Assistant United States Attorney (Civil)

About the role

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia prosecutes federal criminal offenses and defends the interests of the United States in civil cases. The office seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States.

Responsibilities

• Primary responsibility for litigation before federal bankruptcy courts in the district, representing federal agency creditors in Chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13 proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and in adversary proceedings.
• Representation of federal agency creditors in Chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13 proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and in adversary proceedings.
• Litigation involving representation of federal agency creditors in Chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13 proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and in adversary proceedings.
• Conducting legal research, drafting legal memoranda, preparing and answering discovery, taking and defending depositions or examinations, representing the United States in judicial proceedings.
• Handling all phases of civil litigation and investigations, including legal research, discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, trial, and appeal.
• Writing and speaking clearly and persuasively, analyzing complex legal and factual issues, working effectively both independently and collaboratively, exercising sound judgment, and managing a varied caseload with integrity on behalf of the United States.

Requirements

• Residency Requirement: 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking a July 2026 bar examination may be considered, subject to the foregoing requirements.
• United States citizenship is required.

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.

Pay

• Salary Information: 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 $65,563 to $171,487 plus locality pay where authorized.