Trial Attorney

Hiring Organization
Criminal Division (CRM)
Hiring Office
Appellate Section
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
25-CRM-APP-011

Location:
Washington, DC 20005 - United States

Application Deadline:
Friday, October 10, 2025
About the Office

Consider joining the DOJ Criminal Division. One of seven litigating Divisions in the Department, the Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes complex criminal matters and assists the 93 United States Attorney Offices in investigations, trials, and appeals. In addition to its direct litigation responsibilities, the Division formulates and implements criminal enforcement policy and provides advice and assistance in sensitive areas of law enforcement; advises the Attorney General, Congress, the Office of Management and Budget and the White House on matters of criminal law; provides legal advice and assistance to federal prosecutors and investigative agencies; and provides leadership for coordinating international as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement matters.

The Appellate Section plays a crucial role in defending the integrity and constitutionality of DOJ's investigations and prosecutions. Appellate Section attorneys write briefs and argue cases in the courts of appeals; prepare draft briefs and certiorari petitions for the Solicitor General (SG); make recommendations to the SG regarding whether further review is warranted when adverse decisions have been rendered; and brief and argue motions in district courts in cases of national importance.

Job Description

As a Trial Attorney in the Appellate Section, the incumbent will:

Handle criminal cases in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, including briefing and oral arguments. Cases include those prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and other litigating sections in the Criminal Division.
Draft briefs in merits cases before the Supreme Court, either as a party or an amicus, for the Solicitor General. This includes attending moot courts and oral arguments with attorneys from the Solicitor General's Office.
Write memoranda recommending whether to seek further review of adverse decisions in criminal cases.
Draft briefs for the Solicitor General in opposition to certiorari petitions in the Supreme Court.
Prepare and argue pleadings in significant district court cases.
Provide advice to Department leadership and U.S. Attorneys' Offices on a variety of complex substantive issues.
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.

Grade Specific Qualifications:
To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have at least one and a half (1.5) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least two and a half (2.5) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
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:
Ability to communicate clearly through well-organized and accurately written documents.
Ability to perform cogent and correct legal analysis on a variety of complex substantive issues.
Ability to provide legal advice to others.
Ability to manage a heavy legal case load.
Ability to argue persuasively in court.
Application Process

The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.

Please submit your application through USAJOBS. The list of required documents can be found in the USAJobs announcement.

1. If you do not already have an account, please create a USAjobs account before applying Create an Account. You will be able to upload your resume and supporting documents and complete your profile prior to applying. Your resume must be no more than two pages. Resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
Once you have an account, apply to the USAjobs vacancy: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/846816900

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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Salary

The salary range for this position is $120,579 – $195,200 per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM’s Web page at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2025/DCB.pdf