Assistant United States Attorney (Civil) -TERM

Closing Date: 16th March, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
Please note: This is a term position not-to-exceed March 31, 2028, subject to availability of funds. This position may be extended, or made permanent, without further advertising.

Duties of Civil Assistant United States Attorneys
The attorneys selected to fill these positions will serve in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) working in the Civil Division are responsible for representing the federal government and its agencies in civil ligation in the District of New Mexico. As such, they defend the United States in civil litigation, including in a vast array of cases, such as immigration, administrative, employment, and torts cases, and they provide candid and professional assessments of litigation risks to client agencies. They also bring affirmative civil cases on behalf of the United States to pursue civil penalties and recover wrongfully obtained taxpayer funds. The attorneys selected for the advertised positions will work on a variety of affirmative or civil defensive casework that relates to border and immigration issues.

AUSAs in the Civil Division are expected to manage civil cases at all stages of litigation, including through appeal, and to work independently and make strategic litigation decisions. They routinely take depositions, prepare and answer discovery, negotiate fair and just settlements, engage in motions practice, try cases, draft appellate briefs, and argue cases before United States district and appellate judges. Responsibilities will increase, and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

As public servants, AUSAs must work to earn the trust of, and inspire confidence in, the public we serve. It is our mission to treat everyone with fairness, dignity, and compassion, while providing the highest level of legal service to the American people and being responsible stewards of the taxpayers' dollars. The Civil Division seeks to be a force for that which is right, to uphold the rule of law, and to make fairness, equality, and impartiality the hallmarks of its work.

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

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.

Residency 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.

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.

Qualifications:
Please note: This is a term position not-to-exceed March 31, 2028, subject to availability of funds. This position may be extended, or made permanent, without further advertising.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking qualified, experienced AUSAs to:

• Work on affirmative or civil defensive casework that relates to illegal immigration, illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings, and targeting the Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists
• Partner with federal agencies and law enforcement to manage civil investigations and litigation brought in the federal courts in the District of New Mexico.
• Advise federal agencies on questions of law and Departmental policy.
• Research and draft all legal pleadings and be prepared to try cases in federal court.
• Oversee and coordinate the preparation of litigation assignments for legal support staff.

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:
Hiring preference will be given to applicants with prior trial experience and those who have demonstrated the ability to handle complex cases from the initial investigative stage through trial.

Applicants must demonstrate a quick analytical ability and the facility to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a case.

Applicants must demonstrate superior oral and writing skills, as well as strong research and interpersonal skills, and good judgment.

Applicants must possess excellent communication and courtroom skills and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Salary:
Albuquerque, N.M., Salary is $77,581 to $180,078 which includes a 18.33% locality pay.

Number of Positions
FEW

Travel:

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