Assistant United States Attorney (Appellate)

United States Attorneys' Offices; Muskogee (OK); On-site; USD 77,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma seeks experienced, motivated attorneys to join the Criminal Division, Appellate team in Muskogee. This permanent, full-time vacancy invites attorneys to litigate appeals and post-conviction matters in federal court and to advise colleagues on complex legal issues. Applicants must have a J.D.

and be an active member of the bar; US citizenship is required. At least 1 year post‑J.D.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• United States citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Join the Appellate team in our Criminal Division.
• Draft appellate briefs and responses to post-conviction motions; argue appeals in the Tenth Circuit.
• Review and edit documents; assist in preparing AUSAs for oral argument; research legal issues.

Skills

Appellate experience

Criminal prosecution experience

Appellate clerkship

Education

J.D. degree

Bar admission

Job description

Summary The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is seeking experienced, motivated attorneys to join our Criminal Division. This announcement is used to fill immediate vacancies with multiple cut‑off dates, and may be used to fill other permanent appointments and vacancies.

Summary The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is seeking experienced, motivated attorneys to join our Criminal Division. This announcement is used to fill immediate vacancies with multiple cut‑off dates, and may be used to fill other permanent appointments and vacancies. This announcement is open thru Wednesday Dec 16, 2026. First cutoff Tuesday Sept 22, 2026 and as needed until positions are filled or cutoff date is met. This position is located in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Duties

Help The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma (USAOKE) is seeking an experienced, motivated, and prosecution‑minded attorney to join the Appellate team in our Criminal Division. This United States Attorney's Office serves as the chief federal law enforcement office in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and is accountable to the citizens of the Eastern District for pursuing justice, ensuring public safety, enforcing the law, protecting the interests of the United States, and exercising stewardship of the government's resources. The Eastern District is comprised of 26 counties in eastern and southern Oklahoma, ranging from southeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma to the Texas border and from the Arkansas border to Carter County on the west. The headquarters of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole) are located in the District. Due to the 2020 Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma and its progeny, the entire Eastern District of Oklahoma is Indian Country and the USAOKE has jurisdiction to prosecute major crimes committed by or against members of a federally recognized Indian tribe. Appellate Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) litigate appeals and post‑conviction matters in all criminal cases prosecuted in the office, including cases involving organized crime and gangs; public corruption; sophisticated white collar crime; violent crime; major drug offenses; child exploitation; criminal immigration offenses; and violent crime occurring within Indian Country. Appellate AUSAs draft appellate briefs and responses to post‑conviction motions, argue appeals in the Tenth Circuit; consult with and advise Criminal Division AUSAs on issues arising in the pretrial and trial phases; review and edit documents drafted by others; assist in preparing other AUSAs for oral argument; research legal issues; and prepare appeal recommendations from adverse district court decisions for review by the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

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.

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.
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• Type of Position: This is a permanent position. All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are subject to a two year probationary period.
• 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, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1* year post‑J.D. legal or other relevant experience.

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have 3 or more years of post‑J.D. experience, including criminal prosecution experience and appellate clerkship, outstanding academic record, and prior AUSA experience are preferred but not required. Candidates should be able to demonstrate proficiency and excellence in drafting briefs, researching and analyzing complex legal issues, and arguing cases in trial and appellate courts. Ideal candidates will also have strong background in issues commonly arising in federal criminal cases and collateral proceedings, to include constitutional challenges arising under the Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Amendments: 28 U.S.C.

• 2255; applicable rules of evidence and criminal procedure; discovery and disclosure doctrine; sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines; and U.S. Supreme Court and Tenth Circuit precedent in these areas. Appellate AUSAs are expected to have superior organizational and public presentation abilities, to be motivated by a strong commitment to public service, and to contribute to the training and professional development of other AUSAs.

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 basic pay is $76,748 to $150,000 which includes 17.06% locality pay.

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 will not be authorized.

• A relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.

Travel

Occasional travel; 1 to 5 nights of travel required per month

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.