Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) -Criminal

U.S. Department of Justice; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama, seeks an experienced attorney for a Criminal Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in Birmingham. The role involves prosecuting federal crimes, coordinating with federal agencies, and handling a heavy caseload in a supportive team environment. The position requires a J.D.

degree and active bar membership. Citizenship, district residency, and a willingness to relocate to the Northern District of Alabama are preferred.

Qualifications

• Required qualifications: J.D. degree and active bar admission by duty date.
• Preferred qualifications: strong academic credentials and legal research/writing ability.
• Experience in federal court or trial work is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute federal criminal cases in a fast-paced, aggressive team.
• Coordinate with federal law enforcement on investigations.
• Manage a high-volume caseload and handle courtroom proceedings.

Skills

Legal research

Writing skills

Trial experience

Public service

Interpersonal skills

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) -Criminal

Hiring Organization: USAO Northern District of Alabama

Attorney Appointment Type: Attorney Permanent

Location: 1801 4th Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203 - United States

Application Deadline: Sunday, November 15, 2026

About the Office

The United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as a Criminal Assistant United States Attorney. The Northern District of Alabama encompasses the northern half of Alabama with offices in Birmingham and Huntsville, trying cases in both cities, Tuscaloosa, and Anniston.

This position is located in Birmingham, a vibrantly growing metro area with plenty of options for dining, schools, and recreation.

Job Description

The Northern District of Alabama is currently seeking an experienced attorney for an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) opening in our Criminal Division at our branch office in Birmingham, Alabama. Our Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes federal cases arising from a wide array of criminal activity. The AUSA will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal laws. Assistant United States Attorneys in the Criminal Division are responsible for the prosecution of all types of crimes under federal law.

This position is a general criminal litigation position with responsibility for coordinating with federal law enforcement agencies on federal criminal investigations and handling a heavy caseload involving a wide variety of federal criminal offenses involving mostly violent crime, child exploitation, firearms, narcotics, immigration, and white-collar crime. This incumbent for this position is someone who is routinely preparing and trying a high volume of cases, while exercising a degree of professional autonomy and responsibility.

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

Conditions of Employment

• 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.
• 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.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications

Successful applicants will be able to work equally well individually and in a team setting and will possess the judgment, skill, and fearlessness necessary to succeed as part of a fast-paced and aggressive prosecution team. The ideal candidate will be someone with a desire for public service and either living in or willing to relocate to the Northern District of Alabama.

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: strong academic credentials superior legal research and writing skills quick analytical ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case-related issues trial experience or experience litigating cases in federal court good interpersonal skills the ability to work in a supportive and professional team environment with client agencies, support staff, and other attorneys and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

• strong academic credentials
• superior legal research and writing skills
• quick analytical ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case-related issues
• trial experience or experience litigating cases in federal court
• good interpersonal skills
• the ability to work in a supportive and professional team environment with client agencies, support staff, and other attorneys
• and a demonstrated commitment to public service

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 $77,521 to $197,100 which includes 18.24% locality pay.

Number of Positions

1

Travel

Travel: 1 to 5 nights of travel required per month

This and othervacancy 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.