Appellate Chief

About the Role

The U.S. Attorney's Office represents the Federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the Eastern District of California. This includes all criminal prosecutions for violations of Federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. This position is located in Sacramento, California.

The United States Attorney's Office is seeking an exceptional applicant to serve as Appellate Chief. The Appellate Chief supervises all—and personally handles some—of the Office's criminal and civil matters before the Ninth Circuit. In the criminal realm, these cases involve some of the most challenging issues in criminal law and procedure, including constitutional challenges to criminal convictions, statutory questions of first impression, application of the Sentencing Guidelines, and post-conviction matters. In the civil realm, these cases recently include litigation of rapidly evolving constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues in immigration law.

The Appellate Chief works directly with the U.S. Attorney to develop litigation strategy, consider possible arguments, and hone Office writing and oral advocacy. Although line AUSAs have initial responsibility for drafting briefs and often argue their own appeals, the Appellate Chief and their lean unit edit all briefs and organize and attend moot courts for all oral arguments. In addition, they counsel prosecutors and civil litigators on difficult legal issues, providing crucial input on trial-level procedure and strategy. The Appellate Chief prepares appeal recommendations from adverse decisions in the district court to be submitted to the Appellate Sections of various Divisions of Main Justice. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as training and experience progress.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and personally handle criminal and civil appellate matters before the Ninth Circuit, including constitutional challenges, statutory questions of first impression, and post-conviction issues.
• Develop litigation strategy and refine Office writing and oral advocacy in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney.
• Edit all appellate briefs and organize moot courts for oral arguments.
• Counsel prosecutors and civil litigators on complex legal issues, including trial-level procedure and strategy.
• Prepare appeal recommendations from adverse district court decisions for submission to Main Justice.

Requirements

• Must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax checks, and drug testing.
• Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify registration with the Selective Service System or exemption under Selective Service Law.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof (28 U.S.C. 545).
• J.D. degree (or equivalent) and active membership in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• This is a term Supervisory position not-to-exceed 4 years; all Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney appointments are temporary, at-will positions.
• This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. degree (or equivalent) and at least 2 years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• Active membership in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• United States citizenship.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Federal judicial clerkship experience.
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience litigating criminal cases in federal court, preferably as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA), with experience handling both trials and appeals.
• Appellate or other significant legal writing experience and oral advocacy experience, preferably before a federal court of appeals.
• Past or present Department of Justice experience.
• Demonstrated ability to draft high-quality pleadings and briefs efficiently under time constraints.
• Quick analytical ability and aptitude for accurately articulating critical issues in a case.
• Superior oral argument, writing, research, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong judgment, excellent communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to respond quickly to shifting priorities and work with minimal guidance in a demanding environment.

Pay

Appellate Chief's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The recruiting range of pay for Sacramento is $197,100, which includes 29.76% locality pay.

Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Telework opportunities.
• Life insurance and health benefits.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.