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Experienced Attorney Hiring Process

How to Apply for Experienced Attorney Positions

Experienced attorney hiring is decentralized and each office and component within Justice conducts its own recruitment process. Attorneys can apply to specific vacancy announcements or can submit a resume and cover letter describing their interest and highlighting their relevant experience to each organization where they wish to be considered for employment.

Eligibility for Experienced Attorney Positions

Any attorney who is an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) and has at least one year post-J.D. experience is eligible to apply for an experienced attorney position although some positions may require additional legal experience. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices may have state specific admission requirements.

What Kind of Experience Do Justice Organizations Seek?

Given the scope of Justice’s legal practice the needs of each organization and section are defined by its respective mission, areas of practice, and the specific skills needed at the time of the vacancy. Generally, as the “Nation’s Litigator,” Justice seeks attorneys with some litigation experience; however, opportunities also exist for attorneys with other types of experience, such as legislative review, policy formulation, and legal advising.

Geographic Areas of Assignment

Some offices and components within Justice only offer employment opportunities in Washington, D.C. Other organizations, such as the Antitrust Division, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Trustee Program, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Environment and Natural Resources Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have field offices located in cities nationwide. The 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are organized into districts and located in every state and territory.


The next attorney recruitment event is October 25-28, 2011 in Dallas, Texas.