Closing Date: 21st January, 2026
Description:
Summary:Two Assistant United States Attorney positions will be in the Civil Division ( 1 position for Civil Defensive and 1 position for Affirmative Civil Enforcement), both to be located in the Lexington, Kentucky office.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Duties:
Our mission is to enforce vigorously the federal criminal laws of the United States, to effectively represent the interests of the United States in civil litigation, and to meet fully the public safety needs of the community through an efficient, well-coordinated law enforcement effort.
In all matters, our responsibilities are to promote the fair and impartial administration of justice, adhering to the highest ethical, professional and performance standards; promote effective partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and the community at large in furtherance of law enforcement; protect the rights of citizens, victims of crime and witnesses; enhance community safety by reducing crime and the fear of crime, through outreach and education; and inspire confidence in the criminal justice system..
The USAO for the Eastern District of Kentucky has a staff of approximately 40 attorneys and 38 support personnel. The main office is located in Lexington, with staffed branch offices in Ft. Mitchell and London, Kentucky. Unstaffed offices are located in Ashland, Frankfort, and Pikeville, Kentucky. The United States Attorney's Office seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States.
The United States Attorney's Office is seeking applications for Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) to represent the United States in affirmative and defensive litigation in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Employment with the United States Attorney's Office offers a unique and challenging experience for the highly motivated attorney to work on some of the most significant, complex and visible cases being litigated today. The selected candidates will be fully dedicated to civil cases, participating in either defensive or affirmative litigation.
Defensive litigation handled by civil AUSAs involves representing the United States and its agencies and employees in cases brought against the government in a wide variety of subject matters. The caseload includes statutory and constitutional challenges to government programs and regulations; immigration matters; Federal Tort Claims Act litigation (premises liability, vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, etc.); employment litigation (Title VII, ADEA, Rehabilitation Act, ADA, etc.); Administrative Procedure Act challenges to agency decisions; constitutional challenges to federal statutes; Bivens civil rights suits against federal officers and employees; challenges to land management decisions under a variety of federal statutes; and actions to impose civil fines, to assert asset forfeiture claims, and to protect the United States' interests pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2410.
Civil AUSAs who handle affirmative civil enforcement matters investigate and pursue individuals and entities that violate the False Claims Act by engaging in fraud against the federal government (including health care fraud, financial fraud, and procurement fraud); violate federal laws such as the Controlled Substances Act and civil rights statutes; and damage federal lands or resources. Affirmative civil enforcement AUSAs regularly collaborate with criminal AUSAs in fraud investigations that involve criminal and civil components.
Whether dedicated to defensive or affirmative civil litigation, responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Whether dedicated to defensive or affirmative civil litigation, responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
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.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
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:
Successful candidates should have a strong academic background and the demonstrated ability to produce high quality written work. Successful candidates must work effectively with a team and be able to analyze complex financial transactions. Successful candidates should possess strong oral skills, character, and interpersonal skills, and have demonstrated the capacity to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. Successful candidates must also possess the knowledge and ability to use computers and computer applications in performing day-to-day work requirements, including the knowledge and ability to effectively use automated litigation support to acquire, organize, analyze, and present evidence, create databases and manage documents.
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.
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 overall range of basic pay for the Lexington, KY office is $73,939 to $193,394. which includes17.06% locality pay, in accordance with Department regulations.
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 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.
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.
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In all matters, our responsibilities are to promote the fair and impartial administration of justice, adhering to the highest ethical, professional and performance standards; promote effective partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and the community at large in furtherance of law enforcement; protect the rights of citizens, victims of crime and witnesses; enhance community safety by reducing crime and the fear of crime, through outreach and education; and inspire confidence in the criminal justice system..
The USAO for the Eastern District of Kentucky has a staff of approximately 40 attorneys and 38 support personnel. The main office is located in Lexington, with staffed branch offices in Ft. Mitchell and London, Kentucky. Unstaffed offices are located in Ashland, Frankfort, and Pikeville, Kentucky. The United States Attorney's Office seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States.
The United States Attorney's Office is seeking applications for Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) to represent the United States in affirmative and defensive litigation in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Employment with the United States Attorney's Office offers a unique and challenging experience for the highly motivated attorney to work on some of the most significant, complex and visible cases being litigated today. The selected candidates will be fully dedicated to civil cases, participating in either defensive or affirmative litigation.
Defensive litigation handled by civil AUSAs involves representing the United States and its agencies and employees in cases brought against the government in a wide variety of subject matters. The caseload includes statutory and constitutional challenges to government programs and regulations; immigration matters; Federal Tort Claims Act litigation (premises liability, vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, etc.); employment litigation (Title VII, ADEA, Rehabilitation Act, ADA, etc.); Administrative Procedure Act challenges to agency decisions; constitutional challenges to federal statutes; Bivens civil rights suits against federal officers and employees; challenges to land management decisions under a variety of federal statutes; and actions to impose civil fines, to assert asset forfeiture claims, and to protect the United States' interests pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2410.
Civil AUSAs who handle affirmative civil enforcement matters investigate and pursue individuals and entities that violate the False Claims Act by engaging in fraud against the federal government (including health care fraud, financial fraud, and procurement fraud); violate federal laws such as the Controlled Substances Act and civil rights statutes; and damage federal lands or resources. Affirmative civil enforcement AUSAs regularly collaborate with criminal AUSAs in fraud investigations that involve criminal and civil components.
Whether dedicated to defensive or affirmative civil litigation, responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Whether dedicated to defensive or affirmative civil litigation, responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
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.
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 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Successful candidates should have a strong academic background and the demonstrated ability to produce high quality written work. Successful candidates must work effectively with a team and be able to analyze complex financial transactions. Successful candidates should possess strong oral skills, character, and interpersonal skills, and have demonstrated the capacity to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. Successful candidates must also possess the knowledge and ability to use computers and computer applications in performing day-to-day work requirements, including the knowledge and ability to effectively use automated litigation support to acquire, organize, analyze, and present evidence, create databases and manage documents.
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.
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 overall range of basic pay for the Lexington, KY office is $73,939 to $193,394. which includes17.06% locality pay, in accordance with Department regulations.
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 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.
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.
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