The United States Attorney's Office (USAO), having litigated a matter in which a decision adverse to the United States was rendered, should be kept apprised by the appellate components of the Department during the appeal determination process once the matter has been referred to the Office of the Solicitor General and the appropriate litigating division within the Department.

In this regard, the Office of the Solicitor General and the appropriate appellate section will promptly communicate with the concerned United States Attorney's Office regarding its respective anticipated appellate recommendation where such recommendation will be contrary to that of the United States Attorney in order to allow for an exchange of views. This communication should occur within a reasonable time before the final decision by the respective office on the appellate matter is made so that the United States Attorney can make known his or her views. The Office of the Solicitor General will communicate its decision in like fashion to the concerned appellate section of the litigating division within a reasonable period before the final decision on the appellate matter is made, when that decision is contrary to the recommendation of the affected appellate section.

Other communication outside of that outlined herein is recommended and encouraged to facilitate greater input from the trial attorney(s) and should include, but is not limited to, copies of internal memoranda recommending for or against some significant appellate action.

[updated July 2018]