Job Description
Position Announcement 24-11: Assistant Federal Public Defender in Del Rio, Texas
Organization: Office of the Federal Public Defender, Western District of Texas
Job Title: Assistant Federal Public Defender
Experience: Graduate of an accredited law school, admitted to practice before a state bar (Texas bar license strongly preferred), and licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas prior to entry on duty. Spanish-language fluency required.
Salary: Commensurate with an assistant U.S. attorney with similar qualifications and experience. Offers federal government employment benefits, including participation in health and life insurance program, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan.
Duties: - Represent clients charged with federal criminal offenses and clients involved in other matters covered under the Criminal Justice Act - Work with clients, digest large case files and investigative materials, develop litigation strategies, draft pleadings, conduct evidentiary hearings and trials, work with experts and other witnesses, and supervise teams of investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and legal assistants - Requires travel for investigation, litigation, and training, and may involve foreign travel - Federal public defender attorneys may not engage in the private practice of law
Selection Criteria: - Strong writing and oral advocacy skills - Established capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice - Commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons - Reputation for integrity - Ability to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, staff, and court and agency personnel - Team-oriented and possess skills for collaboration, strategic litigation, compassionate representation, and unique approaches to the issues affecting clients - Preferred litigation experience in direct appeal, state post-conviction, or criminal proceedings. Other related experience may be considered.
How to Apply: Send a letter of interest (mentioning announcement 24-11), a résumé, references, and representative writing sample in a single PDF document named with applicant’s “last name, first name-Announcement 24-11 DR AFPD” by email to **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. For applicants with disabilities, reasonable accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact personnel administrator Victoria B. Longoria at **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. Position announced April 23, 2024, subject to the availability of funds; open until filled.
**MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***, is seeking an Assistant Federal Public Defender to be stationed in the Del Rio office. This position operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters to individuals unable to afford counsel. The successful applicant will have strong writing and oral advocacy skills, a commitment to representing indigent accused persons, and a reputation for integrity. Spanish-language fluency is required for this position. The salary is commensurate with an assistant U.S. attorney and offers federal government employment benefits.
The Assistant Federal Public Defender will be responsible for representing clients charged with federal criminal offenses and clients involved in other matters covered under the Criminal Justice Act. This includes working with clients, digesting large case files and investigative materials, developing litigation strategies, and conducting evidentiary hearings and trials. The position also requires travel for investigation, litigation, and training, and may involve foreign travel.
To be considered for this position, applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school, admitted to practice before a state bar (Texas bar license strongly preferred), and licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas prior to entry on duty. The successful applicant will also possess the ability to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, staff, and court and agency personnel. They must also be team-oriented and possess skills for collaboration, strategic litigation, compassionate representation, and unique approaches to the issues affecting clients. Preferred candidates will have litigation experience in direct appeal, state post-conviction, or criminal proceedings.
The salary for this position is commensurate with an assistant U.S. attorney with similar qualifications and experience. The position offers federal government employment benefits, including participation in health and life insurance program, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Applicants must submit a letter of interest, résumé, references, and representative writing sample in a single PDF document to be considered for this position.
The Office of the Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. This position is open until filled and more than one position may be filled from this announcement. Interested applicants should apply as soon as possible.
