Job Details for Capital Habeas Attorney
| Court Name/Organization: | California Central Federal Public Defender |
| Overview of the Position: | The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for full-time attorney positions in its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU), stationed in Los Angeles or Santa Ana, California. The CHU advocates for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of indigent persons sentenced to death. We provide the highest quality representation in post-conviction proceedings through diversity of experience, collaborative and thorough case development, focused litigation strategies, and skilled courtroom advocacy. The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply |
| Location: | Los Angeles, CA |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 04/01/2024 - 05/03/2024 |
| Appointment Type: | Permanent |
| Salary: | $84,366 - $191,800 |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | https://fpdcdca.org/careers/current-openings/ |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
Job Duties: CHU attorneys represent death-sentenced inmates from California and other states in their federal habeas corpus proceedings. Attorneys in the CHU are expected to work on all stages of capital habeas cases, from pre-petition investigation through Supreme Court proceedings and clemency. General areas of responsibility include summarizing trial transcripts, drafting habeas corpus petitions, supervising teams of investigators and paralegals, directing investigation, working with experts, conducting evidentiary hearings, drafting briefs, presenting oral arguments, and drafting clemency petitions. In addition to representing capital inmates in their habeas proceedings, CHU attorneys represent noncapital habeas petitioners and federal criminal defendants.
Qualification
Requirements: All applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and be members in good standing of the California Bar or must be willing to sit for the next California Bar exam, if they are a member in good standing of another Bar. Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years of experience in state and/or federal criminal law, complex civil litigation, death penalty litigation, or habeas corpus litigation, or applicants with state or federal judicial clerkship experience.
Selection Criteria: Candidates must possess a commitment to the defense of death sentenced individuals; must have superior oral and written communication skills; and work well in teams. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to work well with clients from diverse social, economic, and ethnic groups as well as with clients experiencing mental health issues.
A background investigation is required as a condition of employment. In line with current federal appropriations law, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described here: USCourts.gov.
Benefits
Salary/Benefits:
This is a full-time, at-will position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is subject to direct deposit. Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. After successful completion of a probationary period, eligible employees may elect to telework up to two days per week, subject to certain conditions. For more information on benefits, see USCourts.gov.
How To Apply
Apply by emailing a letter of interest, résumé, two representative writing samples (limited to 15 pages each), and three references in a single PDF document addressed to Cuauhtemoc Ortega, Federal Public Defender, at Employment@fpdcdca.org with the subject line: Capital Habeas Attorney Application All application materials must be received by Friday, May 3, 2024, however, interviews will occur on a rolling basis and the open position may be filled before that date. The Federal Public Defender’s Office may fill future positions from this vacancy announcement. Please, no phone calls.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.