Legal Careers
Uncompensated Special Assistant United States Attorney (Civil) 25-UT-02
Salt Lake City, UT 84111 - United States
The United States Attorney for the District of Utah is responsible for prosecuting all federal crimes committed within the district, including acts of terrorism, white-collar crime, organized crime, criminal gang activities, internet-related crimes, drug offenses and other criminal acts. The Office also defends the United States, its agencies, officers, and employees in civil actions; enforces the regulatory authority of federal agencies, and recovers funds from individuals who violate criminal, civil and regulatory laws. The Office is divided into two divisions: the Criminal Division and Civil Division.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking an experienced attorney to fill an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) position in the Civil Division of its Salt Lake City, office. AUSAs in the Civil Division are responsible for representing the federal government, its agencies, and employees in Civil litigation, including appeals. Civil AUSAs are expected to work independently and manage civil cases at all stages of litigation, including appeals. Civil AUSAs make all strategic litigation decisions for their cases, take depositions, prepare and answer discovery, negotiate settlements, engage in motions practice, and try cases.
Applicants must have a J.D. degree, must be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 5 years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. *Note: The required number of years of experience can be increased. However, all applicants must have at least 7 years of post-J.D. experience, except for uncompensated Special Attorneys, where the 1-year requirement does not apply. Ideal qualifications include at least 7 or more years of post J.D. litigation experience. The attorney selected to fill the vacant position must also be willing to become an active member of the Utah State Bar and the bar of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah within twelve months of appointment.
Applicants must demonstrate a quick analytical ability and the facility to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a case. Applicants must demonstrate superior oral and writing skills as well as strong research and interpersonal skills, and good judgment. Applicants must possess excellent communication and courtroom 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 demonstrative capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment.
Please submit resume and cover letter (referencing Vacancy No. 25-UT-02) via email to Mardi Al-samarai@usdoj.gov (preferred method). Alternate option would be to mail to the United States Attorney’s Office, Attn: Mardi AlSamarai, 111 South Main Street #1800, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-2176. No telephone calls please.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
This Special Assistant United States Attorney position is uncompensated.
Department Policies
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.