Assistant United States Attorney (Appellate)

A Government Entity

  • Houston, TX
  • 1 Year
  • Full Time
  • 26-SDTX-12846084-AUSA
  • 85,270 - 195,100 / Yearly
  • Not Specified
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Description:

Summary:
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is among the largest and busiest in the nation, spanning 43 counties and 44,000 square miles and representing 8.3 million people from the Houston area to the Mexico border. Employment with the U.S. Attorney's Office is a unique, challenging, and rewarding experience for the highly motivated attorney.

This position is located in Houston, Texas.

Duties:
First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by January 5, 2026, at 11:59pm EST. The applicant list will be reviewed every 30 days.

If you are looking for a rewarding and challenging career in public service, consider applying to be an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Southern District of Texas. As an AUSA, you will join the more than 100,000 dedicated public servants of the Department of Justice and will further the Department's mission of enforcing federal law, defending the interests of the United States, seeking just punishment for the guilty, and ensuring the impartial administration of justice for all Americans. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is at the forefront of national efforts to secure the border, stem narcotics trafficking, and deter and punish violent crime, and, as such, practicing in this district offers a fast-paced, challenging, and varied caseload, with frequent courtroom appearances.

Although the hiring process is rigorous and highly selective, if selected you will find that being an Assistant United States Attorney is more than just a job, you will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce federal criminal and civil laws that protect the life, liberty and the property of your fellow citizens.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is currently seeking to fill Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) positions in the Appellate Division in our Houston, Texas office. The Appellate Division represents the U.S. Attorney's Office in criminal matters in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. As an AUSA in the Appellate Division, you will research, write appellate briefs and post-conviction responses, and present oral arguments on a variety of complex and novel issues involving the constitution, statutory construction, evidentiary and procedural matters, and sentencing issues. You will be assigned cases arising from offenses relating to immigration, national security, and public safety. You will also provide real-time trial assistance to Criminal Division AUSAs.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Please be advised the Southern District of Texas is advertising this position in all AD grades from 21 to 29. The grade is generally determined based on the number of years of professional Attorney experience the applicant possesses. The advertised salary range corresponds to the specified grades.

For more information on the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office, visit:
  • http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html
  • http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
  • You must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • 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.
  • J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
  • Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
  • Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
  • United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • The ideal candidate will possess strong academic credentials, superior legal research and writing skills, quick analytical ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case-related issues, high-volume briefing and appellate courtroom experience, outstanding organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills, the ability to work in a supportive and professional team environment with other AUSAs, support staff, and investigative agencies, and a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service. Successful candidates will be computer proficient, capable of doing their own legal research and writing, and self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings. Relevant favorable experience includes oral advocacy skills.
  • As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
  • This position is located in Houston, TX.
  • You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Education:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

Additional Information:
  • 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 pay for this position (including locality pay) is $85,270 to $195,100.
  • Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.
  • Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
  • This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
  • Travel: 1 to 5 nights per month on average.
  • Type of Position: Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
  • Political Appointees (Current and Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • 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.
  • EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
  • Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How You Will Be Evaluated