AUSA - Appellate

United States Department of Justice; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 78,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Justice, Western District of Missouri, seeks an Assistant United States Attorney in Kansas City. You will handle high‑stakes federal cases, work with law enforcement, draft appellate briefs, and argue in hearings, trials, and appeals. Qualified applicants must have a J.D.

degree, be an active member of the bar, and at least one year post‑J.D. experience; U.S. citizenship is required. The position offers challenging, mission‑driven work in a busy federal office with

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• At least 1 year of post‑J.D. legal or related experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Legal writing

Education

J.D. Degree

Job description

Application Deadline:

Tuesday, November 24, 2026

About the Office

If you are seeking a career that is both challenging and meaningful, this position offers an exceptional opportunity. As part of an organization with more than 100,000 dedicated professionals, you will contribute to a mission rooted in upholding the rule of law, protecting civil rights, and ensuring the safety and security of our nation.You will join a committed team responsible for enforcing federal criminal and civil laws that safeguard the life, liberty and the property of all citizens.

The Western District of Missouri encompasses 66 of Missouri’s 114 counties and has a population of approximately 3.25 million people. Included in the district are the metropolitan areas of Kansas City, St. Joseph, Columbia, Jefferson City, Springfield, and Joplin. The district has three offices: Kansas City, Springfield, and Jefferson City.

Job Description

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. This position is located in Kansas City, Missouri, 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."

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. 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.

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

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, significant litigation experience, strong oral advocacy and legal writing skills, and sound judgement. 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.

Application Process

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.

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. 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.

Number of Positions

1+

Travel

Occasional travel may be required.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.