Assistant United States Attorney USAO Northern District of California

The Northern District of California is one of the largest U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the country with 138 attorneys located in the three-staffed offices: San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. The Northern District of California stretches from Del Norte County in the north to Monterey County in the south. The District contains three major metropolitan areas in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose; an expanse of suburban and rural area; and more than 300 public companies centered on Silicon Valley. Nearly 9 million people live, work, and raise their families in the Northern District of California.

In an effort to help protect these individuals, the United States Attorney’s Office prosecutes violations of federal law and represents the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District. The attorneys who work in the office prosecute federal criminal and civil violations on behalf of the United States, defend the United States in civil lawsuits, and litigate actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Asset Forfeiture Section of the Criminal Division, attorneys will be responsible for prosecuting federal crimes, including offenses involving cybercrime; complex fraud and/or corruption in government, health care, banking, securities, corporate activities, federal procurement, drug trafficking and smuggling; elder abuse; national security and border security; and money laundering. They will also work with law enforcement agencies to investigate such crimes, research and brief legal issues, and represent the United States in hearings, trials, and appeals.

Day-to-day responsibilities include working with law enforcement agencies and others to investigate allegations of criminal conduct, coordinating with other sections in the Criminal Division, researching legal issues, drafting motions or motion responses, drafting search warrants, appearing before grand juries and in Court, and other litigation related duties.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as an attorney’s training and experience progress.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. 

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member in good standing of the bar (in any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least three (3) years of experience as a licensed attorney (or post-law school graduation judicial clerkships) preparing for, participating in, and/or reviewing formal hearings or trials involving litigation at the federal, state, or local court level.

If you currently represent an opposing party in litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), please refer to Rule 3-310 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct: If you currently represent an opposing party in litigation with the DOJ or represent a client under investigation by the United States, please refer to Rule 1-7 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct and / or the relevant conflict of interest Rules of Professional Conduct in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed to practice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office considers California Rule 1-7 to be implicated when an attorney licensed in California applies for a position with the U.S. Attorney’s office while also representing a client in litigation opposing the U.S. or knowingly under investigation by the U.S.

If you are a current employee of the DOJ who is under a term of commitment to another office, please include this information in your cover letter along with a statement of whether you have discussed your application with your current employer.

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Hiring preferences include strong academics, outstanding organizational skills, superior legal writing and research ability, demonstrated analytical ability, good judgment and courtroom skills, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service.

Security Requirements: 

Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the submission date of your application.

Assistant United States Attorney’s pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $84,731 to $172,400 which includes 41.44% locality pay.

The position is based in San Francisco. Travel will occasionally be required.

Please use this direct link to apply - https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/605423700

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (at the end of each week).

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

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