Assistant United States Attorney (Civil)

The Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota seeks a civil litigator interested in public service and working in federal court to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA). This position offers variety, as the AUSA will work across numerous types of cases representing the United States of America in affirmative and defensive postures. The ideal candidate will be interested in being a generalist, specializing in federal court litigation on behalf of the government but working across many different kinds of cases.

The types of cases civil AUSAs handle include:

• Constitutional: defend the United States in cases involving constitutional challenges to federal statutes and regulations;
• Medical malpractice: defend government agencies and employees in complex medical malpractice cases;
• Affirmative fraud/environmental/civil rights: bring complex affirmative fraud, environmental, and civil rights cases;
• Immigration: represent the United States in cases involving immigration benefits and immigration enforcement;
• Administrative law: defend challenged decisions made by a wide variety of federal government agencies;
• Employment/tort/habeas: defend the United States in a broad variety of employment discrimination, tort, and prisoner habeas cases;
• Asset forfeiture: bring asset forfeiture cases to obtain assets used in or acquired through illegal activities; and
• Financial: represent the interests of the United States in bankruptcy proceedings, property-related matters, and to return money to crime victims.

Applicants are encouraged to highlight particular areas of interest in their application materials.

AUSAs in the Civil Division are responsible for representing the federal government and its agencies and employees in civil litigation in the district. These AUSAs conduct pre-trial investigations and handle all aspects of civil litigation, including taking and defending depositions, propounding and answering discovery, engaging in motions practice, trying cases, negotiating settlements, and handling appeals. AUSAs work independently and in teams with other AUSAs and federal government agencies. The most qualified applicant will have civil litigation experience.

In all matters, it is our mission to represent the people of the United States in a manner that will instill confidence in the fairness and integrity of our office and the judicial system, and to conduct our work with the highest integrity. We strive to perform our mission in the most efficient and effective manner.

For all Civil Division AUSAs, 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.

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

The ideal candidate will be interested in being a generalist, specializing in federal court litigation on behalf of the government but working across many different kinds of cases.

The following attributes are key to success in this role: dedication to public service, a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence, an ability to work and interest in working across multiple case types, an interest in continuously learning, strong writing and oral advocacy skills, and integrity, discretion, and humility.

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Ideal candidates will have experience involving two or more of the following:

• Experience litigating cases in federal or state courts, with substantial responsibility for all aspects of investigation, discovery, and trial.
• Have exceptional written and oral advocacy skills.

Applicants must also demonstrate the following:

• Desire to work as an AUSA in the District of Minnesota
• Commitment to excellence, strong work ethic, and drive, which may be demonstrated through successful teamwork, leadership, obstacles overcome, and personal, academic, and professional achievement. Quick analytical ability and the facility to articulate the critical issues accurately and precisely in a case. Excellent communication and courtroom skills, as well as the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and partner law enforcement agencies.
• Capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment and be substantially self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings.

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