Trial Attorney

U.S. Department of Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 169,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Justice's Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section seeks a Trial Attorney in one of its MNF units based in Washington, DC. Applicants should indicate preferred MNF unit in their cover letter.

The incumbent independently investigates and prosecutes criminal offenses, leads complex investigations across districts, and collaborates with law enforcement. A J.D. degree and active bar membership are required; relocation may be considered.

Qualifications

• Must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice in the United States or DC.
• GS-15 requires at least four years post-J.D. legal experience, including specialized experience at GS-14.
• Preferred: experience in complex investigations and litigation; ability to write clear criminal pleadings; strong legal research and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently investigates and prosecutes offenses within MNF's mission.
• Leads complex investigations in districts nationwide.
• Produces discovery, prepares for trial, and tries cases in federal courts.
• Mentors junior attorneys and collaborates with paralegals and staff.
• Advises federal agents and prosecutors on complex legal questions.
• Maintains relationships with law enforcement partners.

Skills

Legal analysis

Pleadings/briefs

Oral briefings

Team leadership

Education

J.D. degree

Bar admission

Job description

Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

26-CRM-MNF-032

Location: Washington, DC - United States

Location: Washington, DC - United States Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

About the Office

The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who conceal profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees who violate money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act, and sanctions laws; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.

Job Description

The incumbent serves as a Trial Attorney in one of the below MNF units. Applicants should identify in their cover letter any preference as to which MNF unit they would prefer to be assigned.

The Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.

The Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit prosecutes sophisticated money laundering schemes involving financial facilitators, gatekeepers, and other individuals and entities laundering criminal proceeds, and litigates complex civil forfeiture cases to recover assets on behalf of victims.

The International Unit investigates and prosecutes cross-border money laundering schemes involving transnational criminal organizations, cartels, foreign official corruption and related money laundering affecting the U.S. financial system and prosecutes criminal cases and civil forfeiture matters to recover the proceeds of those crimes.

As a Trial Attorney, the incumbent:

• Independently investigates and prosecutes criminal offenses within MNFs mission, and pursues related criminal and civil asset forfeitures;
• Leads complex investigations in districts throughout the United States;
• Utilizes sophisticated law enforcement techniques to obtain evidence from various sources and jurisdictions;
• Partners effectively with U.S. Attorney's Offices and law enforcement agencies to advance investigations and prosecutions;
• Recommends charging decisions and proposes dispositions in accordance with Department, Division, and Section policies and practices;
• Produces discovery, prepares for trial, and tries cases in federal courts throughout the United States;
• Briefs supervisors to include unit management, as well as the Section Chief and Principal Deputy Chief, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and the Assistant Attorney General as necessary, on the status of all cases and matters;
• Maintains positive and effective relationships with law enforcement partners; and
• Advises federal agents and prosecutors on complicated questions of law and Department policy;
• Collaborates professionally with paralegals and administrative personnel;
• Mentors and advises more junior attorneys; and
• Participates in outreach and training with law enforcement and prosecution partners throughout the United States and abroad.
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Interested applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred qualifications: include experience in complex investigations and litigation, and the skills and knowledge necessary to bring large, difficult, and complex cases to trial; the ability to write clear and persuasive criminal pleadings at the district court and appellate level; skills in legal research, issue spotting, and legal analysis; attention to detail; ability to conduct concise yet thorough oral briefings; and the ability to exercise sound judgment. In addition, the successful candidate must have strong interpersonal and leadership skills, and the ability to work successfully in a team setting.

In the Bank Integrity Unit: Experience with criminal offenses involving financial institutions and their officers, employees, and agents, including violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, the Money Laundering Control Act, and U.S. sanctions regimes (such as IEEPA and TWEA), and pursuing related asset forfeitures;

In the Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit: Experience with complex money laundering involving third party, professional money laundering organizations, including entities that launder for drug cartels, fraudsters, and human trafficking/human smuggling groups, and with criminal and civil forfeiture actions;

In the International Unit: Experience with complex, sensitive, and high-profile criminal and civil investigations and cases involving international money laundering, transnational criminal organizations, foreign corruption, or sanctions evasion; obtaining foreign based evidence; conducting criminal and civil discovery; and civil forfeiture proceedings.

Number of Positions

Few

Travel

Periodic domestic and international travel is required for cases, training and inter-agency coordination.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses not authorized.

This and othervacancy 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.

The salary range for this position is $169,279 - $197,200 per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM's Web page at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/26Tables/html/DCB.aspx