Department of Justice

Assistant United States Attorney (Civil Division)

Madison, Wisconsin Full time

Assistant United States Attorney (Civil Division)

Department: Department of Justice

Location(s): Madison, Wisconsin

Salary Range: $73939 - $193394 Per Year

Job Summary: The United States Attorney's Office is seeking a highly-qualified and experienced candidate to fill a vacant Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) position in its Civil Division. This position will supervise the Civil Division while carrying an active caseload. The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Wisconsin is in Madison, Wisconsin. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Major Duties:

  • The position offers the opportunity to perform public service, and to investigate and litigate a broad range of complex and challenging affirmative and defensive cases. While this is a permanent AUSA position in the Civil Division-subject to successfully passing a background and probationary period if applicable-the supervisory component of this position is temporary and at-will and may be returned to a non-supervisory AUSA position at the discretion of the United States Attorney. This AUSA will supervise the work of Civil AUSAs and support staff in both defensive (e.g., employment discrimination, torts, challenges to agency determinations) and affirmative civil litigation (e.g., health care fraud, government fraud). Additionally, this person will supervise active practices in bankruptcy, collections, Social Security, Freedom of Information Act requests to the United States, and more. This AUSA will also carry an active civil caseload. Assignments will include all aspects of civil litigation, including: researching legal issues; drafting and responding to discovery requests; conducting document review and organization; taking or defending depositions; preparing dispositive and procedural motions; and handling trials and appeals. This AUSA will also participate in managing the office with the United States Attorney, First Assistant United States Attorney, other Division Supervisors, and the Senior Litigation Counsel. This AUSA may be assigned additional duties at the discretion of the United States Attorney. Such case assignments may include, but are not limited to, habeas corpus cases, actions brought under the Freedom of Information Act, actions seeking federal court review of the administrative actions of federal agencies, actions to defend and/or enforce subpoenas, and the collection of debts owed to the government, including foreclosure, and student loan cases. 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.

Qualifications: Required Qualifications: Applicants must have at least three (3) years of experience as an AUSA, a manager of civil attorneys assigned to complex civil litigation, or comparable legal experience. Current AUSAs seeking the position must have at least a "Successful" performance rating for the last evaluation year. All applicants must have a J.D. degree, be U.S. citizens, be active members of the bar (any jurisdiction), and not have received any disciplinary action within the past five years from the date of the application. Applicants must be devoted to justice, excellence, and public service; have a very strong ability to research and analyze complex legal and factual issues; write clearly and persuasively; communicate effectively; possess a strong work ethic; exhibit good organizational skills; exercise fair and sound judgment; pay careful attention to facts and details; possess computer and electronic discovery knowledge; work well both independently and on a team; be willing to volunteer to help other attorneys; be able to negotiate effectively with opposing counsel; and be capable of trial work and appellate advocacy. Preferred Qualifications: Applicants should be able to demonstrate by experience, knowledge, or training that they understand basic leadership and managerial skills. Preferred AUSA applicants would have an overall rating of "Outstanding" for the last evaluation year. Because the AUSA will represent and supervise AUSAs who represent the United States' interests in state court proceedings, preferred qualifications will include candidates who are members of the Wisconsin Bar or who are eligible for immediate Admission on Proof of Practice into the Wisconsin Bar. 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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances. Training: A person selected for a supervisory position for the first time will be required to attend the Justice Leadership Institute, or a Legal Issues for Managers Seminar. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

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 12/24/2025 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 Western District of Wisconsin at (608) 250-5456 or email at MATTHEW.MAL.LESPERANCE@USDOJ.GOV, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-24