Assistant United States Attorney (Defense Litigation)

United States Attorneys' Offices; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The Eastern District of California, Civil Division, Defense Litigation Unit, is seeking Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Sacramento or Fresno. The role involves defending the United States and federal agencies in a broad range of cases and collaborating with colleagues in both offices.

Ideal candidates will have a J.D. degree, be admitted to the bar, and demonstrate strong oral and written communication, research, and interpersonal skills in a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member of the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• Citizenship in the United States is required.
• Ideal candidates have strong oral and writing skills, superior research abilities, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Defend the United States, federal agencies, and employees in diverse lawsuits, including employment discrimination, medical malpractice, and other tort actions.
• Handle Administrative Procedure Act cases and challenges to environmental actions.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Sacramento and Fresno and support staff to manage cases through discovery, trial, and appeals.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Research skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical ability

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

Electronic court filing

Word processing

Email

Internet research

Job description

Summary

The Eastern District of California is seeking attorneys to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Civil Division, Defense Litigation Unit of the Sacramento and Fresno Offices. The selected applicant(s) will be based in our Sacramento or Fresno office and will collaborate with other criminal and civil Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in both Sacramento and Fresno, and will be supported by a staff of paralegals, investigators, auditors, and other professionals. Your application will be considered for the location(s) that you indicate in your preferences.

Duties

The United States Attorney is seeking attorneys to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Defense Litigation Unit. Responsibilities include defending the United States, federal agencies, and federal employees in all manner of lawsuits, including employment-discrimination actions; medical malpractice, personal injury, and other tort actions; Administrative Procedure Act cases; challenges to land management decisions under the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental statutes; Social Security, Medicare, and other federal programs; "Bivens" civil rights actions, among other duties. This may include handling some immigration matters.

The selected applicant(s) will be based in our Sacramento or Fresno office and will collaborate with other criminal and civil Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in both Sacramento and Fresno, and will be supported by a staff of paralegals, investigators, auditors, and other professionals.

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

Additional office location information

Sacramento is located in the heart of California. Sacramento is home to professional ballet and opera theatre companies, providing a wide range of cultural activities and events. Professional sports are represented by the Sacramento Kings, the Sacramento River Cats, and the Sacramento Republic FC. Bound by two rivers and in close proximity to several lakes, water recreation tops the list for outdoor activities such as salmon fishing, river rafting, and boating. Sacramento is located 90 miles northeast of San Francisco and approximately 90 miles west of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountain range, providing numerous recreational opportunities for skiing and boating enthusiasts.

Fresno is one of the fastest growing cities in California, due in part to its central location to major tourist areas in California. Fresno is located in the middle of the fertile San Joaquin Valley, also known as the Central Valley, which is a major supplier of food and agricultural products for the United States and the world. This area also includes national treasures such as Yosemite National Park and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks.

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.
• 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 (or equivalent) and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

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

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Ideal qualifications include at least three to five years of experience litigating cases with substantial responsibility for all aspects of discovery, trial, and appeals. Applicants must demonstrate a quick analytical ability and the facility to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a case. Applicants must demonstrate superior oral and writing skills as well as strong research and interpersonal skills, and good judgment. Applicants must possess excellent communication and courtroom skills and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, paralegals, support staff and client agencies. Applicants must have a demonstrated capacity to function in a highly demanding environment.

Applicants will be expected to do their own legal research and writing and will be substantially self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings. Applicants must also demonstrate excellent computer literacy skills to include experience with automated research on the Internet, electronic court filing, and electronic e-mail and word processing systems.

The ideal candidate will have some experience litigating civil cases in federal court, managing cases, handling written discovery and document production, writing and arguing motions, and examining witnesses in depositions and court proceedings and will demonstrate the ability to handle complex cases from the initial investigative stage through trial.

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

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent).

Salary

• Sacramento: $85,075 to $197,100 which includes 29.76% locality pay.
• Fresno: $77,135.00 to $180,986.00 which includes 17.65% locality pay.

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.

Travel

Travel will occasionally be required.

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.

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.

Benefits Summary

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.