Assistant United States Attorney (Appellate)

The United States Department of Justice; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 89,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework

Health benefits

Paid vacation

Job summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is seeking an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Appellate Division in Houston, TX. You will research, write appellate briefs and post-conviction responses, and present oral arguments on a variety of complex and novel issues involving the constitution, statutory construction, and sentencing.

Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar; strong research and writing skills, courtroom

Qualifications

• Active bar membership in any U.S. jurisdiction by the entry on duty date.
• Strong research and writing skills with appellate experience preferred.
• Ability to manage a high-volume briefing and appellate workload.

Responsibilities

• Research, write appellate briefs and post-conviction responses.
• Present oral arguments on a variety of complex issues.
• Provide real-time trial assistance to Criminal Division AUSAs.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Hiring Organization

USAO Southern District of Texas

Hiring Office

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

26-SDTX-13026840-AUSA

Location

Wells Fargo Plaza Building

About the Office

If you are looking for a rewarding and challenging career in public service, consider applying to be an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Southern District of Texas. As an AUSA, you will join the more than 100,000 dedicated public servants of the Department of Justice and will further the Department's mission of enforcing federal law, defending the interests of the United States, seeking just punishment for the guilty, and ensuring the impartial administration of justice for all Americans. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is at the forefront of national efforts to secure the border, stem narcotics trafficking, and deter and punish violent crime, and, as such, practicing in this district offers a fast-paced, challenging, and varied caseload, with frequent courtroom appearances.

Although the hiring process is rigorous and highly selective, if selected you will find that being an Assistant United States Attorney is more than just a job, you will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce federal criminal and civil laws that protect the life, liberty and the property of your fellow citizens.

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visithttp://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is one of the largest and busiest U.S. Attorney's Offices in the nation, spanning 43 counties and 44,000 square miles and representing 10 million people from the Houston area to the Mexico border. Employment with the U.S. Attorney's Office is a unique, challenging, and rewarding experience for highly motivated attorneys.

This position is located in Houston, Texas.

Job Description

First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by September 3, 2026, at 11:59pm EST. The applicant list will be reviewed every 30 days.

The Southern District of Texas (SDTX) sits at the front line of the most consequential legal work in America: securing our border, dismantling narcotics trafficking networks, holding fraudsters who steal from the public accountable, and taking violent criminals off the streets. If you want a legal career that matters-not just a job that pays-this is it.

As an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in SDTX, you won't sit on the sidelines or wait years to cut your teeth leading major cases and investigations. You'll be in courtrooms across one of the busiest, most dynamic districts in the country, carrying a fast-paced, varied caseload from day one. And you'll do it in the furtherance of the Department of Justice's mission to enforce federal law, defend the interests of the United States, and ensure justice is administered impartially for every American.

This work is hard, and the hiring process is rigorous. We're looking for prosecutors-both aspiring and experienced-with sound judgment, grit, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. In return, you'll join a team doing some of the most important public service work in the country: protecting the life, liberty, and property of your fellow citizens.

If that's the kind of challenge you're built for, we want to hear from you.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is currently seeking to fill AUSA positions in the Appellate Division in our Houston, Texas office. The Appellate Division represents the U.S. Attorney's Office in criminal matters in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. As an AUSA in the Appellate Division, you will research, write appellate briefs and post-conviction responses, and present oral arguments on a variety of complex and novel issues involving the constitution, statutory construction, evidentiary and procedural matters, and sentencing issues. You will be assigned cases arising from offenses relating to immigration, national security, and public safety. You will also provide real-time trial assistance to Criminal Division AUSAs.

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

Please note that we are hiring for this position in all grades from AD 21 to AD 29, which are generally calculated based on the number of years of professional work experience as an attorney a candidate has. The advertised salary range corresponds to these grades.

Residency Requirements: 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.

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 (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, subject to the foregoing requirements.

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will possess strong academic credentials, superior legal research and writing skills, quick analytical ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case-related issues, high-volume briefing and appellate courtroom experience, outstanding organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills, the ability to work in a supportive and professional team environment with other AUSAs, support staff, and investigative agencies, and a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service. Successful candidates will be computer proficient, capable of doing their own legal research and writing, and self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings. Relevant favorable experience includes oral advocacy skills.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

This position is located in Houston, TX.

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

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree by Enter on Duty (EOD) date.

Salary Information

Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of pay for this position (including locality pay) is $88,510 to $197,100.

Other Benefits

Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Travel

Travel: 1 to 5 nights per month on average.

Number of Positions

Few

Political Appointees (Current and Former)

Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

EEO Statement/Policy

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.