Trial Attorney

About the role

This posting is for Trial Attorney positions within the Fraud Division's Appellate Section. This announcement will be open until positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on or before June 22, 2026.

Vacancy locations can be found within the link below. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the links below: Trial Attorney (Appellate Counsel)

What you will do

• About the Office The Department of Justice's National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division") investigates and prosecutes those who commit fraud against the American people.
• We fulfill our mission by using advanced data-driven investigative techniques; coordinating with agencies responsible for administering taxpayer-funded programs; partnering with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement on fraud-fighting efforts; developing systems and processes that ensure efficient identification and investigation of fraud; and equipping prosecutors and law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to bring criminal actors to justice.
• The Fraud Division works every day to protect the financial integrity of the United States of America, ensure the vibrancy of the American economy, and seek justice for victims of fraud.
• Job Description The National Fraud Enforcement Division, U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking qualified, experienced attorneys for permanent Appellate Counsel positions in the Division's Appellate Section.
• The Fraud Division's Appellate Section represents the United States in the federal courts of appeals on all Fraud Division matters.
• The experienced attorneys assigned to the Appellate Section participate in every aspect of the appellate litigation process, including preparing briefs and arguing cases in the courts of appeals.
• In addition, attorneys in the Appellate Section prepare recommendations to the Solicitor General regarding whether to seek further review of decisions adverse to the government and work closely with the Office of the Solicitor General to draft certiorari petitions, briefs in opposition, merits briefs, and other papers for filing in the Supreme Court on the United States' behalf.
• Finally, the Appellate Section supports the Fraud Division's broader enforcement portfolio by preparing and arguing motions in significant district court cases and by providing expert advice to trial attorneys and management regarding legal issues.
• Generally, as an Appellate Counsel, the incumbent: Assists attorneys in reviewing adverse decisions and recommending future action to Fraud Division senior management; Provides advice to attorneys in the Fraud Division's litigating sections on legal and policy issues, including by conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, or editing other attorneys' work product; Works with Fraud Division management to develop training relevant to litigation concerning recent appellate court decisions, new legislation, and other developing areas of the law; Assists in handling internal government requests for the Fraud Division, including from the Department of Justice and Congress; In collaboration with section managers, carries out and fosters effective investigations and prosecutions, including advising on strategy and legal complexities, and developing litigation priorities.
• Recommends charging decisions and proposes dispositions with regard to assigned cases.
• Engages in all phases of investigation and litigation, including, but not limited to, using the grand jury, advising federal law enforcement agents, utilizing international evidence collection tools, preparing appropriate pleadings, and litigating motions and trials before U.S. District Courts across the country.

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see ***

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at ***

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. ***

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, a review of submitted documents will be made to determine if applicants are qualified for this assignment.

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.

Documents you must provide

• Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience).
• Resume: Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume.
• Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Your resume must be no more than 2 pages.
• Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted.
• Please ensure all information you believe is qualifying for the position is contained within your resume, or you may be marked ineligible.
• Additionally, your resume must include your JD date and the following information for each job listed: month and year, start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Writing Sample: Not to exceed 10 pages.
• Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable): to prove appointment eligibility.
• Examples include: Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc. Current or Former Political Appointees (if applicable): please note on your resume and attach an SF-50.
• The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.
• Schedule A Documentation (if applicable): The Fraud Division welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department.
• Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable): If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions.
• If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at ***
• If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
• If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 *** and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable.
• If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at *** or call ***.

What to expect next

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the links below: Trial Attorney (Appellate Counsel) You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated by DOJ.

However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list. This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Legal Careers| Department of Justice (***)

Additional information

Salary This is a permanent position at the GS-14 or GS-15 grade level. The salary range for this position will be based on the duty location. See OPM's Web page at *** Number of Positions Multiple Travel The amount of travel can be significant.

Travel frequency and location varies and is based on the attorney's litigation schedule. Relocation Expenses Relocation expenses will not be authorized.