Assistant United States Attorney (Civil)

The mission of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia (USAO-WDVA) is to enforce our Nations laws to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans to provide federal leadership in preventing and reducing crime and to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior. We strive to build a stronger office through in-depth recruitment efforts and maintain our high standards by promoting professional development.

The Western District of Virginia covers approximately 60 percent of Virginias land area and serves a population of 2.2 million. It comprises 52 counties and 18 independent cities. Currently over thirty (30) Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) assigned to the Western District prosecute cases and represent the United States in a wide variety of complex civil matters in Roanoke Charlottesville Abingdon Harrisonburg and Lynchburg.

An appointment as a Civil AUSA offers a unique and challenging experience for a highly motivated attorney: the opportunity to handle their own caseload in which they represent the United States as either Plaintiff or Defendant depending on the circumstances. On the affirmative side the AUSA will lead investigations and prosecutions of a wide variety of federal civil offenses including but not limited to violations of the False Claims Act. On the defensive side the AUSA will lead a wide variety of challenging litigation that includes among other things representing government agencies and employees under the Federal Tort Claims Act (including primarily medical malpractice automobile accident premises liability and other torts) Title VII the ADEA the Rehabilitation Act (employment discrimination) the Administrative Procedures Act (agency actions and decisions) and other statutes. The AUSA will also represent federal employees sued in their individual capacities under Bivens or other federal statutes and will represent the Bureau of Prisons and its employees in a wide variety of prisoner-related litigation.

An AUSA engaged in this challenging work spends substantial time on legal research and writing dispositive motions as well as substantial time in discovery (interviewing witnesses taking and defending depositions working with expert witnesses propounding and responding to written discovery requests) and representing the United States in mediations and settlement conferences. Although many cases are resolved through dispositive motion or settlement the AUSA will also represent the United States at bench and jury trials in federal court.


Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint credit and tax checks and drug addition continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

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 .

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• 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.
• You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable.
• J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) and have at least 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. Demonstrate superior oral and written communication skills possess strong interpersonal skills exhibit good judgment and demonstrate the capacity to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.

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.


You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.