Trial Attorney

Department of Justice

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Summary

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page by following the links below:

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page.

Duties

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. This posting is for Trial Attorney positions within the Fraud Division's Global Trade & Commerce Enforcement Section. This announcement will be open until positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on or before October 16, 2026.

The Fraud Division's Global Trade & Commerce Enforcement Section investigates and prosecutes criminal import, trade, and other fraud offenses that undermine American industries, evade external revenue collection, threaten consumers' health and safety, finance foreign adversaries, promote forced labor through illegal trade practices, and violate United States laws and regulations governing domestic and foreign commerce. The experienced prosecutors assigned to the Section target criminal conduct across the entire supply chain, including bad actors operating as importers, trade brokers, manufacturers, down-chain distributors, warehousers, and resellers. In addition to directly investigating and prosecuting these matters and leading trial litigation in district court on behalf of the United States, prosecutors in the Section support the Fraud Division's broader mission by providing expert attorney-advisor guidance and strategic support to internal and external partners and leading the cross-agency Trade Fraud Task Force.

Job Description

The National Fraud Enforcement Division, U.S. Department of Justice is seeking qualified, experienced attorneys for permanent Trial Attorney positions in the Global Trade & Commerce Enforcement Section.

Generally, as a Trial Attorney, the incumbent:

In collaboration with section managers, carries out and fosters effective investigations and prosecutions, including advising on strategy and legal complexities, and developing litigation priorities.
Makes charging and disposition decisions or recommendations with regard to assigned cases.
Partners with Assistant U.S. Attorneys and attorneys in other federal law enforcement agencies to develop, manage, and prosecute complex trade, tariff, customs and related trade fraud cases, and illegal import schemes involving forced labor or goods imported in violation of statutory trade prohibitions against forced labor.
Engages in all phases of investigation and litigation, including, but not limited to, grand jury practice, advising federal law enforcement agents, using international evidence collection tools, preparing appropriate pleadings, and litigating motions and trials before U.S. District Courts across the country.
Advises and consults with Assistant U.S. Attorneys and agency partners on complicated questions of law and Departmental policy with respect to matters arising under federal trade, customs, external revenue, commerce laws, and forced labor import bans.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a United States Citizen or National.
You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
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 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:

Experience as a criminal prosecutor in federal or state court.
Experience as an attorney in private practice.
Experience as a judicial law clerk.
Experience litigating in U.S. District Court or state court.
Experience supporting, litigating, and supervising federal criminal cases.
Experience conducting investigations of organizations and entities, including corporations.
Experience investigating or prosecuting violations involving forced labor import bans, supply chain transparency, human trafficking, or related customs and trade fraud.
Experience coordinating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), or international law enforcement entities on complex global supply chain investigations.

Education

Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree.

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
One or more individuals may be selected from this announcement.

Travel
The amount of travel can be significant. Travel frequency and location vary and are 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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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

Required Documents

Listed in the 'How to Apply' section

How to Apply

Application Process

The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement. Interested attorneys should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and their most recent SF-50 (if applicable) in PDF format to frauddivisionhiring@usdoj.gov with the subject line in the following format: "Trial Attorney (Global Trade & Commerce Enforcement Section) - Last name, First name." If your application is not submitted in the requested format, it will not be considered.

A complete application package must include:

Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience).
Resume - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Your resume must be no more than 2 pages. Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted. Please ensure all information you believe is qualifying for the position is contained within your resume, or you may be marked ineligible. Additionally, your resume must include your JD date and the following information for each job listed: month and year, start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
Writing Sample: Not to exceed 10 pages.
SF-50 (if applicable) - Current or former federal employees and political appointees shouldnote this on their resume and include an SF-50 with their application documents. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.
Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples include: Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc.
Schedule A Documentation (if applicable) - The Fraud Division welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department.
Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable):

If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-started-with-va/ or call 1-800-827-1000.

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.

Agency contact information

Dimitra Christodoulides

Email: Dimitra.Christodoulides@usdoj.gov

Address: National Fraud Enforcement Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20530
US

Next steps

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

Trial Attorney Job in Location Negotiable After Selection