Civil Assistant United States Attorney

Our mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States, provide Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and to administer and enforce the Nation's laws to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. We strive to maintain the high standards of the office by promoting professional development. We seek to build a legacy of excellence.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree by Enter on Duty (EOD) date. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Montana litigates all cases on behalf of the United States. Its primary role is to prosecute federal crimes and defend federal agencies. The Montana USAO has offices in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula. The Civil Division handles a wide array of cases at both the trial and appellate levels: If you want to get into court and practice at the highest level, this is the job for you. Cases can involve medical malpractice, endangered species, oil spills, civil rights, immigration, police pursuits, Native American relations, public lands access, wrongful death, employment discrimination, and the full panoply of constitutional issues.
Our office places a high value on diversity of experience and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.

The United States Attorney is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA). The successful applicant will represent the U.S. Government in court on a wide range of unique and complex cases in the District of Montana. This position will focus on defensive civil litigation, including all contested case hearings (motions to dismiss and for summary judgment), trials (bench and jury), and Ninth Circuit appellate arguments in the types of cases referenced above. Most often, civil cases involve torts, employment, administrative law (including environmental), Bivens, public lands, civil rights, and constitutional causes of action. Our practice covers every aspect of civil litigation from the time the case is filed, through pre-trial planning, discovery, pretrial motions, trial, and appeal. The position may be located in the Missoula, Helena, or Billings offices.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

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 (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:
Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. The ideal candidate will have:

• Superior oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• High emotional quotient, interpersonal skills, and good judgment;
• Excellent advocacy and courtroom skills;
• The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies;
• A demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment;
• Excellent organizational capabilities, including the ability to track and meet deadlines across multiple active cases;
• Excellent computer literacy including experience and competence with automated electronic court filing.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.