Assistant United States Attorney (Appellate Division)

This position is located in Pittsburgh, PA.

About the role

The United States Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is seeking an Assistant U.S. Attorney for its Appellate Division. The Appellate Division is responsible for representing the United States and its agencies in criminal and civil appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Although the principal responsibilities involve researching, briefing, and arguing federal appeals, the attorney selected for this position will also provide support for district court proceedings, such as legal advice, expertise, and researching and writing of court filings. The Appellate Division also provides training to other members of the Office on emergent trial and appellate issues, assists trial AUSAs with complex issues that may arise, and assists with responding to civil immigration habeas petitions. The District's appellate caseload is heavy; Assistant U.S. Attorneys will be responsible for handling a varied caseload at any given time. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Responsibilities

• Research, brief, and argue federal appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
• Provide legal advice, expertise, and support for district court proceedings, including researching and writing court filings.
• Train other members of the Office on emergent trial and appellate issues.
• Assist trial AUSAs with complex legal issues.
• Respond to civil immigration habeas petitions.
• Handle a varied and heavy caseload.

Requirements

• United States citizenship is required.
• J.D. degree and active membership in the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• At least 1 year of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof (see 28 U.S.C. 545).
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication, including 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 registration with the Selective Service System or be exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. degree.
• Active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• At least 1 year of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding legal ability and high moral character.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills.
• Superior judgment and ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment while balancing a high caseload.
• At least three to six years of post-J.D. litigation experience, including experience handling complex civil matters.
• First-chair federal trial experience.
• Strong academics and outstanding organizational skills.
• Superior legal writing and research ability.
• Demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.
• Quick analytical ability and facility to accurately and precisely articulate critical issues in a case.
• Excellent computer literacy and presentation skills.

Pay

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 $79,350 to $197,100, which includes 21.03% locality pay.

Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

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

Schedule

• Occasional travel, up to 1 to 5 nights per year, may be required.