Summary
The U.S. Attorney's Office for DC serves as the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to Superior Court prosecute cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides. On the federal side, AUSAs may work in one of multiple divisions, including the Criminal Division that prosecutes federal crimes, the Civil Division that defends the U.S. in Civil Suits, and the Fraud and Asset Recovery Division that seeks to recover money on behalf of the Government.
Duties
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is accepting applications for highly motivated attorneys to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Office's new Fraud and Asset Recovery Division. This division is dedicated exclusively to representing the United States in False Claims Act and other affirmative civil cases in the District of Columbia and in appeals before the D.C. Circuit. These AUSAs will investigate and bring affirmative civil actions on behalf of the United States as a plaintiff. Case assignments will most often involve potential violations of the False Claims Act with respect to health care fraud, government contract or procurement fraud, cybersecurity fraud, and grant fraud. Assigned matters can also involve enforcement of administrative civil penalties, administrative subpoenas, conflict of interest laws, civil rights laws, civil asset forfeiture, or other affirmative civil litigation on behalf of the United States. These AUSAs will work closely with other divisions of DOJ and federal law enforcement agencies and may coordinate with criminal AUSAs and/or state prosecutors. Most False Claims Act cases are brought through qui tam actions, in which AUSAs work with whistleblowers and their counsel from case inception through trial. Job duties include independently overseeing investigations, preparing subpoenas, interviewing witnesses, marshaling evidence, coordinating with law enforcement, negotiating settlements, conducting legal research, drafting legal memoranda, preparing and answering written discovery, taking and defending depositions or examinations, and representing the United States at trial and on appeal. 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. 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.
Education
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
How you will be evaluated
Evaluation Method: This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies. Applicant lists will be pulled on November 1, 2026 and the first of every month until the closing date. Positions are open until filled, but no later than September 30, 2027. Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview. The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete. Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more). Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.