Trial Attorney

Hiring Organization
Criminal Division (CRM)
Hiring Office
Capital Case Section
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
25-CRM-CCS-013

Location:
Washington, DC - United States

Application Deadline:
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
About the Office

Capital Case Section (CCS) attorneys provide advice and litigation assistance to United States Attorney's Offices prosecuting capital cases, including acting as co-counsel. CCS provides guidance and training on all death penalty matters, from pre-trial through appeal. CCS attorneys also assist the Attorney General's Review Committee on Capital Cases with their recommendations on whether to seek the death penalty in eligible cases, and provide advice to senior DOJ staff on policy matters.

Job Description

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, 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 for the Department's decision whether to authorize a capital prosecution.
Litigates all phases of federal capital cases, including pre-trial litigation, selecting death qualified juries, preparing/presenting penalty phase witnesses and evidence, and post-conviction briefing and hearings.
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 United States Attorneys' Offices, 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 United States Attorneys' Offices 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.
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; and
Experience trying capital cases.
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. Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted.

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.
Once you have an account, apply to the USAjobs vacancy: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/848155600?_gl=1*1l7yrj9*_ga*Mzc4ODExMzYxLjE3NjA1NDE3NzQ.*_ga_5222X8D281*czE3NjA1NDE3ODEkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjA1NDU0MzIkajU1JGwwJGgw

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 $167,603.00 to $195,200.00 per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM’s Web page at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/general-schedule.