Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys/The Office of the U.S. A

$90K — $197K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • J.D. degree and active bar membership required.
  • United States citizenship is required.
  • Minimum of 1 year post-J.D. legal or relevant experience required.
  • Strong academic record preferred.
  • 3+ years post-J.D. litigation experience preferred, encompassing all aspects of discovery and trial.

Responsibilities

  • Investigate and prosecute federal law violations.
  • Represent the United States in criminal and civil litigation.
  • Collaborate with a team to uphold the rule of law.
  • Negotiate effectively with opposing counsel.
  • Prepare and present persuasive cases in court.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including health care and life insurance.
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Eligibility for telework options.
  • Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
  • Access to professional development resources.
Full Job Description
Summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is seeking federal prosecutors to join one of the largest and most prestigious offices in the country to combat gang violence, cartel networks, and high-dollar corporate and government fraud.

As an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), you will be leading investigations and prosecutions of serious federal crimes and holding the most dangerous offenders accountable. This is more than a job - it is a calling.

Duties

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We are hiring for positions across our criminal division: Violent Crimes, Narcotics & Organized Crime, Public Corruption & Civil Rights, Economic Crimes, Healthcare Fraud, and National Security & Cyber Crimes units. Candidates who have federal criminal trial experience may apply to join the white-collar divisions (Economic Crimes, Healthcare Fraud, Public Corruption & Civil Rights), and we are looking for talented and motivated lawyers driven to hunt and prosecute violent offenders, gangs, and cartel members and their associates to join our Violent Crimes or Narcotics & Organized Crime sections.

Our office fosters a collaborative, team-oriented environment. AUSAs typically develop deep experience within a primary unit while also having the opportunity to work on investigations and prosecutions across multiple subject-matter areas, building a broad and impactful practice.

Step into a role where your work directly protects communities and upholds the rule of law. As an AUSA in the Criminal Division, you will:

  • Lead high-impact federal investigations and prosecutions - tackling violent crimes, drug trafficking, fraud, public corruption, and immigration offenses
  • Build cases from the ground up, partnering with federal agents, developing evidence, and shaping investigative and trial strategy
  • Stand in court on behalf of the United States - advocating with clarity, precision, and conviction
  • Negotiate, litigate, and try cases that carry real consequences for public safety and national interests


No two days are the same - With each case, your responsibility expands - and so does your impact.

Positions are available in the following units:

For those with significant federal trial experience and an interest in pursuing white collar criminals motivated by greed and abuse of power:

  • Healthcare Fraud Unit
  • Economic Crimes Unit
  • Public Corruption Unit


For those committed to confronting the most dangerous threats to our communities:

  • Violent Crimes Unit
  • Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit


We are seeking attorneys who bring intensity, sound judgment, and strategic thinking to complex investigations. Successful candidates will manage significant, multi-defendant prosecutions that deliver measurable results for public safety. They will develop and execute sophisticated litigation strategies, present compelling arguments in court, and produce written work that is clear, concise, and analytically rigorous.

This role demands initiative and ownership. AUSAs are empowered to identify emerging threats, open and drive investigations, and work closely with law enforcement and agency partners to pursue the cases that matter most.

If you're ready to take the lead in the courtroom and make a lasting impact, this is where you do it.

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.

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

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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.
  • You must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
  • As needed, additional positions may be filled using this annoucement.
  • You must meet all qualification requirements prior to your official start date.


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 preferences include sharp analytical thinker with strong writing and courtroom skills, a strong academic record, federal clerkship, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service. Candidates for the white-collar sections should have a demonstrated proficiency in white-collar/fraud related cases/investigations or federal criminal trial experience.

The ideal candidate will have three or more years of post-J.D. experience litigating cases with substantial responsibility for all aspects of discovery and trial.

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 total salary range to include the 37.95% Allentown locality pay is $90,444 to $197,100 and the 28.99% Philadelphia locality pay is $90,000 to $197,100.

Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, paid federal 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: 25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

This is an open continuous announcement that is intended to solicit applications to fill immediate and future vacancies. Hiring will occur on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed as vacancies occur and applicants will be notified when they have been referred for further consideration.

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.

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.

Benefits

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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.

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