Assistant United States Attorney
Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
Posted: March 5, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
Department of Justice
Location
Salary
$82,459 - $197,100
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Legal jobs →Closes
This job involves representing the U.S.
government in civil court cases, such as defending against lawsuits related to medical malpractice, personal injuries, employment issues, immigration, and individual federal employee actions.
You'll handle everything from initial responses to full trials, working closely with teams and other agencies to protect government interests.
It's a great fit for experienced lawyers who are strong communicators, organized, and committed to public service and ethical practice.
The U.S. Attorney's Office represents the Federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States.
This includes all criminal prosecutions for violations of Federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.
For more information about the District of South Carolina, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc There is one position in Columbia and one position in Columbia or Charleston.
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 years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
United States citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive.
Our ideal candidate will have: Incisive analytical ability and the facility to accurately and precisely articulate critical issues in a wide variety of civil cases; An aptitude for independent legal research and writing, and the ability to prepare correspondence and pleadings with accuracy and minimal supervision Superior speaking skills and a strong courtroom presence, including first-chair jury trials; 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; You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Major Duties:
The United States Attorney's Office is seeking experienced and motivated attorneys to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Civil Division.
AUSAs handle all phases of litigation, including answering complaints, taking and defending depositions, managing discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, selecting and working with experts, writing briefs and other documents, attending court hearings, arguing motions, representing the United States in mediations and settlement negotiations, and conducting trials.
AUSAs communicate regularly with attorneys from other federal agencies, Department of Justice attorneys, opposing counsel, and others.
The positions' primary responsibilities will be the Civil Defense team, including handling medical malpractice and other personal injury torts, employment discrimination, immigration matters, and representing federal employees sued in their individual capacities under Bivens.
Civil Division AUSAs are expected to exercise sound judgment, manage a high-volume caseload efficiently, and work collaboratively as part of a team dedicated to upholding federal law and protecting the interests of the United States.
We contribute to the mission of justice by providing candid and professional assessments of litigation risk and defending against civil litigation to achieve just results.
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 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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