Assistant United States Attorney (Defensive)

The United States Department of Justice; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Justice seeks an Assistant United States Attorney to serve in the Defensive Unit of the Civil Division in New Haven, CT. You will defend federal claims against the United States, including torts, medical malpractice, and employment matters, and may defend individual federal employees in Bivens actions.

The role offers challenging, progressive responsibilities and a strong commitment to public service. Applicants must have a J.D.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active membership in a U.S. bar is required.
• Must meet preemployment and background investigation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Represent and defend the United States in the Civil Division's Defensive Unit.
• Handle tort, medical malpractice, employment discrimination, immigration, and foreclosure matters.
• Progressively handle more complex assignments as training and experience grow.

Skills

Writing skills

Oral communication

Teamwork

Independence

Education

J.D. Degree

Job description

Assistant United States Attorney (Defensive)

Hiring Organization

USAO District of Connecticut

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

26-CT-13059146-AUSA

Location: 157 Church Street

Application Deadline:

Thursday, September 24, 2026

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut prosecutes federal criminal offenses, litigates affirmative civil fraud and enforcement actions, and defends the U.S. Government's interest in civil cases. The District of Connecticut has three offices: New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, and has approximately 70 Assistant United States Attorneys representing the interests of the United States in the District of Connecticut. More information about the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut is available on our website at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut is seeking applications for an Assistant United States Attorney to serve in the Defensive Unit of the office's Civil Division. The Civil Division's Defensive Unit defends claims filed against the United States, including tort, medical malpractice, employment discrimination, immigration, and foreclosures. The Defensive Unit also defends claims brought against individual federal employees (Bivens claims). Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications: Applicants should have excellent writing and oral communication skills, strong character, dedication, work ethic, and the ability to work well with others and independently.

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• United States citizenship is required.
• Proof of active bar membership is required.
• 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.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

- Required, if applicable: To get Veterans' Preference, you must indicate your preference in response to the appropriate question in your assessment questionnaire and you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation. See the "How you will be Evaluated" section for details regarding what is appropriate Veterans' Preference documentation. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals … etc.

Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case‑based basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates who have lived outside the United States for two or more of the past five years will likely have difficulty being approved for appointments by the Department Security Staff. The two-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

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:

• New Haven, CT: $90,444 to $197,100 which includes 37.95% locality pay.
• Bridgeport, CT: $90,444 to $197,100 which includes 37.95% locality pay.
• Hartford, CT: $86,596 to $197,100 which includes 32.08% locality pay.

Number of Positions

1

Travel

Occasional travel within and outside the District will be required

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

This and othervacancy announcements can be found underAttorney Vacancies andVolunteer 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.