Civil Division

The Civil Division represents the United States, its departments and agencies, elected officials, cabinet officers, and federal employees in any civil matter and certain criminal matters arising within the district. The Civil Division’s responsibilities include both defensive (United States as defendant) and affirmative (United States as plaintiff) cases upholding the Constitution and federal laws, representing government officials and employees, defending against challenges to federal programs, and protecting the public fisc (the United States Treasury).

Civil Defensive

The Civil Division defends the United States, its agencies, and officials in a wide range of cases, including the Federal Tort Claims Act, constitutional tort claims, bankruptcy cases in which the federal government is a creditor, state court foreclosures, Indian Country matters, Social Security appeals, third-party subpoenas directed to Federal agencies and employees, suits seeking injunctive relief, review of administrative agency action, and tax litigation. Civil Defensive AUSAs work through complex discovery, jurisdiction, and statutory interpretation issues in each case to achieve a result favorable for the United States.

Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE)

The affirmative practice investigates and prosecutes violations of federal law and brings civil actions to address fraud against the United States. These cases are brought instead of, or in addition to, criminal prosecution and encompass a broad range of enforcement actions pursuant to the False Claims Act and other federal statutes. Civil Affirmative AUSAs work closely with many federal agencies to investigate and litigate procurement fraud, healthcare fraud, and pandemic relief fraud. The Civil Division coordinates its enforcement actions with states’ Attorney Generals and Main Justice components.