Assistant United States Attorney (Appellate)
About the Role
The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Maryland serves as the chief federal law enforcement office in Maryland and is charged with pursuing justice, ensuring public safety, and protecting the interests of the United States. The USAO is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Appellate Assistant United States Attorney to help discharge this mission by litigating appeals in the Fourth Circuit. This position will be located in either Baltimore, MD or Greenbelt, MD.
Responsibilities
An appointment with the U.S. Attorney's Office offers unique and challenging experiences for the highly motivated attorney. The Office is seeking a candidate interested in working as an Appellate AUSA. Responsibilities will include:
- Working on direct and post-conviction appeals involving the full range of criminal cases that the District prosecutes.
- Drafting briefs and presenting oral arguments on constitutional, statutory, evidentiary, and procedural issues in appeals arising out of the Criminal Division.
- Reviewing briefs drafted by colleagues and participating in moot courts to prepare AUSAs for oral arguments.
- Assisting with complex district court litigation and providing advice to other prosecutors on significant legal issues.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- J.D. Degree and active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
- At least 1 year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
- Superior oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills.
- Exhibit good judgment and function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.
- United States citizenship.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Significant legal writing and oral advocacy, legal practice in federal court (or a federal court clerkship), or practice in criminal matters.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to: be self-reliant and motivated in reviewing and distilling voluminous records involving complex fact patterns; understand and articulate complex legal doctrines; prepare high-quality briefs on strict time deadlines; make persuasive oral arguments; and assist other attorneys in all divisions.
- Prior federal appellate clerkships are preferred.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Cover letters are not required but are appreciated to provide further context of the applicant's work history and desire to join the district.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Pay & Benefits
Salary: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of pay is $87,815 to $197,100 which includes 33.94% locality pay.
Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Schedule & Travel
Travel outside the district may be required but should be minimal. Travel within the district will be required.
Residency & Security 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.
- 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.
- 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.