Assistant United States Attorney (Appellate)

U.S. Department of Justice; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 89,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Relocation incentive

Job summary

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston, Texas seeks Assistant United States Attorneys for the Appellate Division. You will research, write appellate briefs and post-conviction responses, and present oral arguments on complex issues before the Fifth Circuit.

Salary ranges AD-21 through AD-29 are $88,510 to $197,100 with locality pay. A $20,000 signing bonus with a 3-year service commitment is offered, with possible relocation‑expense incentives discussed case by case.

Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Research and write appellate briefs and post-conviction responses.
• Present oral arguments on complex issues before the Court of Appeals.
• Provide real-time trial assistance to Criminal Division AUSAs.
• Handle cases involving immigration, national security, and public safety.

Skills

J.D. degree

Active bar member

U.S. citizenship

Legal research

Job description

Hiring Organization

USAO Southern District of Texas

Hiring Office

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

27-SDTX-13082721-AUSA

Location: Wells Fargo Plaza Building

Application Deadline:

Saturday, January 9, 2027

About the Office

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 from 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.

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

Job Description

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.

We are hiring for this position at pay grades AD‑21 through AD‑29 of the Administratively Determined (AD) Pay Plan. These grades generally correspond to an applicant's years of professional attorney experience. For example, AD‑21 typically applies to attorneys with 0-2 years of experience, while AD‑29 applies to attorneys with 9 or more years. The current salary range for AD‑21 through AD‑29 is $88,510 to $197,100, including applicable locality pay.

Candidates selected for an AUSA position under this job posting will receive a $20,000 signing bonus with a 3‑year service commitment. Some candidates may also be eligible for an additional relocation‑expense incentive, which will be discussed on a case‑by‑case basis as applicants navigate through the process.

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

For more information on the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office, visit: http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx

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 an upcoming bar examination may be considered, subject to the foregoing requirements.
• United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials, superior legal research and writing skills, quick analytical ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case‑related issues, high‑volume 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.
• Courtroom experience, including first‑chair jury trials, is preferred.
• 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.

This position is located in Houston, TX.

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

Salary Information

The current salary range for AD‑21 through AD‑29 is $88,510 to $197,100, including applicable locality pay.

Other Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; 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 may be authorized. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.

Candidates selected for an AUSA position under this job posting will receive a $20,000 signing bonus with a 3‑year service commitment. Some candidates may also be eligible for an additional relocation‑expense incentive, which will be discussed on a case‑by‑case basis as applicants navigate through the process.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Travel

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Travel: 1 to 5 nights per month on average and may vary.

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

Political Appointees (Current and 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

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.

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.