Trial Attorney

A Government Entity

  • Washington, DC
  • 4 Years
  • Full Time
  • 27-CRM-CCS-004
  • 169,279 - 197,200 / Yearly
  • Not Specified
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Closing Date: 1st December, 2026

Description:

Summary:
Capital Case Section (CCS) attorneys support U.S. Attorneys' Offices in all phases of federal capital prosecutions, including serving as co-counsel, advising on death penalty issues, assisting with Attorney General review submissions, and supporting appeals. CCS aids the Attorney General's Review Committee, provides training and resources to prosecutors, advises DOJ leadership on policy, reviews legislation and related materials, and maintains capital prosecution research and briefing resources.

Open to all US Citizens, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Duties:
The Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice is seeking qualified, experienced trial attorneys in the Capital Case Section (CCS) located in Washington, DC.

As a Trial Attorney for the Criminal Division's Capital Case Section (CCS), the incumbent:
  • Conducts analysis of new cases received from the United States Attorneys' Offices and Department components charging a crime punishable by death. Section attorneys advise the Attorney General's Capital Case Review Committee in its factual and legal evaluation of cases submitted to the Department for review regarding whether the death penalty should be sought in each capital-eligible case.
  • Litigates all phases of federal capital cases, with a particular focus on those aspects unique to capital cases, including pre-trial motions and hearings, capital jury selection, penalty phase evidentiary presentations, and jury instructions.
  • Provides training on the Department's capital case litigation. Section attorneys provide legal, procedural, and policy guidance to United States Attorneys' Offices and Department components handling capital investigations and prosecutions.
  • In collaboration with USAOs, Section attorneys advise in the preparation of legal memoranda, such as proposed legislation, amendments, regulations, testimony, briefing materials, public statements, and correspondence on capital punishment issues.
  • Collects and maintains trial and appellate materials related to federal capital prosecutions. Section attorneys partner with USAOs in the development and management of current information and materials which act as a resources center for capital prosecutors.
  • Assists in the development of Department policies and procedures related to federal capital prosecutions.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to qualify for this position.
  • You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation.
  • All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
  • DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • A two-year trial period may be required.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications: Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in supporting, litigating, and supervising criminal cases in federal or state courts.
  • Experience handling violent crime cases.
  • Experience handling federal criminal prosecutions on behalf of the U. S. Department of Justice.
  • Experience in preparing and submitting cases pursuant to the U.S. Department of Justice's death penalty protocol.
  • Experience trying capital cases.

Education:
  • A J.D., or equivalent, degree.
  • Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than a J.D. may be subject to additional review by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management.

Additional Information:
  • Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement to fill vacancies that occur subsequent to this announcement.
  • The Criminal Division participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
  • 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 on DOJ's EEO policy can be found on our website.
  • It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys' Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. Citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. Citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • 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.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please reach out to criminal.crmjobs@usdoj.gov or (202) 514-0361 for alternative application procedures.
  • Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Human Resources team at CRM.RA@usdoj.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Fair Chance to Compete: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to criminal.crmjobs@usdoj.gov. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.
  • Expand 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:
How you will be evaluated