Assistant United States Attorney - Civil

Summary

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is among the largest and busiest in the nation, spanning 43 counties and 44,000 square miles and representing 10 million people from the Houston area to the Mexico border. Employment with the U.S. Attorney's Office is a unique, challenging, and rewarding experience for highly motivated attorneys. This position is located in Houston, TX.

Duties

• First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by August 31, 2026, at 11:59pm EST. Applicant list will be reviewed every 30 days. The Southern District of Texas (SDTX) sits at the front line of the most consequential legal work in America: securing our border, dismantling narcotics trafficking networks, holding fraudsters who steal from the public accountable, and taking violent criminals off the streets. If you want a legal career that matters-not just a job that pays-this is it. As an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in SDTX, you won't sit on the sidelines or wait years to cut your teeth leading major cases and investigations. You'll be in courtrooms across one of the busiest, most dynamic districts in the country, carrying a fast-paced, varied caseload from day one. And you'll do it in the furtherance of the Department of Justice's mission to enforce federal law, defend the interests of the United States, and ensure justice is administered impartially for every American. This work is hard, and the hiring process is rigorous. We're looking for prosecutors-both aspiring and experienced-with sound judgment, grit, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. In return, you'll join a team doing some of the most important public service work in the country: protecting the life, liberty, and property of your fellow citizens. If that's the kind of challenge you're built for, we want to hear from you. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas seeks an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Houston office. The incumbent will serve as an Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the Civil Division. The ideal candidate will have at least three (3) years of civil litigation experience in bankruptcy. Other desirable casework includes employment litigation, torts, and immigration. Additional preferred qualifications are first-chair federal trial experience, strong academics, outstanding organizational skills, superior legal writing and research ability, and exceptional computer literacy skills (internet research, electronic court filing, email and word processing systems). Ideal candidates will also possess demonstrated analytical ability, good judgment and courtroom skills, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service. Texas Bar membership is preferred, but not required. Spanish language proficiency is helpful, but not required. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Based in Houston, TX, the selected individual will manage bankruptcy-related cases within the Civil Division. For more information on the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office, visit: http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx Please be advised the Southern District of Texas is advertising this position in all AD grades from 21 to 29. The grade is generally determined based on the number of years of professional Attorney experience the applicant possesses. The advertised salary range corresponds to the specified grades. Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information. 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking a July 2026 bar examination may be considered, subject to the foregoing requirements. United States citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Active Texas bar membership is preferred. Familiarity and experience with civil litigation experience in bankruptcy. Other desirable casework includes employment litigation, torts, and immigration. Additional preferred qualifications are first-chair federal trial experience, strong academics, outstanding organizational skills, superior legal writing and research ability, and exceptional computer literacy skills (internet research, electronic court filing, email and word processing systems). Ideal candidates will also possess demonstrated analytical ability, good judgment and courtroom skills, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service. Texas Bar membership is preferred, but not required. Spanish language proficiency is helpful, but not required. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree by Enter on Duty (EOD) date.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2026 to receive consideration. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.) 3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. However, should you not be able to apply online, please contact Southern District of Texas at 713-567-9729 or email at [email protected], prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying. The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is Southern District of Texas who can be reached at 713-567-9729 or [email protected]