Assistant United States Attorney

About the role

The United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California (USAO) is one of the largest and most impactful in the nation, serving nearly 20 million people in seven counties. The Office enforces the laws and defends the interests of the United States through three primary litigating Divisions: Criminal, National Security, and Civil. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

Responsibilities

• Supervise or handle all of the Office's criminal matters before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals-including some 200 briefs and nearly 100 oral arguments each year.
• Write and argue many of their own appeals, and work closely with the Solicitor General's Office to determine which cases raise significant legal issues that are worthy of government appeal, en banc rehearing, or Supreme Court review.
• Provide a unique opportunity to gain substantial experience before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Work closely with trial attorneys on difficult legal issues, developing significant expertise in criminal procedure and strategy.

Requirements

• United States Citizenship or Nationality
• J.D. Degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction)
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• If not already an active member of the California bar, any applicant hired will be required to take and subsequently pass the California bar exam.
• AUSAs must become active members of the California bar and maintain California bar membership.
• United States citizenship is required.

Benefits

• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Holidays
• Telework
• Life insurance
• Health benefits
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System

Pay

• Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience.
• AD-21: 0-2 years
• AD-23: 3-4 years
• AD-25: 5 years
• AD-26: 6 years
• AD-27: 7 years
• AD-28: 8 years
• AD-29: 9 plus years
• The range of pay is $114,525 to 197,100 for AD 21 through AD 29.

Other Benefits

• Career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.