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Trial Attorney

Department of Justice
Offices, Boards and Divisions
National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division), Appellate Section

Summary

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:

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this month · Apply by 09/30/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2026
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$107,446 - $164,301 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Promotion potential
15
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
75% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
DOJ-FRD-26-12986232-DE
Control number
873768700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or nationals

Duties

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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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
  • You must complete a background investigation to include pre-employment drug testing.
  • Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
  • You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit of salary.
  • J.D. degree required, must be an active member of the bar, any jurisdiction.
  • Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

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.

Grade Specific Qualifications:

  • To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least two and a half (2.5) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
  • 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: Your qualifications will be further evaluated based upon the following competencies:

  • Federal appellate court clerkship.
  • Experience drafting federal appellate briefs and presenting oral argument before federal courts of appeal.
  • Knowledge of white collar criminal enforcement practice.
  • Experience in supporting and litigating federal or state criminal cases.

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 www.ed.gov.

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 https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2026/general-schedule/

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging career? Join the U.S. Department of Justice! The Department of Justice (DOJ) leads the nation in ensuring the protection of all Americans while preserving their constitutional freedoms. As a Justice employee you'll be a member of a team where you can achieve your career goals and apply your skills and talents to our important mission. Read more about the exciting opportunities available.

Mission: DOJ is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights.

Core Values:

  1. Independence and Impartiality. DOJ works each day to earn the public's trust by following the facts and the law wherever they may lead, without prejudice or improper influence.
  2. Honesty and Integrity. DOJ's employees adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior, mindful that, as public servants, we must work to earn the trust of, and inspire confidence in, the public we serve.
  3. Respect. DOJ's employees value differences in people and in ideas and treat everyone with fairness, dignity, and compassion.
  4. Excellence.DOJ works every day to provide the highest levels of service to the American people and to be a responsible steward of the taxpayers' dollars.

Agency contact information

Weston Sperbeck
Email
weston.v.sperbeck@usdoj.gov
Address
National Fraud Enforcement Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20530
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Offices, Boards and Divisions, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.justice.gov/fraud

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