Summary
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Assistant United States Attorney's (AUSA) assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute a broad range of U.S. Code violations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Duties
The United States Attorney's Office is recruiting for an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) within the Criminal Division. The AFU utilizes criminal, civil, and administrative tools to punish and deter criminal activity by depriving criminals of property used in or acquired through illegal activities and to recover assets that may be used to compensate victims. The AFU engages in proactive money laundering investigations, assists all Criminal Division sections in financial prosecutions, and manages approximately $13 billion in assets subject to forfeiture. The incumbent will work at the direction of the Asset Forfeiture Coordinator (AFC) and under the supervision of a Criminal Division Deputy Chief. Litigation opportunities include civil, criminal, and administrative areas of law. The caseload involves matters across all Criminal Division sections, whether in partnership with another Criminal Division AUSA or independently. The incumbent will be expected to draft forfeiture pleadings, engage in forfeiture-related discovery and motions practice, and litigate forfeiture claims. The incumbent will also be expected, in consultation with the AFC, to provide guidance and training on forfeiture issues to other AUSAs in the Criminal Division. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Education
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
How you will be evaluated
Evaluation Method: This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies. Applicant lists will be pulled on August 1, 2026 and on the 1st of every month until the closing date. Positions are open until filled, but no later than September 30, 2026. Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview. The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete. Veterans' Preference: 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 indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. 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, http://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 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). Reasonable Accommodations: 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.