Appellate Chief

The United States Attorney's Office is seeking an exceptional applicant to serve as Appellate Chief. The Appellate Chief supervises all - and personally handles some - of the Office's criminal and civil matters before the Ninth Circuit. In the criminal realm, these cases involve some of the most challenging issues in criminal law and procedure, including constitutional challenges to criminal convictions, statutory questions of first impression, application of the Sentencing Guidelines, and post-conviction matters. In the civil realm, these cases recently include litigation of rapidly evolving constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues in immigration law. The Appellate Chief works directly with the U.S. Attorney to develop litigation strategy, consider possible arguments, and hone Office writing and oral advocacy. Although line Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) have initial responsibility for drafting briefs and often argue their own appeals, the Appellate Chief and his or her lean unit edit all briefs and organize and attend moot courts for all oral arguments. In addition, they counsel prosecutors and civil litigators on difficult legal issues, providing crucial input on trial-level procedure and strategy. The Appellate Chief has charge of preparing appeal recommendations from adverse decisions in the district court to be submitted to the Appellate Sections of various Divisions of Main Justice.

This is a Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney position that is not-to-exceed 4 years. However, all Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney appointments are temporary, at-will positions. This position may be extended, or made permanent as an Assistant United States Attorney, without further advertising.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
• J.D. degree (or equivalent) and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• Type of position: This is a term Supervisory position that is not-to-exceed 4 years. However, all Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney appointments are temporary, at-will positions.
• This position may be extended or made permanent as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) without further competition.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent), be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia, and have at least 2 years of post-J.D. experience. Applicants must be active members in good standing of the bar (any jurisdiction). Ideal qualifications include federal judicial clerkship experience, at least 3 to 5 years of experiencing litigating criminal cases in federal court (preferably as an AUSA), with experience handling both trials and appeals. Applicant must have appellate or other significant legal writing experience and oral advocacy experience, preferably before a federal court of appeals.

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:
Past or present Department of Justice experience preferred.

The ideal applicant will be energetic, highly organized, and able to take direction well, as well as have demonstrated the ability to work with minimal guidance in a demanding environment. The applicant must be capable of efficiently drafting high-quality pleadings and briefs under time constraints. The applicant must demonstrate a quick analytical ability and an aptitude for accurately articulating the critical issues in a case. Superior oral argument and writing skills are required, as are strong research and interpersonal skills and good judgment. The ideal applicant should have excellent communication and time-management skills and be able to respond quickly to shifting priorities.

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