violations, child exploitation, civil rights offenses, money laundering, organized crime, terrorism and national security offenses, computer crime, wildlife, and various other federal crimes. Assistant United States Attorneys handle cases at every stage, from investigation and grand jury proceedings through hearings, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction litigation. Day-to-day work includes partnering with law enforcement on investigations, drafting and reviewing legal process, managing discovery, litigating detention and suppression issues, trying cases, briefing and arguing appeals before the Ninth Circuit, and handling restitution and forfeiture matters. Few positions offer the level of experience, responsibility, and opportunity that comes with serving as an Assistant United States Attorney.

The District of Hawaii encompasses a geographical area consisting of eight main islands with a total population of approximately 1.4 million people. There are approximately 27 Assistant United States Attorneys in the district, all of whom work at the federal complex in Honolulu. Honolulu, located on the southeastern shore of Oahu, is the most visited populous city in Hawaii and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities that make Hawaii a wonderful place to live.

The mission of the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii, is to investigate and prosecute federal crimes, to defend the interests of the United States in civil litigation and pursue affirmative civil litigation in a manner that is just and consistent with the priorities established by the Attorney General of the United States.

This announcement will be used to fill multiple Criminal Assistant U.S. Attorney positions in the District of Hawaii. The announcement may close prior to the date in the announcement if all positions are filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by September 30, 2026, 11:59 pm, EST. Applicant lists will, thereafter, be reviewed approximately every 30 days. Recruitment incentives may be available for exceptionally qualified applicants.

Job Description

The District of Hawaii is seeking applications from experienced attorneys for multiple vacancies in the Criminal Division. In the Criminal Division, Assistant United States Attorneys handle a wide variety of complex cases including drug trafficking, money-laundering, white collar crime, organized crime, computer-related crime, violent crime, and appellate litigation.

The attorney must be devoted to justice, excellence and representing the public. The attorney must work well both independently and as part of a team and must be willing to assist other attorneys as needed.

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

Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking a July 2026 bar examination may be considered.
• United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants must possess superior oral and written communication skills, strong legal research and analytical ability, excellent judgment, competence with electronic discovery and modern litigation tools, and impeccable integrity. Applicants must be able to manage demanding workloads and function with minimal guidance when needed. Strong organization and time management skills are essential.

Ideal applicants will have prior federal criminal prosecution experience. Candidates without federal criminal prosecution experience but significant litigation experience and a demonstrated ability to learn quickly and perform at a high level are strongly encouraged to apply.

Assistant United States Attorneys work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as colleagues and support staff, and must work effectively and collegially as part of a team committed to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission.

AUSAs receive training by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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.

The range of basic pay is $79,469 to $197,100 which includes 21.21% locality pay.

Number of Positions

Multiple

Travel

Occasional travel both within and outside the district as necessary

Relocation Expenses

Relocation Expenses will not be authorized