Legal Careers
Assistant United States Trustee
Room 362
Atlanta, GA 30303 - United States
The United States Trustee Program (USTP) is a litigating component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders-debtors, creditors, and the public. The USTP is a national program with twenty-one (21) regions consisting of field offices, and has broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authorities in bankruptcy cases, including chapter 7 and 13 consumer cases, family farmer chapter 12 cases, small business reorganizations, and complex chapter 11 corporate reorganizations. The USTP is the only participant in the bankruptcy process uniquely positioned to address multi-jurisdictional misconduct or other issues of national scope that give rise to systemic fraud and abuse, while also effectively combatting local matters affecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.
We invite you to visit the USTP’s website for more information on the Program and the Region 21 website for information on the Atlanta office. We recommend that you visit the City of Atlanta, GA website for information about Atlanta, GA.
The USTP is seeking experienced attorney applicants for the position of Assistant United States Trustee to lead and manage the Atlanta, GA field office that oversees bankruptcy cases filed in the Northern District of Georgia.
The typical duties of an Assistant United States Trustee include:
• Manage and oversee the administration of the field office, including all bankruptcy cases filed in the judicial district served by the office;
• Advise and partner with the Executive Office and the United States Trustee on policy questions, legal issues of national importance arising in cases, and other significant matters to enhance the Program’s mission locally, and help develop and implement policies and strategies designed to faithfully execute a uniform application of bankruptcy law;
• Supervise and manage a staff of Trial Attorneys, Auditors, Paralegals Specialists, and support staff, including assigning and monitoring work at the office and regional level in accordance with principles of shared staffing and functional consolidation;
• Oversee and assist in difficult, complex, or precedent-setting bankruptcy cases. Assist in developing and implementing civil enforcement and litigation strategies to address fraud and abuse identified in bankruptcy cases;
• Carry a caseload of civil enforcement, chapter 11, and trustee oversight matters;
• Participate or provide oversight in all appellate matters before the Bankruptcy Court Appellate Panel (if applicable), the United States District Court, and the United States Courts of Appeal;
• Appoint and supervise all private trustees who administer bankruptcy cases filed under chapter 7, 13, and 12 of the Bankruptcy Code;
• Provide outreach to other interested constituents and those involved in the bankruptcy systems such as the bankruptcy court, the bar, other federal and state agencies, including public speaking and conducting training, as appropriate;
• Work with the Program’s federal and state law enforcement partners to report criminal activity identified through bankruptcy case oversight; and,
• Work on other national projects and priorities as assigned.
Required
Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic and professional credentials; superior oral and written communication skills; good judgment; and the ability to function with minimal guidance in a demanding legal environment. Further, an applicant must have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school; and have at least five (5) years post-J.D. professional legal or other relevant experience advocating on behalf of clients, interpreting, or applying provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and related laws, rules, and regulations that arise in bankruptcy cases.
Applicants must be an active member of a state bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction). Please note, in select few jurisdictions, federal attorneys are required to be active members of the jurisdiction’s state bar.
Preferred
- Three (3) or more years’ experience in management and personnel supervision;
- A minimum of five (5) years of chapter 11 experience;
- A demonstrated record of analyzing complex legal problems, interpreting statutory provisions, developing litigation strategies, and superior trial practice skills;
- Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to address a broad array of issues arising in a large volume of cases;
- The ability to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a wide variety of cases and projects;
- The ability to set, manage, and balance diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorities;
- Demonstrated initiative and creativity;
- Strong information technology skills, including using data bases and IT systems to manage work;
- Outstanding presentation and public speaking skills;
- Experience working with or for federal agencies; and,
- A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
This is an open-continuous announcement which will be used to fill one (1) position. First round consideration will be given to applications received by February 28, 2026 11:59 p.m. EST. Thereafter, review of applications received from this announcement will be conducted periodically.
This vacancy announcement is open to all U.S. CITIZENS.
To apply, interested candidates must submit ONE (1) PDF document containing the following:
• A cover letter that highlights the applicant’s interest in the position and details how all qualifications are met;
• A current resume (not to exceed TWO (2) pages) that details months and years of education, employment, and earliest bar admission; IMPORTANT: Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer writing sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant’s work and includes legal analysis;
• DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Member 4 copy (if applicable);
• CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable).
Email your PDF application package to ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line AUST-ATLANTA-01-2026.
Evaluation Process
A panel of subject matter experts will review applications to determine how well a candidate meets the minimum position qualifications outlined above. If a candidate is deemed qualified, they will be contacted via email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee and those who fall into the best-qualified category will be considered for the position.
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal Service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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 position is on the Administratively Determined pay scale and the possible current salary range is $125,000 to $197,100 per annum. Years and type of experience will determine the appropriate salary level.
Department Policies
The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and treating employees with fairness, dignity and compassion. We must ensure that no applicant for employment or employee of our Department is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex – including pregnancy – or because of age, physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor and that all have the freedom to compete on a fair and level playing field. To learn more, please view the Department’s full Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
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.