Assistant United States Attorney (Civil)

Summary

The United States Attorneys Office for the District of Maine is seeking two experienced civil litigators to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in our Civil Division. The District of Maine encompasses the entire state with a population of about 1.3 million. We are recruiting for our Portland office headquarters. Portland is a vibrant livable small city located on gorgeous Casco Bay. For additional information regarding our office please visit Office has two openings for experienced civil litigators to serve as AUSAs in the Civil Division in our Portland office. If interested candidates with significant litigation and leadership experience may also be considered for the position of Chief of the Civil Division. First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by January 14 2026 at 11:59 pm EST. Applicant list will be reviewed every 30 days.

Civil AUSAs litigate on behalf of the government a wide variety of civil cases including immigration-based habeas corpus claims medical malpractice and personal injury employment discrimination constitutional claims against federal officials bankruptcy collection foreclosure health care fraud procurement fraud challenges to federal agency actions and subpoena and summons enforcement litigation. Assigned cases will include matters pending in United States District Court in both Portland and Bangor as well as matters in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Portland and Bangor. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. All initial attorney positions to the Department of Justice are subject to favorable adjudication of background check parameters and certified completion of a probationary/trial period.

Conditions of employment

• Citizenship: You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable.
• Education: J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• 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.
• Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint credit and tax checks and drug testing.
• Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Upon completion of the probationary period written certification is a requirement for continued employment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar (any jurisdiction). Applicants must have a minimum of three years of post-J.D. experience and demonstrated excellence in trial advocacy and legal writing.

Preferred Qualifications:
Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. Our ideal candidate will have:

• At least 5 years of post-J.D. experience;
• At least 3 years of federal civil litigation experience preferably working within a U.S. Attorneys Office Department of Justice ligating component or state attorney generals office;
• Incisive analytical ability and the facility to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a wide variety of civil cases;
• Superior oral and written communication skills and a strong courtroom presence;
• A demonstrated commitment to professionalism ethics civility and public service;
• Impeccable integrity;
• Outstanding organizational time management and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys support staff and client agencies;
• Excellent computer literacy skills and the ability to handle all aspects of electronic discovery and litigation; and
• A strong desire to practice in Maine.