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Posted: March 23, 2026 (4 days ago)

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Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal & Civil - Rockford)

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

Department of Justice

Fresh

Location

Rockford, Illinois

Salary

$80,994 - $197,100

per year

Type

Closes

May 10, 2026More DOJ jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job is for an Assistant United States Attorney in Rockford, Illinois, where you'll represent the government in both criminal cases like drug trafficking, violent crimes, and fraud, and civil cases mainly involving prisoner lawsuits such as claims of mistreatment or wrongful confinement.

It's a demanding role that splits time between these areas based on office needs, with responsibilities growing as you gain experience.

A good fit would be someone with strong legal skills, a passion for public service, and at least a couple years of hands-on court experience.

Key Requirements

  • J.D. degree from an accredited law school
  • Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction
  • At least 2 years of post-J.D. legal experience
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Excellent academic record
  • Significant litigation experience, including civil law
  • Strong legal writing skills and commitment to public service
  • Residency in the Northern District of Illinois or within 25 miles of Rockford
  • Satisfactory background check, including fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug testing

Full Job Description

This position is to fill one position. However, depending on the need of the office, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D.

degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience. United States citizenship is required.

Preferred qualifications: Excellent academics, significant litigation experience, civil law experience (for our Civil Division), strong legal writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

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

The Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Office is accepting applications for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) openings to serve jointly in our Civil and Criminal Divisions in Rockford, Illinois.

The applicants selected will represent the U.S. Government as an AUSA in a wide range of unique and complex cases. When working on civil matters, AUSAs will focus on handling prisoner litigation.

These cases include tort claims (including medical malpractice claims), various constitutional Bivens claims, Religious Freedom Restoration Act claims, and petitions for writs of habeas corpus challenging the fact or length of confinement.

When working on criminal matters, AUSAs will handle a wide variety of cases, involving violent crimes and firearms offense, drug trafficking crimes, and a variety of fraud, public corruption, and white-collar offenses.

The percentage of time devoted to the civil and criminal dockets is likely to vary over time, and will be driven by mission needs.

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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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/24/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: AUSA-NDIL-26-6