Skip to content

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys · Oakland, CA · posted Nov 5, 2026

Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

$97K to $197K a year

Apply on Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys's site ↗

See how well your resume fits this kind of role

Upload once for an instant match analysis. Free, about a minute. Full matches on screen before any signup.

Check my resume

The role

Employment with the U.S. Attorney's Office is a unique and challenging experience for the highly motivated attorney. It is an opportunity to litigate a broad range of cases involving significant, complex issues on behalf of the United States in federal. Working in the Criminal Division, you will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal laws that protect life, liberty, and property. This position is located in San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose, California.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division, attorneys will be responsible for prosecuting federal crimes, including offenses involving drug trafficking and smuggling; child exploitation; gang activity and violence; illegal immigration; national security and border security; elder abuse; cybercrime; theft of intellectual property; and financial crimes, complex fraud and/or corruption in government, health care, banking, securities, corporate activities, federal procurement, bankruptcies, and federal taxation.

They will also work with law enforcement agencies to investigate such crimes, research and brief legal issues, and represent the United States in hearings, trials, and appeals. Day-to-day responsibilities include working with law enforcement agencies and others to investigate allegations of criminal conduct, researching legal issues, drafting motions or motion responses, drafting search warrants, appearing before grand juries and in Court, and other litigation related duties.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, so kindly submit your materials as soon as possible. Please state your preferred office location(s) in your cover letter. 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.

Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction). If you currently represent an opposing party in litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ"), please refer to Rule 3-310 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct: If you currently represent an opposing party in litigation with the DOJ or represent a client under investigation by the United States, please refer to Rule 1-7 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct and / or the relevant conflict of interest Rules of Professional Conduct in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed to practice.

The U.S. Attorney's Office considers California Rule 1-7 to be implicated when an attorney licensed in California applies for a position with the U.S. Attorney's office while also representing a client in litigation opposing the U.S. or knowingly under investigation by the U.S. If you are a current employee of the DOJ who is under a term of commitment to another office, please include this information in your cover letter along with a statement of whether you have discussed your application with your current employer.

United States citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Hiring preferences include strong academics, outstanding organizational skills, superior legal writing and research ability, demonstrated analytical ability, good judgment and courtroom skills, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

How to find jobs that match your skills

From Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys's own posting, as listed in Seeker's index. Seeker is not the employer and doesn't take applications; the apply link opens the employer's site.