AUSA

United States Attorneys' Offices; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 78,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Attorneys' Offices seeks an Appellate Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Missouri with responsibilities in the Appellate Division in Kansas City. You will research and brief complex issues, present oral arguments, and support trial teams while handling high-stakes federal litigation. The role requires a J.D.

degree, active bar admission, and at least one year post‑J.D. experience, with strong advocacy and writing skills.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar membership in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• At least 1 year post‑J.D. legal or relevant experience.
• Strong oral advocacy and legal writing skills, preferably before a federal court of appeals.

Responsibilities

• Research and write appellate briefs and present oral arguments on complex issues.
• Represent the United States in hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Provide real-time trial assistance and counsel to Criminal Division AUSAs.
• Collaborate with law enforcement to investigate federal crimes.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Legal writing

Litigation experience

Interpersonal skills

Grit

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Summary

The job description of an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Missouri is found in the Preamble of the United States Constitution: "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility…(and) promote the general Welfare." As an Appellate AUSA in the Western District of Missouri, you would accomplish these noble objectives by taking on some of the highest-stakes cases in one of the nation's most productive and busiest U.S. Attorney's Offices.

Duties

The Western District of Missouri is currently accepting applications for one of more Assistant United States Attorneys to be assigned to the Appellate Division in the Kansas City Office. Kansas City, Missouri is also known as the City of Fountains, Heart of America, Paris of the Plains, and BBQ - and Jazz - Capitals of the World. Or, simply, "KCMO." You will never forget the feeling of standing up in federal court for the first time and stating, "My name is _________, and I represent the United States of America." As an Appellate AUSA, you will exercise discretion and responsibility that is unparalleled in any other job a litigator will undertake. AUSAs in the Western District of Missouri are immediately assigned cases and will work with law enforcement agencies to investigate federal crimes, research and brief weighty legal issues, and represent the United States in hearings, trials, and appeals. You will research and write appellate briefs and present oral arguments on a variety of complex and novel issues involving statutory construction, evidentiary and procedural matters, and sentencing and constitutional issues. You will also provide real-time trial assistance and counsel to Criminal Division AUSAs. As an Appellate AUSA, you'll join an elite team of federal prosecutors tackling complex investigations and litigation, defending hard‑fought convictions before the Eighth Circuit, testing the limits of your advocacy, and advancing the Department of Justice's mission to enforce and defend the Rule of Law. You will work in a well‑managed, up‑tempo, and energy‑filled District, surrounded by colleagues dedicated to justice and the Rule of Law. Your responsibilities will increase - and your assignments will become more complex and challenging - as your skills, training, and experience progress. The work is demanding and the stakes are real. But in return, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of consequential matters, expand the limits of your legal skill set, and serve alongside dedicated professionals in a dynamic environment. If you are ready for a legal career defined by mission, impact, and intellectual rigor - not just a job billing hours, measured every 6 minutes - then this is your opportunity to make a difference.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. 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.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

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.

Selecto 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.

You must be a United States Citizen or National.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Hiring for AUSA positions in the Western District of Missouri is highly competitive. We seek a complement of lawyers with a wide range of exceptional skills and experience. Applicants must possess strong academic credentials, strong oral advocacy and legal writing skills - preferably before a federal court of appeals - and sound judgement, with significant litigation experience preferred. But above all, we seek work ethic, interpersonal skills, grit, and a sincere commitment to the mission of doing justice in the Western District of Missouri.

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

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree.

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 $78,000 to $197,100 which includes locality pay.

Other Benefits

The primary benefit we offer is the privilege of doing justice on behalf of the citizens of the 66 counties that comprise the Western District of Missouri. The Department of Justice offers additional comprehensive benefits to include in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; 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

Occasional travel may be required.

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.

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.

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.

EEO Statement

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.

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.

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.