Assistant Federal Public Defender

Summary

The Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Louisiana is accepting applications for an experienced Assistant Federal Public Defender. The Federal Public Defender operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006(A), and provides criminal defense services to people charged with federal crimes who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/13/2024 to 06/28/2024

• Salary

$100,000 - $150,000 per year

Please see the "Clarification from the agency" section for more information.

• Pay scale & grade

AD 00

• Help

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• New Orleans, LA

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Occasional travel

• Periodic travel to visit clients in the prisons within the Eastern District of Louisiana. Additionally, travel may be required for out-of-district travel on a case-by-case basis. Travel may also be required for training events.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes-is allowed but reimbursement for moving expense will not be reimbursed/paid by the office.

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Direct-Hire Authority

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0905 Attorney

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

No

• Announcement number

DEST-12428102-24-CEB

• Control number

795969100

Help

This job is open to

• The public

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

Clarification from the agency

The salary of the Assistant Federal Defender may not exceed the maximum salary level established for that position by the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) and must conform to the AFD Appointment and Compensation Policies provided by the Defender Services Office. Information concerning the salary maximum for this position is updated as received from the EOUSA and is provided to all defender organizations.

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Duties

The Assistant Federal Defender (AFD) provides every aspect of legal representation to individuals charged with federal criminal offenses but who are unable to retain an attorney. Duties include trials and related hearings, witness representation, supervised release violations and other matters.

The Assistant Federal Defender performs tasks such as the following:

• Provides zealous, professional legal representation to his/her clients. Appears, on behalf of the client, in court hearings and at other related proceedings.

• Communicates with the court, opposing counsel, probation officers, witnesses, clients and the families of clients concerning case-related issues.

• Maintains in-depth and updated knowledge of criminal defense trial and appellate practices and case law. Develops expertise with the federal sentencing guidelines, understands the ethical obligations and restrictions and practices courtroom advocacy. Pursues all appropriate available training opportunities including local or nationally sponsored core training within the limits of funding, workload and defender organization approval.

• Prepares motions and briefs for consideration in federal magistrate and district courts.

• Prepares legal memoranda, review of issues, comprehensive statements of relevant facts, standards of review and briefs complex legal and factual arguments. Consults with investigative and legal staff regarding issues relevant to the case.

• Performs legal research utilizing all available resources including computer-assisted legal research tools. Research includes state and federal statutes, case law, regulations, precedents, treaties, sentencing guidelines, and related subject matter. Analyzes legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and related legal materials.

• Updates research and prepares for oral argument. Prioritizes issues, analyzes difficulties of the case.

• Continues development of strong written and verbal communication skills to enhance professional documentation and interpersonal interaction.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

The physical demands described are representative of those required in order for an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The individual frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The individual is frequently required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Frequent travel to court locations and detention facilities may be required. The individual works primarily in an office environment.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Assistant Federal Defender, the individual must demonstrate the requisite experience outlined in the Salary and Experience and Experience Requirements sections. The individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The job requirements are representative of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. The Assistant Federal Defender must be an attorney with knowledge of defense or prosecution services, in either the public or private sector. Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school, admitted and in good standing with a state bar or eligible for admission. Applicants must also be eligible for admission to the Eastern District of Louisiana. Qualified candidates must have an aptitude for trial practice, superior analytical ability, and be able to handle a full caseload immediately. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus, but not a requirement. The successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills, good judgment, the ability to prioritize and to work both independently and cooperatively. Commitment to the indigent and personal integrity are essential.

Progressively responsible experience as a lawyer in the functional areas described in the Primary Job Duties section above. Such experience provides evidence the individual has:

• the ability to coordinate the work of others;
• a comprehensive knowledge of legal principles, practices, methods and techniques;
• the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent facts and regulations, policies and precedents;
• skill and judgment in the analysis of cases and legal opinions;
• an understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence;
• experience performing progressively responsible duties as a lawyer; and
• the skills and ability to execute the duties of the position.

Education

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school, admitted and in good standing with a state bar or eligible for admission. Applicants must also be eligible for admission to the Eastern District of Louisiana.

• Benefits

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Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

More consideration will given to the applicants with the most criminal law experience in order to allow the newly hired individual to expeditiously take on a full district court caseload.

• Benefits

Help

Review our benefits

• Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

Resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

Please send a resume with cover letter, a writing sample, and three references to: heather_davis@fd.org

Agency contact information

Heather Davis

Email Heather_davis@fd.org

Address Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of Louisiana

500 Poydras Street, Suite 318

New Orleans, LA 70130

US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Qualified candidates will be contacted by email to schedule an interview.

• Fair and Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

• Financial suitability

• New employee probationary period

• Privacy Act

• Reasonable accommodation policy

• Selective Service

• Signature and false statements

• Social security number request

Help

Required Documents

Resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

How to Apply

Please send a resume with cover letter, a writing sample, and three references to: heather_davis@fd.org

Read more

Agency contact information

Heather Davis

Email Heather_davis@fd.org

Address Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of Louisiana

500 Poydras Street, Suite 318

New Orleans, LA 70130

US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Qualified candidates will be contacted by email to schedule an interview.

Read more

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

• Financial suitability

• New employee probationary period

• Privacy Act

• Reasonable accommodation policy

• Selective Service

• Signature and false statements

• Social security number request

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Help

Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/13/2024 to 06/28/2024

• Salary

$100,000 - $150,000 per year

Please see the "Clarification from the agency" section for more information.

• Pay scale & grade

AD 00

• Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• New Orleans, LA

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Occasional travel

• Periodic travel to visit clients in the prisons within the Eastern District of Louisiana. Additionally, travel may be required for out-of-district travel on a case-by-case basis. Travel may also be required for training events.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes-is allowed but reimbursement for moving expense will not be reimbursed/paid by the office.

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Direct-Hire Authority

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0905 Attorney

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

No

• Announcement number

DEST-12428102-24-CEB

• Control number

795969100

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/795969100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.