Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal-Asset Recovery)

U.S. Department of Justice; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas seeks motivated candidates for the role of Assistant United States Attorney in Houston. This position offers a rewarding career within the DOJ, focusing on enforcing federal law across a wide range of criminal activities while providing crucial support in pivotal legal cases.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• 1 year post-J.D. legal or relevant experience required.

Responsibilities

• Pursue criminal and civil forfeiture of ill-gotten gains.
• Handle matters involving various federal crimes.
• Engage in high-volume courtroom appearances.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical ability

Communication

Teamwork

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, Texas.

Duties

First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by June 30, 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 for the Southern District of Texas is currently seeking to fill Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) positions in the Criminal Division - Asset Recovery Unit. As an AUSA in the Asset Recovery Unit you will pursue criminal and civil forfeiture of ill-gotten gains derived from federal crimes including money laundering, organized crime, drug trafficking, fraud, corruption, immigration violations, import/export violations, and child exploitation in order to deter crime and dismantle sophisticated criminal enterprises. Asset Recovery Unit AUSAs also work to pursue collection of criminal restitution debts owed to victims of federal crimes and civil debts owed to the United States. Asset Recovery Unit AUSAs will generally have opportunities to handle matters involving nearly all practice areas within the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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.
• 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 Term position not-to-exceed March 31, 2028. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition.
• 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: 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. Relevant favorable experience includes investigating and prosecuting or defending criminal offenses. Expertise in grand jury practice is also desirable, as is experience with investigative and prosecution techniques.

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, Texas