Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

United States Attorneys' Offices; Abingdon (VA); On-site; USD 76,748 - 197,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Health benefits

Job summary

The United States Attorneys' Offices is seeking Assistant United States Attorneys in Virginia to prosecute federal criminal offenses including white collar crime, narcotics trafficking, and public corruption. Candidates must possess a J.D. degree and be active members of the bar. Applicants will handle their own caseloads, interacting closely with investigators and preparing for trials.

Expectations include strong legal writing skills and the ability to manage complex cases. The role offers competitive pay ranging from $76,748 to $197,100 including locality pay, and comes with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree and be an active member of the bar.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• A federal clerkship or experience litigating in federal court is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and prosecute a variety of federal criminal offenses.
• Develop cases with federal agents and prepare for trials.
• Maintain high standards through professional development.

Skills

Legal research and writing skills

Judgment

Ability to handle a caseload

Education

J.D. Degree

Job description

Summary

This is an open-continuous announcement for Assistant United States Attorneys in the Criminal Division of our Roanoke, Charlottesville and Abingdon, VA offices. This announcement will remain open until all available positions are filled. Primary consideration will be given to applicants who apply by July 2, 2026. Additional applicants will be reviewed and referred every two weeks thereafter until the vacancies are filled, but no later than December 31, 2026.

Duties

The mission of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia ("USAO-WDVA") is to enforce our Nation's laws to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, to provide federal leadership in preventing and reducing crime, and to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior. We strive to build a stronger office through in-depth recruitment efforts and maintain our high standards by promoting professional development.

The Western District of Virginia covers approximately 60 percent of Virginia's land area and serves a population of 2.2 million. It comprises 52 counties and 18 independent cities. Currently, over thirty (30) Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) assigned to the Western District prosecute cases and represent the United States in a wide variety of complex civil matters in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Abingdon, Harrisonburg, and Lynchburg.

An appointment as an AUSA offers a unique and challenging experience for a highly motivated attorney: the opportunity to handle their own caseload in which they investigate and prosecute a wide variety of federal criminal offenses including white collar crime, public corruption, organized crime, violent crime, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, child exploitation crimes, and other offenses. An emphasis will be placed on cases involving immigration enforcement, national security and public safety. An AUSA engaged in this challenging work should expect to spend time developing cases with federal agents and investigators, researching and writing, and preparing for trials, sentencings, and other hearings.

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

Security and Residency

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

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

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

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.
• 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, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

A federal clerkship and/or experience litigating in federal court is preferred. Only applicants with strong academic records, superior legal research and writing skills, and sound judgment will be considered. Please note: the Department of Justice generally prohibits its attorneys from engaging in the compensated outside practice of law, with the exception of law professors. Attorneys in this category are employed to teach law and are not otherwise engaged in the compensated outside practice of law.

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

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

Additional 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 basic pay is $76,748 to $197,100, 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.

* * *

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.

Travel

Travel, both inside and outside the District, may be required depending on the needs of a particular case.

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.

EEO and Other

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.

Help

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.