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Posted March 18, 2026

Trial Attorney

Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section
Washington, D.C. Full Time
Compensation: $169,279 to $197,200 Annually
Reference: HumanRightsandSpecialProsecutionsSection861537500

The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) protects the American public and U.S. interests by investigating and prosecuting certain...

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The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) protects the American public and U.S. interests by investigating and prosecuting certain complex international immigration and violent crime cases over which the U.S. has jurisdiction. A J.D., or equivalent, degree.

Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than a J.D. may be subject to additional review by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management. The Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice is seeking qualified, experienced trial attorneys for the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), located in Washington, D.C., to serve on Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Attorney General's priority task force initiative, to investigate and prosecute the leaders and organizers of cartels and transnational criminal organizations involved in human smuggling and trafficking crimes throughout the Americas that impact the safety and security of our nation's borders and communities.

As a JTFA Trial Attorney at HRSP, the incumbent will:
  • Investigate and prosecute complex, proactive cases involving human smuggling and trafficking federal offenses and related complex immigration crimes, along with other activities related to violent crime and transnational organized crime, to include material support for terrorism, kidnapping/hostage taking, sexual assault and abuse, fraud, narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, offenses involving minors, and money laundering.
  • Collect evidence utilizing a myriad of techniques and tools, to potentially include Title III wiretaps, undercover law enforcement activities, and foreign-based evidence.
  • Advise and consult with HRSP/JTFA leadership and others on the status of all cases and matters.
  • Build and enhance relationships with partner Assistant United States Attorneys and prosecutors from other Department litigating components and offices to pursue human smuggling and trafficking investigations and prosecutions.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies and prosecutor counterparts that investigate and prosecute human smuggling, trafficking and related cases.
  • Advise federal prosecutors and law enforcement in developing investigative and prosecutorial strategies. Such advice will include providing guidance concerning search and seizure warrants, criminal and civil forfeiture allegations, international law enforcement coordination, indictments, and other pleadings.
  • Support the coordination and sharing of information and evidence between law enforcement offices to maximize the effectiveness of the Department's investigations, prosecutions, and forfeitures involving human smuggling, trafficking and related cases.
  • Interact with a variety of personnel from federal law enforcement agencies across the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and elsewhere, as well as the intelligence community and other organizations on cases and various projects and issues related to human smuggling and trafficking.
Required Qualifications:
Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of and experience with federal human smuggling and trafficking statutes, immigration law, and/or other federal violations relating to cartels and transnational organized crime.
  • Prior experience working on international criminal cases.
  • Experience working in or with U.S. Attorneys' Offices.
  • At least two (2) years' trial experience as a prosecutor or trial attorney handling criminal matters.
  • Experience investigating criminal matters involving complex or sensitive law enforcement techniques.
  • Spanish-language fluency is helpful but not required.

This listing expired on Apr 17. Applications are no longer accepted.

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