Jobs at Federal Public Defender

Provides comprehensive paralegal support to attorneys handling federal capital and noncapital habeas litigation. Duties include case preparation, discovery management, document and ESI review, legal research support, expert productions, database and witness-file maintenance, citation checking, courtroom presentation, and records collection from courts and agencies. The role requires complex litigation experience, legal research and writing skills, travel, physical document handling, and flexibility for occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Represents death-sentenced and other habeas petitioners in federal post-conviction proceedings. Responsibilities include case investigation, transcript review, petition and brief drafting, supervising investigators and paralegals, working with experts, conducting evidentiary hearings, presenting oral arguments, and preparing clemency petitions. The attorney may also represent federal criminal defendants and noncapital habeas petitioners.

Investigates capital habeas cases for a federal public defender’s Capital Habeas Unit. Responsibilities include reviewing extensive case files and discovery, developing investigation plans, locating and interviewing witnesses, requesting records, preparing investigative reports and declarations, maintaining client relationships, assisting with hearings, and testifying when needed. The role requires OSINT proficiency, strong organization and communication skills, cultural competence, caseload management, travel, and flexibility for nights, weekends, and holidays.

Provides front-desk reception, customer service, clerical, telephone, mail, visitor-access, and message-distribution support in a Federal Public Defender’s office. Processes court emails, assists with document preparation and case-file management, maintains confidentiality, and supports general administrative assignments. Requires fluent English and Spanish, strong computer skills, professionalism with diverse and distressed individuals, and availability for an in-office Monday–Friday schedule.