Summary
The Civil Division is the largest litigating component of the Department of Justice, representing the interests of the United States in some of the nation's most significant civil litigation matters. Our teams handle cases involving constitutional law, national security, immigration, government programs, civil fraud, and other matters of critical public importance.
Duties
The Civil Division is seeking talented attorneys to join all of its sections, with opportunities of particular interest in the Federal Programs Branch, the Office of Immigration Litigation, the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch, and the Fraud Section, as well as time-limited appointments in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Program. The Division strongly prefers to hire attorneys for positions in its Washington, D.C., location, as well as in New York City for its International Trade Field Office. However, the Division will consider exceptionally well-qualified candidates for positions outside of Washington, D.C., on a limited basis. In the application questionnaire, applicants may indicate the offices for which they would like to be considered. Federal Programs Branch (FPB): Attorneys in the FPB are at the center of some of the Nation's most consequential and high-profile litigation. Across a broad range of practice areas, Branch attorneys tackle complex legal challenges with significant national impact, managing all phases of district court litigation, including discovery, legal research and analysis, briefing, motion practice, and trials. Attorneys regularly engage with client agencies, DOJ leadership, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders while working independently and as part of teams to defend the interests of the United States. Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation (EAL): The EAL protects the interests of the United States through affirmative litigation and enforcement actions. Attorneys in the Affirmative Litigation Section represent the United States in landmark litigation against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with federal law and policy. The Section challenges unlawful state and local actions, files statements of interest and amicus briefs, and advocates for nationwide compliance with the Constitution and federal law. Civil Fraud Section: The Fraud section investigates and litigates some of the Civil Division's most significant cases and leads the Department's False Claims Act enforcement efforts. The Section handles major and multi-jurisdictional cases involving tens of millions of dollars, complex and novel legal questions, and significant enforcement policy matters. It coordinates civil fraud investigations across the Department, promoting consistency in enforcement policies and legal positions, and providing litigation resources, training, and supplemental staffing to U.S. Attorneys' Offices. The Section also manages agency relationships, leads the Department's health care data analytics program and other data initiatives, and houses the Elder Justice Initiative, which coordinates efforts to combat fraud and abuse involving seniors. Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): The RECA section provides compensation to individuals who developed certain serious illnesses following exposure to radiation from the U.S. nuclear weapons program, as well as to eligible survivors. Reauthorized in 2025, RECA is a unique federal program designed to provide compensation through a non-adversarial process rather than traditional litigation. Attorneys working on RECA matters help implement this important program and determine whether claims satisfy statutory eligibility requirements. Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL): Attorneys in OIL are shaping the future of immigration law through some of the Nation's most consequential immigration litigation, representing the United States before federal district courts and the United States Courts of Appeals nationwide. OIL attorneys handle complex matters involving the immigration and nationality laws, including appellate litigation, detention, removal, constitutional claims, and other significant civil actions. They work closely with federal client agencies, United States Attorneys' Offices, and Department of Justice components on cases with nationwide implications, playing a critical role in advancing immigration law and representing the interests of the United States. While the Civil Division has particular hiring needs in the sections identified above, the Division welcomes applications from talented attorneys interested in serving across its broad range of litigation practices. Well qualified applicants may be considered for opportunities in other sections based on their experience, expertise, and the Division's mission needs. Appellate Staff Aviation, Space, and Admiralty Camp Lejeune Justice Act Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation Corporate Financial Litigation Section Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch Environmental Tort Litigation Federal Tort Claims Act Federal Programs Civil Fraud Section Intellectual Property Section International Trade Field Office National Courts Office of Immigration Litigation Office of Foreign Litigation Radiation Exposure Compensation Program Tax Litigation Branch Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov. OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications and requirements described in this announcement. Candidates will be evaluated on a rolling basis, with the first cutoff date occurring on Wednesday, September 23. Additional cutoff dates will occur approximately every three weeks thereafter, on or about the following dates: October 14; November 4; and November 25, when the announcement is scheduled to close. This announcement may close at any time once selections have been made. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure full consideration. Applications may be reviewed by a selection panel. Appointment Type Appointments to the RECA program will initially be for a period of two years and may be extended in increments of up to two years, generally to align with the end of a fiscal year, provided that funding remains available and the Division determines that an extension is in its best interest. Please note: The Selecting Official may select additional candidates for any office if additional vacancies become available. Application materials may be shared with all Sections in the Division for consideration and potential selection.