Possibly Stale

Posted: March 16, 2026 (74 days ago)

This job has been posted for over a month. It may already be filled.

Appellate AUSA

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

Department of Justice

Stale

Location

Salary

$90,863 - $197,100

per year

Type

Closes

April 16, 2026More DOJ jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job is for an Assistant United States Attorney focused on handling appeals in federal criminal cases, including arguing in court, managing post-trial motions, and sometimes leading investigations and trials for crimes like drug offenses, fraud, and cybercrimes.

It involves working in a busy office in Wilmington, Delaware, representing the U.S. government in legal matters.

A good fit would be an experienced lawyer with strong writing and analytical skills who thrives in high-pressure environments and has a background in criminal law or federal courts.

Key Requirements

  • J.D. degree from an accredited law school
  • Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction
  • At least 3 years of post-J.D. legal or relevant experience
  • Superior writing, research, and analytical skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work independently in demanding settings like courtrooms
  • Successful background investigation, including fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug checks

Full Job Description

The District of Delaware comprises the entire state of Delaware, which has a population of slightly more than 1 million residents. The State consists of three counties (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex).

Three-fourths of the population resides in New Castle County. The largest metropolitan area is Wilmington (pop. approx. 75,000), in which the U.S. Attorney's Office is located.

The office prosecutes federal crimes and represents the interests of the United States in civil cases. Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D.

Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 3 or more years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Applicants with criminal prosecution experience are preferred. Applicants with prior appellate litigation experience are preferred.

Applicants who have served as a law clerk for a federal Court of Appeals judge are preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate superior writing skills as well as strong research and interpersonal skills and good judgment.

Applicants must demonstrate quick analytical ability and the facility to articulate critical issues accurately and precisely in criminal litigation.

Applicants must possess excellent communication skills and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies.

Applicants must have a demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment - including courtroom and trial settings. Major Duties:

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware is currently seeking highly qualified Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) candidates to serve as an Appellate AUSA in the Office's Criminal Division.

The selected applicant will have the opportunity to perform an important public service by representing the interests of the United States of America in criminal actions brought by the United States.

The selected candidate will be expected to (i) brief and argue criminal appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and (ii) handle post-conviction litigation before the District Court, including responding to Section 2255 motions, compassionate release motions, and other motions seeking sentencing reductions.

The candidate will also be expected to review the written work-product of other AUSAs and work with other AUSAs on their written work-product.

The selected candidate will also be expected to investigate and prosecute their own criminal cases.

Those responsibilities will include representing the United States as primary counsel in grand jury and judicial proceedings, such as hearings, oral arguments, and trials, in United States District Court.

Criminal Division assignments in this District may cover the full range of federal offenses, including narcotics, immigration, violent crime, fraud, and cybercrime.

The dynamic practice in the Office features a challenging mix of cases and represents a great opportunity to participate in all aspects of federal criminal law and practice.

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment 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.

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.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/16/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/17/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-DE-12912487-AUSA