Assistant United States Attorney

Closing Date: 21st January, 2026

Description:

Summary:
"I am here on behalf of the United States." As an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Western District of Michigan, you will have the privilege to speak these words in federal court as you do the important work of representing the people you serve and the Constitution you will be sworn to protect and defend. Many have said that being an AUSA is the best job you can do with a law degree.

This position is located in Grand Rapids, MI.

Duties:
This is a full-time, permanent criminal division AUSA position located in Grand Rapids, MI.

We, as federal prosecutors, work to identify, investigate, and prosecute cases, in which, as observed decades ago, "the offense is the most flagrant, the public harm the greatest, and the proof the most certain." In doing so, we maximize our impact on public safety and the rule of law.

As an AUSA, you will be part of the backbone of the Department of Justice, indispensable in carrying out our mission to uphold the law, and keep our country and community safe. AUSAs are entrusted with significant autonomy to use their judgment and professional skill to pursue justice and do the right thing under the law and Department policies.

Criminal Division AUSAs lead the investigation, prosecution, and appeals of a wide variety of important and often complex subject matters, including:

• National Security
• Economic and Cyber Crime
• Domestic Terrorism
• Public Corruption and Health Care Fraud
• Violent and Firearms Offenses
• Drug Trafficking
• Human Exploitation

AUSAs routinely lead cases from initial intake and grand jury investigation, through indictment, pretrial litigation, trial, and appeals. We work closely with federal, state, and local investigative agencies to help disrupt the most serious criminal threats facing our communities. And we advocate extensively, in writing and on our feet, before our U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

As an AUSA in the Western District of Michigan, you will become part of an outstanding team of attorneys and support professionals dedicated to working together in pursuit of our vital mission. We tailor our training, mentorship, and development programs to fit the needs of each attorney as they join our office.

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

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html

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.

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.
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• 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 3 year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:
Applicant must have superior oral and written advocacy skills; strong interpersonal skills; good judgment; and the capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment.

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 basic pay is $79,440.00 to $173,485.00 which includes 17.06% locality pay.

Other 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. 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 (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorneys-vacancies) and Volunteer Legal Internships (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/volunteer-internship-opportunities). 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: Occasional Travel

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): Political Appointees (Current or 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.

EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Additional Information:
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.

Benefits: