Law Clerk – Criminal Prosecution

Job Description

Law Clerk | United States Attorneys’ Offices

The Tone:
This is an early career position at the United States Attorneys’ Offices, located in Washington, DC. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is unique, serving as both the local prosecutor for DC Code offenses and the federal prosecutor for U.S. Code violations within the nation’s capital. This role is integral to a well-respected team, supporting the investigation and prosecution of a wide range of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to homicides, across Superior Court, Criminal, and Appellate Divisions. Successful candidates will contribute directly to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution through their commitment to public service.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Washington, DC

• Team: Within a well-respected team responsible for investigating and prosecuting criminal cases; operates within the Superior Court, Criminal, or Appellate Divisions.
• Mission: To assist attorneys in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with prosecuting a broad assortment of criminal cases.
• Tech Stack: Westlaw, Lexis

What You’ll Actually Do
• Conduct Legal Research & Writing: Perform extensive legal research utilizing Westlaw/Lexis and draft various legal documents, including motions, orders, and memoranda.
• Assist with Case Preparation: Provide support to attorneys by aiding in trial preparation, attending hearings, and conducting witness interviews for a range of criminal cases.
• Manage Case Information: Review incoming complaints, petitions, and pleadings, and actively monitor changes in federal law and court precedent relevant to ongoing cases.
• Provide Administrative Support: Organize and manage case files, prepare exhibits for court presentations, and maintain legal libraries to ensure resources are current.
• Facilitate Communication: Act as a primary liaison, ensuring effective communication flows between judicial chambers, various offices, and assigned attorneys.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level. Applicants must have completed a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law within the previous year. Specifically, law school graduates who received their JD prior to June 1, 2025 are not eligible. United States citizenship is a strict requirement for this position.
• Experience: Requires a class rank within the top 1/3 of the law school class or a grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0. Prior experience in legal research and writing is expected given the work assignments. Bar membership is not required for the initial appointment, but successful conversion to an attorney position requires bar admission.
• Skills: Proficient legal research using Westlaw/Lexis, strong legal writing, critical analytical skills, meticulous case preparation support, comprehensive case file management, effective exhibit preparation, maintaining legal libraries, and clear interpersonal communication abilities.
• Bonus: Demonstrated strong academics, excellent legal writing skills, proven analytical capabilities, and a foundational knowledge of Federal regulations and case law are highly preferred.