Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal & Civil - Rockford)

Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal & Civil - Rockford) Hiring Organization USAO Northern District of Illinois Hiring Office Rockford, IL Attorney Appointment Type Attorney Permanent Job ID AUSA-NDIL-26-6

Location:

327 S. Church Street Room 3300 Rockford, IL 61101 - United States

Application Deadline:

Sunday, May 10, 2026 About the Office The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois (NDIL) has more than 160 Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) working in its Criminal and Civil Divisions. NDIL has two offices, one located in Chicago and the other in Rockford. Criminal AUSAs handle a wide variety of cases, including drug trafficking, firearms and other violent crime offenses, immigration offenses, terrorism-related offenses, cyber-crimes, and a variety of fraud, public corruption, and white-collar offenses. Criminal AUSAs represent the United States in grand jury and judicial proceedings in United States District Court and appeals in the United States Court of Appeals. Civil AUSAs handle an array of defensive and affirmative litigation on behalf of the United States, its agencies, and employees before the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals. Defensive litigation includes medical malpractice and other personal injury cases, employment discrimination cases, challenges to agency actions, FOIA, and immigration. Affirmative matters include civil rights, environmental, food and drug, along with health care and other civil fraud cases. All AUSAs are responsible for substantial legal research and writing. The dynamic practice in the Office is both challenging and demanding. It represents an extraordinary opportunity and privilege to represent the United States and to participate in all aspects of federal criminal or civil law and practice. Job Description The Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Office is accepting applications for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) openings to serve jointly in our Civil and Criminal Divisions in Rockford, Illinois. The applicants selected will represent the U.S. Government as an AUSA in a wide range of unique and complex cases. When working on civil matters, AUSAs will focus on handling prisoner litigation. These cases include tort claims (including medical malpractice claims), various constitutional Bivens claims, Religious Freedom Restoration Act claims, and petitions for writs of habeas corpus challenging the fact or length of confinement. When working on criminal matters, AUSAs will handle a wide variety of cases, involving violent crimes and firearms offense, drug trafficking crimes, and a variety of fraud, public corruption, and white-collar offenses. The percentage of time devoted to the civil and criminal dockets is likely to vary over time, and will be driven by mission needs. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Qualifications Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience. Preferred qualifications: Excellent academics, significant litigation experience, civil law experience (for our Civil Division), strong legal writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. United States citizenship is required.