Assistant United States Attorney - Appellate

U.S. Department of Justice; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a prominent federal office as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in Houston. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in complex legal issues, from immigration to national security, while contributing to the fair administration of justice. As an AUSA, you will be involved in a challenging and rewarding caseload, with opportunities for professional growth and development. If you are passionate about public service and eager to make a difference, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D. Degree and be an active member of the bar.
• 1+ years of relevant legal experience required.

Responsibilities

• Research and write appellate briefs and present oral arguments.
• Provide real-time trial assistance to Criminal Division AUSAs.

Skills

Legal Research

Legal Writing

Oral Advocacy

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

J.D. Degree

Job description

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is among the largest and busiest in the nation, spanning 43 counties and 44,000 square miles and representing 8.3 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 the highly motivated attorney.

This position is located in Houston, TX.
Duties

First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by May 07, 2025, at 11:59pm EST. Applicant list will be reviewed every 30 days.

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.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is currently seeking to fill Assistant United States Attorney (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.

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

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• 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.
• J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1* year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience.

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.

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

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

All initial attorney positions to the Department of Justice are made on a 14-month (temporary) basis.

This position is located in Houston, TX.