Trial Attorney

Hiring Organization

Criminal Division (CRM)

Hiring Office

Capital Case Section (CCS)

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Permanent

Job ID

27-CRM-CCS-004

Location:

Washington, DC - United States

Application Deadline:

Tuesday, December 1, 2026

About the Office

Capital Case Section (CCS) attorneys work with United States Attorneys’ Offices in relation to all aspects of capital prosecutions including acting as co-counsel in federal capital trials, assisting with the preparation of submissions of capital-eligible cases for Department review, providing guidance on death penalty related aspects of the pre-trial and trial process, and periodically assisting on direct appeals and collateral review under 18 U.S.C. § 2255.

CCS attorneys assist the Attorney General’s Review Committee on Capital Cases in reaching its recommendation to the Attorney General in deciding whether the death penalty should be sought in each capital-eligible case submitted pursuant to the Department of Justice death penalty protocol.

CCS also provides training and resource materials to federal prosecutors for handling capital cases; provides advice and staff support to senior Department officials on policy matters related to handling capital cases; drafts and/or reviews proposed legislation, amendments, regulations, testimony, briefing materials, public statements, and correspondence on capital punishment issues; and collects and maintains current information and materials for a brief bank and resource center for capital prosecutors.

Job Description

The Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice is seeking qualified, experienced trial attorneys in the Capital Case Section (CCS) located in Washington, DC.

As a Trial Attorney for the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section (CCS), the incumbent:

• Conducts analysis of new cases received from the United States Attorneys’ Offices and Department components charging a crime punishable by death. Section attorneys advise the Attorney General’s Capital Case Review Committee in its factual and legal evaluation of cases submitted to the Department for review regarding whether the death penalty should be sought in each capital-eligible case.
• Litigates all phases of federal capital cases, with a particular focus on those aspects unique to capital cases, including pre-trial motions and hearings, capital jury selection, penalty phase evidentiary presentations, and jury instructions.
• Provides training on the Department’s capital case litigation. Section attorneys provide legal, procedural, and policy guidance to United States Attorneys’ Offices and Department components handling capital investigations and prosecutions.
• In collaboration with USAOs, Section attorneys advise in the preparation of legal memoranda, such as proposed legislation, amendments, regulations, testimony, briefing materials, public statements, and correspondence on capital punishment issues.
• Collects and maintains trial and appellate materials related to federal capital prosecutions. Section attorneys partner with USAOs in the development and management of current information and materials which act as a resources center for capital prosecutors.
• Assists in the development of Department policies and procedures related to federal capital prosecutions.

Qualifications

Required: 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:

• Experience in supporting, litigating, and supervising criminal cases in federal or state courts.
• Experience handling violent crime cases.
• Experience handling federal criminal prosecutions on behalf of the U. S. Department of Justice.
• Experience in preparing and submitting cases pursuant to the U.S. Department of Justice's death penalty protocol.
• Experience trying capital cases.

Application Process

The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.

Please submit your application through USAJOBS. The list of required documents can be found in the USAJOBS announcement.

• If you do not already have an account, please create a USAJOBS account before applying Create an Account You will be able to upload your resume and supporting documents and complete your profile prior to applying.
• Once you have an account, apply to the USAJOBS vacancy: USAJOBS

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.

Salary

The salary range for this position is $169,279-$197,200 per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM's Web page at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2026/general-schedule/.