Assistant United States Attorney (Filter and Special Projects)

United States Attorneys' Offices; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio seeks an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division with responsibility for Filter and Special Projects (FSP) matters in the Cleveland office. The AUSA will lead privilege-review procedures, supervise filter teams, and coordinate with federal agencies to protect privileged communications.

The attorney will advise investigators on privilege issues, ensure compliance with policies, and litigate privilege matters in

Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar, and have at least 1 year post-J.D. legal experience.
• Mandatory U.S. citizenship and district residency requirements apply.
• Qualification must be met by the announced closing date.

Responsibilities

• Lead privilege-review processes and supervise filter teams.
• Advise investigative agents and AUSAs on privilege issues and evidence handling.
• Litigate privilege matters in federal court when required.
• Develop district-wide guidance and training on handling potentially privileged materials.
• May handle a limited number of criminal cases in addition to FSP focus.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Public service motivation

Education

J.D. degree

Active bar membership

Tools

Electronic court filing

Microsoft Word

Job description

Summary

The United States Attorney's office serves the 40 northern counties of Ohio. Our office is responsible for enforcing federal criminal law, which includes a wide range of crimes dealing with national security, public corruption, civil rights, drug trafficking and firearms offenses, among others. Our office is actively engaged in the community, ensuring the rights of victims, working with schools, numerous law enforcement agencies to prevent crime and keep Northern Ohio safe.

Duties

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio is seeking a highly skilled and motivated attorney to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division with responsibility for Filter and Special Projects (FSP) matters. This is a unique opportunity to serve in a specialized role at the center of some of the district's most sensitive and complex investigations. The AUSA assigned to Filter and Special Projects (FSP) matters will serve as the district's lead attorney for legal-privilege issues, ensuring that investigative teams meet all ethical and legal obligations when handling materials that may implicate attorney-client or other protected communications. The selected AUSA will manage legal-privilege issues, oversee filter procedures, and litigate privilege-related matters arising from complex financial and government fraud, corporate crime, and national security investigations throughout the district. The FSP function supports the Criminal Division in some of the Office's most complex and high-impact matters. In this role, the AUSA will manage and oversee privilege-review processes, including leading filter teams and coordinating with federal investigative agencies to prevent prosecutors and agents from being exposed to protected communications. The attorney will supervise reviews of potentially privileged materials, ensure compliance with Departmental policies, and implement effective, investigation-specific filter procedures. The AUSA will also advise investigative agents and AUSAs on privilege issues, evidence-handling protocols, and best practices throughout every phase of complex investigations. The position includes litigating privilege matters in federal court as required. The attorney will develop and maintain district-wide programs, guidance, and training to promote consistent and legally sound handling of potentially privileged materials across the Criminal Division. This role contributes directly to the Office's broader enforcement mission by providing specialized expertise on privilege issues arising in significant and sensitive investigations. While FSP responsibilities will constitute the primary focus of the position, the AUSA may also handle a limited number of criminal cases, including violent crime, fraud, firearms offenses, immigration crimes, and narcotics violations. Responsibilities may involve briefing the Court on filter issues and providing advice and support for investigative teams relating to such matters. The selected candidate will be an attorney advisor, who will be fully dedicated to coordinating and engaging in filter reviews. The AUSA will be located in the Cleveland Office of the Northern District of Ohio. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as training and experience progress.

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

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), and have at least 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.


• United States citizenship is required.


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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applicants should have strong academic credentials, superior legal research and writing skills, quick analytical ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case-related issues, courtroom experience, 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.


• Applicants must possess excellent computer skills. Experience with automated research, electronic court filing, and various word-processing systems, including strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, is required.

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 $80,138 to $188,031 which includes 22.23% locality pay.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized if this position is determined to be difficult to fill, if supported by the skills of the selected candidate, and subject to the availability of funds.

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.

Travel

The AUSA may be required to travel throughout the Northern District of Ohio to attend court proceedings, interview witnesses, attend meetings, and to participate in training at the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

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.

Eligibility for 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.